America's Armed Forces: A History (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

James M. Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0133107809 | ISBN-13: 978-0133107807 | Edition: 2

Well-received in its first edition, this candid and popular study provides an interesting, readable account of American military history from the late fifteenth-century British-French Wars in Colonial America to the recent Gulf War. Written in an easy-to-understand manner void of extraneous detail, the book integrates innovative and fascinating mini-biographies of key figures in U.S. military history, giving readers added insight and the opportunity to gain an appreciation of these remarkable people throughout their careers. It examines the impact of technology on warfare with descriptions and photographs of weapons of war from earliest times to the present; adds a final chapter to update coverage of American military developments; reflects the changes that have taken place in the world, the nation, and the military services since 1990; and supplements material with approximately 50 quality illustrations and 20 informative maps. For service academy historians; military history departments.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Highlighting the central individuals in American military history, this study provides a readable and interesting account of American military history from the late fifteenth century British-French Wars in Colonial America to the recent Gulf War.

From the Back Cover

Well-received in its first edition, this candid and popular study provides an interesting, readable account of American military history from the late fifteenth-century British-French Wars in Colonial America to the recent Gulf War. Written in an easy-to-understand manner void of extraneous detail, the book integrates innovative and fascinating mini-biographies of key figures in U.S. military history, giving readers added insight and the opportunity to gain an appreciation of these remarkable people throughout their careers. It examines the impact of technology on warfare with descriptions and photographs of weapons of war from earliest times to the present; adds a final chapter to update coverage of American military developments; reflects the changes that have taken place in the world, the nation, and the military services since 1990; and supplements material with approximately 50 quality illustrations and 20 informative maps. For service academy historians; military history departments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (September 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0133107809
• ISBN-13: 978-0133107807
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent US military history book, January 4, 2007

By 

Cyborg009 "JEC" (California) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: America's Armed Forces: A History (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is a must read for any beginner military history buff, and more specifically it should be required reading for every military member as part of PME. While it does not go into details for all the major US battles, it does a very good job of covering the US military history from colonization all the way to the Gulf War (1991).
JEC

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Military History, December 16, 2006

By 

Lehigh History Student (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: America's Armed Forces: A History (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

For those looking for a general overview of the strategy and tactics that are armed forces have employed over its history than look no further. This book is very well written and organized allowing you to reference parts of military history. There are miniature biographies of various generals that will spark your interest and make you want to read more. If you are doing a survey of American Military history this is an essential book to have. It is very easily readable and Morris does an excellent job of defining the difference between strategy and tactics and then going over both throughout our history. It goes up through the first gulf war and gives a suggestion as to what the future will bring.

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, February 21, 2010

By 

M. Tyson (Oak Harbor, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: America's Armed Forces: A History (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I am using this book as the primary text for an American Military History course. I find the topics covered thoroughly, but not organized very well. Interrelated topics or events occuring along the same timeline are often covered pages appart. This leaves the narrative of the events/history a bit disjointed and difficult to piece together and compare. Overall it is an excellent source.