"Koistinen has long been a recognized authority on the World War II economic mobilization. In this book, he cements his mastery of it. . . . This book provides a valuable foundation and guide to those who study World War II to understand the origins of the postwar power structure."--Journal of Interdisciplinary History"Koistinen's study of America's mobilization effort during World War II is meticulously researched, well organized, and highly detailed. If it were simply these things, it would be a magnificent contribution to a richly studied period. But it is a great deal more. Koistinen traces, with understated but riveting thoroughness, the recovery of the power of big business in twentieth-century America and its fateful alliance with a virtually unrestrained, authoritarian American military."--American Historical Review
"Should become both an essential source on its subject and obligatory reading for serious students of American political development."--Journal of American History
"The book is basically about the politics of industrial production as experienced by the civilian war managers, and on that subject, it is definite."--The International History Review
"Koistinen has set himself the formidable task of writing a detailed, authoritative, solely-authored history of the way America has harnessed its economy during times of war."--Parameters
"Like the endeavor it examines, Arsenal of World War II is massive, impressive, and contentious. . . . This is primarily a detailed and deeply analytical history of the Washington struggle among New Deal supporters, big business, and the military over industrial mobilization. Lucidly written and based largely on research in a tremendous volume of archival material, it is the best overall treatment of its subject . . . . There is great substance in this book . . . . It is essential reading for scholars of the home front."--Journal of Military History
"Of epic proportions. Meticulously researched in both primary and secondary sources, this is another installment on the evolution of the United States as a developing industrial country. . . . An essential scholarly work on the subject."--H-Net Reviews
"For students of the history of American military-industrial relations, the work of Paul A. C. Koistinen has long been required reading. . . . [This book] is likely to be seen as the most important single work in Koistinen's opus."--Business History Review
"Essential."--Choice
"In this monumental and magisterial work, Koistinen . . . demonstrates, more deeply and broadly than any other scholar, how the federal government directed the American war effort."--EH.NET Reviews
"In this fourth installment of his magisterial history of the political economy of American warfare, Koistinen provides a brilliant and probing analysis of the conflicts among New Dealers, corporate managers, and military leaders that created an industrial-military alliance. . . . Will emerge quickly as the defining interpretation of the economic mobilization experience."--Patrick D. Reagan, author of Designing a New America: The Origins of New Deal Planning, 1890-1943
"Koistinen, our leading historian of the American warfare state, tells this epochal story with the insight and authority it so clearly deserves."--Nelson Lichtenstein, author of State of the Union: A Century of American Labor
"A truly outstanding achievement."--George McJimsey, author of The Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
In this fourth installment of his magisterial history of the political economy of American warfare, Koistinen provides a brilliant and probing analysis of the conflicts among New Dealers, corporate managers, and military leaders that created an industrial-military alliance. . . . Will emerge quickly as the defining interpre-tation of the economic mobilization experience.--Patrick D. Reagan, author of Designing a New America: The Origins of New Deal Planning, 18901943Koistinen, our leading historian of the American warfare state, tells this epochal story with the insight and authority it so clearly deserves.--Nelson Lichtenstein, author of State of the Union: A Century of American Labor
A truly outstanding achievement.--George McJimsey, author of The Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
About the Author
Paul A. C. Koistinen is emeritus professor of history at California State University-Northridge.
