The Army [Hardcover]

Harold Nelson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2001

In 1775, determined and angry colonists took up arms against a common foe, and their battle cries signaled the birth of the United States Army. The Army has been forged in the fires of revolution, tested on continental battlefields, battered at the shores of Normandy, and hardened on the sands of the Persian Gulf. From its first stand at Lexington, the Army has always had a non-negotiable contract with the American people to fight and win the nation's wars.

Now, over 225 years after the founding of the Continental Army, the spirit and essence of the United States Army is celebrated for the first time in a definitive, magnificently illustrated, large format book published with the Army Historical Foundation.

Written by an outstanding team, The Army has over 350 pages of riveting and informative text and stories of the Army experience. Essays on U.S. Army history and today's soldiers focus not only on the tanks, helicopters, vehicles, and weapons, but especially on the people that make it all work. The thoughtful incorporation of full-color and vintage photography, portraits, recruiting posters, and historically inspired paintings complements the text while adding the excitement that only spectacular illustrations can bring to a book.

This book enables the history of America's Army to be cherished permanently in a handsome package that every soldier will be proud to own and--with its unique medallion-inlaid cover--to display. This book will be read again and again by past and present soldiers, their families and friends, and the countless others that have been inspired by the exploits of the United States Army.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A compelling pictorial and historical review. . . I gained many new insights about the Army from reading this book. -- General John Wickham, former Chief of Staff, United States Army

A richly deserved salute to the men and women who have served and are serving in the Army. -- Edward M. Coffman, Professor emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Author, The Old Army & The War To End All Wars

A spectacular presentation. . . This book will find a special place in the homes of all those who call themselves soldiers. -- General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army Retired

Nearly 400 years of our Army . . . in a book worthy of all their sacrifices for our nation! -- General Edward C. Meyer, former Chief of Staff, United States Army

About the Author

Brigadier General Harold Nelson, USA (Ret.) is president of the Army Historical Foundation. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1963 and served as an artillery officer in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany. In 1989 General Nelson became the Chief of Military History for the U.S. Army. He taught on the faculty at West Point.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Universe (September 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883631016
• ISBN-13: 978-0883631010
• Product Dimensions: 14.7 x 10.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > History > Military > Pictorials

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it for the Pictures and Painting Alone, December 30, 2001

By 

Niel Smith (Leavenworth, KS, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Army (Hardcover)

As an active duty Captain I was given this book by my father who is an Army Colonel. A great tabletop/bookshelf book with a history of the army which is enlightening, particulary the many photos and captions. The history in the chapters themselves is somewhat simplistic and "politically correct." Some of the Army's less glorious moments are conviently written out or glossed over or sanatized rather than dealt with in a forthright manner - i.e. the Indian wars, Civil War (southern generals are pictured but not discussed in depth), Bonus Marchers, etc. This doesn't take away from it being an excellent primer on the Army, its history, organization, values, and goals.

The many included paintings from Don Stivers, Rick Reeves, Mort Kunstler really make this edition shine. I think nearly every US Army Stivers print has made it into this edition. If you love military art this is a great value.

Four out of five stars for the sanitized P.C. history of the army. Five for the illustrations, paintings, pictures, and nice binding of this edition. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a well illustrated U.S Army history, and I get many comments on it from visitors who spot it as a coffee table book in my home.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great add to my Military Room collection, October 13, 2010

By 

D. Townsend "atruesoldier" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Army (Hardcover)

I just retired from the Military and was looking for this book everywhere. I found it at other sites but they wanted far more than i paid on Amazon. Thanks Amazon you keep us happy.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars does not include the nike missile program, October 11, 2010

By 

wayne scarpaci "wayne" (gardnerville nv us) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Army (Hardcover)

As the single largest peacetime program the army had from 1947-1974, one would think at least passing mention would be made of the ARADCOM program (Army Regional Air Defense Command) and the Nike Ajax, Nike Hercules anti aircraft missiles (Nike Hercules had 501 16-20 missile batteries located worldwide) As well as the canceled Sentinel and Safeguard ABM programs. But there is nary a word about any of them in this volume. To me (A Nike Vet)this makes this volume a very poor reference indeed, and a significantly incomplete book on the US Army. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1 star is it's beautiful presentation.

(If you Love your freedom thank a vet, if you Love just being here thank a Nike/Cold War Vet)