The wars of America [Hardcover]

Robert Leckie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1981

"Leckie treats not the causes of our wars, nor the controversies that have always attended them, nor their results, so often equivocal, debatable, or flatly disappointing, but the manner in which they were fought, their leadership, their pages of glory and of shame."--Allan Nevins, Saturday Review.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Comprehensive and in-depth coverage of all America's conflicts from 1600 to 1900. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1160 pages
• Publisher: Harper & Row; Rev. and updated ed edition (1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060125713
• ISBN-13: 978-0060125714
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,421,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Like a fine wine ..., August 15, 2000

By 

Charles F. Hawkins - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wars of America (Hardcover)

The taste of the delicious thoughts in Robert Leckie's comprehensive history of America's wars is high treat for the intellectual palate. "Though America can become martial," Leckie informs, "she has never been militarist. The distinction is a great one, and it is hoped that a knowledge of American military history may help us to maintain it." One finishes "The Wars of America" with a sense of wanting more. Leckie has done his job.

A Marine veteran of World War II, Leckie has lived part of the history he relates. First published in 1968, it is good to see updated editions available ... testimony to the staying power of the kind of brisk, insightful history that Leckie presents.

"The Wars of America" is as solid a historical foundation as is available, and provides a splendid starting point for more detailed examinations of different periods of American military history. Although Leckie purposefully did not list his bibliographic sources (they would have been too voluminous to publish), he does cite the primary ones in the introduction. A few cross reference checks show that his research was indeed extensive and his knowledge impressive.

I truly hope that you enjoy this work as I have.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once again America is at war, January 14, 2002

By 

CHRIS DOAN (WINNIPEG, MANITOBA CANADA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wars of America (Hardcover)

Leckie writes a superb narrative history that contains among other things his political philosophy, his love of country and his profound Catholic beleifs. 'America' writes Leckie 'Has by force of arms become the most powerful nation of all time.' He goes on to say that 'although America has been martial, it has never been militaristic, and the distinction is a great one.' Numerous other gems are contained throughout. 'There exists the myth in America that it has always been the most peaceful of nations.' This is false, Leckie says. The truth is actually that 'America is the most fightingist society to ever emerge' and that the United States has fought and won more military engagements then any other nation. With America once again at war this is the perfect book to review who we are, where we came from and the role that the 'footslogger with the rifle' has played throughout our history. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembrance of the Army, November 24, 2010

By 

William Graves "wGraves" (Squaw Valley California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wars of America (Hardcover)

I read 'The Wars of America' in 1968, the year of it's publication. It's immensely readable, which boosted my retention rate to a very high level. As a reservist, I reported for active duty at USATC Fort Ord CA on 1 December of 1969. Part of our basic training was attending a military history class where a young lieutenant made the mistake of asking us to show a hand if we could name a war that America had fought. Because of Robert Leckie, I could name them all of course. I don't think the lieutenant ever recovered...at least he was more careful thereafter when tempted to ask a patronizing question of us privates. As an aside, it's amazing how often King Philip's War is mentioned in print, despite it's apparent obscurity. The volume is well worth $34.90 new or $1.26 used. The kids will be surprised how interesting history can be if they don't leave out the good stuff.