Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

Lets be frank here. While I agree with some of what other readers have posted here, I must say that I am most disapointed with Morris' index and bibliography. However, the content is thorough and sucinct. I might add that this text is better organized then his other text "Readings in Military History" (Pearson Education Inc. (C) 2004). That book has no index to speak of.

The problem, I think, with the in-chapter "suggested readings" bibs is that they refer to outdated texts. History is a dynamic and ever changing subject as new research and discoveries prove or contradict popular thinking. I would agree that some of the maps are in need of "clarity" in order to present a better picture of battlefield events.

However, it goes without question that Morris is fully versed and a thoughtful writer.

I recommend as either additional or alternative reading:For the Common Defense