Books like The Generals by Thomas E. Ricks

Author Thomas E. Ricks, a Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, presents a collection of biographical sketches of general-grade officers from World War II to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ricks assesses the performance of these officers based on how well they led their forces and whether they won or lost battles. His theme is the development over time of the Army's attitude towards and approach to generalship. While the cowboy or maverick personality is praised in popular entertainment, the Army prefers leaders who are team players. Ricks argues that the 'team player' mentality can and does encourage cautious and career-protecting behavior, which can hinder a general's ability to accomplish the main objective of winning battles. Ricks advocates a return to the Marshall-era practice of relief, where officers are removed from command when they can't get the job done. He cites the neglect of this practice as responsible for the overall poor performance of the Army leadership from the Vietnam era to the present day.

First publish date: 2012