Preparing for War: The Emergence of the Modern U.S. Army, 1815–1917

by J.P. Clark

The U.S. Army has always regarded preparing for war as its peacetime role, but how it fulfilled that duty has changed dramatically over time. J. P. Clark traces the evolution of the Army between the War of 1812 and World War I, showing how differing personal experiences of war and peace among successive generations of professional soldiers left their mark upon the Army and its ways.

Nineteenth-century officers believed that generalship and battlefield command were more a matter of innate ability than anything institutions could teach. They saw no benefit in conceptual preparation beyond mastering technical skills like engineering and gunnery. Thus, preparations for war were largely confined to maintaining equipment and fortifications and instilling discipline in the enlisted ranks through parade ground drill. By World War I, however, Progressive Era concepts of professionalism had infiltrated the Army. Younger officers took for granted that war’s complexity required them to be trained to think and act alike―a notion that would have offended earlier generations. Preparing for War concludes by demonstrating how these new notions set the conditions for many of the successes―and some of the failures―of General Pershing’s American Expeditionary Forces.

Genres: Military History

352 pages, Hardcover

Published January 2, 2017

Reviews

[CHAD FOSTER · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough analysis that traces the evolution of the US Army's approach to preparing for war up until the end of WW I. From a haphazard method in the early 1800s based on individual personalities to a more regimented system in the early 20th century born of progressive ideas and industrial techniques, the Army evolved alongside American society. The author introduces the reader to diverse characters such as Winfield Scott, John C. Calhoun, William T. Sherman, Emory Upton, and Eben Swift. A very enlightening read that carries with it warnings for the future of the American Military Profession.

[Eric Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.P. Clark’s Preparing for War: The Emergence of the Modern U.S. Army, 1815-1917 is a well-researched and compelling read that superbly lays out the evolution of the U.S. Army from the post-War of 1812 through World War I. the author does an excellent job of detailing for the reader the tensions facing the U.S. Army and how it prepares for future conflict. Specifically, the problem of whether to intellectually prepare / train the Army to handle small-unit, pacification duties or focus on preparing for large-scale wars of maneuver on the European model. The author does a great job of focusing on the individuals who are trying to push and pull the U.S. Army in these directions, with much of the focus on the post-Civil War Era through the Elihu Root Reforms in 1905. I highly recommend this work for those interested in Army doctrinal development, but also those interested in U.S. military history.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book, recommend for anyone interested in how the United States Army, as an institution evolved in its philosophy and ways of preparing for conflict. From education to the ways in which the army selected its leaders, to the evolution of command theory. This book should be on the bookshelf of any leader working on the institutional side of a service.

[Mike Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled a real gap in my knowledge...

As an army officer I have pursued quite a bit of military history reading. However this longitudinal analysis of the growth of professional military education over the first several generations of United States Army officers was a real eye-opener for me. A rewarding read for any student of American military history.

[Chad Pillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely terrific book. A must read for anyone, especially Army Officers, who want to learn the institutional history of the Army and how it has shaped our modern military educational system to ensure its readiness to fight and win our nation's wars.