America in Arms, John McAuley Palmer, a review
I’ll conclude my chronological review here, as the author enters the narrative in first person while signed to Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War. Suffice it to say, Palmer’s recounting of “how” we have traditionally organized our army is a very informative read. I have seen many “reading lists” of generals and leaders, but haven’t seen this old book on any of those lists—it should be. The “tribal” disconnect between the regular army and the National Guard is explained (not in so many words, mind you), and Palmer’s recounting of the dangerous power of doctrine and dogma is worth the read. The writer of the biblical book Ecclesiastes said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” In America in Arms, military personnel and general reader will find that many of today’s challenges have been challenges since our Founding.
This book has my highest recommendation—especially if you are a serving army officer or have interest in American military organization. This is a great old book. Get a copy; Palmer has much to teach us.
Postscript: Another friend of this blog, Lexington Green, recommended Citizen and Soldiers: The Dilemmas of Military Service, by Eliot Cohen, in the comments to the same post posted at chicagoboyz.net. On Lex’s recommendation, I ordered and have Cohen’s book, but have not yet read.
Second Postscript: I purchased America in Arms from a used book dealer on abe.com, and was fortunate to get a first edition hardback (ex-library book) in excellent condition. This particular title spent time on the shelves of The Catlin Memorial Free Library, Springfield Center, NY, and was placed there by the Arthur Larned Ryerson Memorial; Mr. Ryerson perished on the Titanic. In addition, this particular edition was also published by Yale by the Foundation established in the memory of Philip Hamilton McMillan (check the wife and children entry), Yale Class of 1894. Quite a pedigree for any book; a book that will remain safely in my collection. (the photo above is a snap-shot of my copy)
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zen:
February 28th, 2012 at 3:53 am
Superb review Scott! well worth the wait!
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” Root and his use of Upton’s work made an indelible mark on the army, and in many ways made the army more professional and able. On the downside, I sense Root provided the shell of what is now the massive military bureaucracy.”
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Astute observation. Root overturned the old Army system beloved of Southern Senators to keep the US Army ineffective and unprofessional as an act of revenge for Reconstruction and Sherman’s March to the Sea, but he opened the door to Weberian bureaucracy in uniform
J.ScottShipman:
February 28th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Hi Zen,
.
Many thanks! As I scattered the review around social media last night, I mentioned this book should be on the Army CoS’s reading list—there is much to learn from Washington’s wisdom.
Joseph Fouche:
February 28th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Excellent review Scott. Palmer is the most influential American strategic thinker of the early 20th century, as seen from his early reform work for Secretary of War Stimson c. 1912 to his role as Marshall’s consigliere during World War II. Universal military training is something the United States could still use. I favor the individual right to keep and bear arms but I also support the right of every eligible adult American to have up to date military training, integration into a state military unit in their locality, and a military assault weapon for their home or office. This is more important for maintaining a healthy political balance within the United States than for its pure military effectiveness. Oligarchy is checked when a preponderant majority of the American people are competently armed. The All-Volunteer Force is one of the main factors contributing to a decline in America’s civic fabric. There’s a word for a population that chooses to completely outsource its coercive services to self-selecting regular formations: peasants.
J.ScottShipman:
February 28th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Hi JF,
.
Many thanks!
.
Before I read Palmer, I was cool to the notion of universal military training, but he convinced me the benefits outweigh the burdens—if, and only if, “integration into a state military unit in their locality” were a requirement.
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On our current course we will be out-sourcing defense to private companies on a much larger scale than we do presently, and as you infer, this is a dangerous trend.
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Question: What national politician would have the courage to propose Washington’s model? From what I see of both parties, no one.
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One reason I mentioned the Army CoS’s reading list in my comment above, is I believe budgets are driving us to make arrangement—it is about time to revisit our first president’s excellent ideas.
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