On Active Services in Peace and War

by Henry L. Stimson

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: Biography, History, Politics

837 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

From Wikipedia: Henry Lewis Stimson (September 21, 1867 – October 20, 1950) was an American statesman, lawyer, and Republican Party politician. Over his long career, he emerged as a leading figure in U.S. foreign policy by serving in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He served as Secretary of War (1911–1913) under President William Howard Taft, Secretary of State (1929–1933) under President Herbert Hoover, and again Secretary of War (1940–1945) under Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, overseeing American military efforts during World War II.

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Reviews

[David Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew almost nothing about Stimson when I started this book, and was quite curious to learn just what the Secretary of War contributed to the effort to win WWII. But I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the part about the war.

Stimson's career was quite interesting - US Attorney in NY prosecuting anti-trust cases against the sugar companies, candidate for governor of NY, Secretary of War under Taft, Secretary of State under Hoover, governor general of the Philippines, Secretary of War during World War II.

Nominally written by Bundy, it is very much Stimson's autobiography. There is no bibliography, no notes. The sources are primarily Stimson's diary and papers, and of course the 18 months of discussions Bundy and Stimson had while working together on the book.

[Bill Baar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one book you should read to understand the inspiration behind Progressive Internationalism.

[Caryatid · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's all very well to have another writer organize one's diaries and letters but quite another to give full control over the content. This book suffers the imposition of a third party in the telling. McGeorge Bundy ruined a perfectly good diary/memoir history of the life of Stimson. Very little is included regarding anecdotes and thoughts except in a general way. There was no need for him to intrude into a much older man's work, a secretary could have done a much better job. Bundy managed to also intrude in later years with other events and politicians. A great shame.
This is looking at Stimson from a distance, obscured by a heavy handed portentious personality.