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Transforming War
How the Few Became the Proud: Crafting the Marine Corps Mystique, 1874-1918
For more than half of its existence, members of the Marine Corps largely self-identified as soldiers. It did not yet mean something distinct to be a Marine, either to themselves or to the public at large. As neither a land-based organization like the Army nor an entirely sea-based one like the Navy, the Corps' missions overlapped with both institutions.
This work argues that the Marine Corps could not and would not settle on a mission, and therefore it turned to an image to ensure its institutional survival. The process by which a maligned group of nineteenth-century naval policemen began to consider themselves to be elite warriors benefited from the active engagement of Marine officers with the Corps' historical record as justification for its very being. Rather than look forward and actively seek out a mission that could secure their existence, late nineteenth-century Marines looked backward and embraced the past. They began to justify their existence by invoking their institutional traditions, their many martial engagements, and their claim to be the nation's oldest and proudest military institution. This led them to celebrate themselves as superior to soldiers and sailors. Although there are countless works on this hallowed fighting force, How the Few Became the Proud is the first to explore how the Marine Corps crafted such powerful myths.
This work argues that the Marine Corps could not and would not settle on a mission, and therefore it turned to an image to ensure its institutional survival. The process by which a maligned group of nineteenth-century naval policemen began to consider themselves to be elite warriors benefited from the active engagement of Marine officers with the Corps' historical record as justification for its very being. Rather than look forward and actively seek out a mission that could secure their existence, late nineteenth-century Marines looked backward and embraced the past. They began to justify their existence by invoking their institutional traditions, their many martial engagements, and their claim to be the nation's oldest and proudest military institution. This led them to celebrate themselves as superior to soldiers and sailors. Although there are countless works on this hallowed fighting force, How the Few Became the Proud is the first to explore how the Marine Corps crafted such powerful myths.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published December 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 14, 2024
Very interesting. How the USMC transformed its image in the 50 years from 1870-1920.
October 5, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book. Short and to the point, but filled with captivating anecdotes and unique insight.
It was interesting to read about a period of Marine Corps history that is not typically studied by Marines, or anyone else for that matter, but was clearly formative to our current understanding of what it means to be a Marine and the purpose of the Corps.
If you are a Marine, or interested in US military history it is well worth adding to your home library.
It was interesting to read about a period of Marine Corps history that is not typically studied by Marines, or anyone else for that matter, but was clearly formative to our current understanding of what it means to be a Marine and the purpose of the Corps.
If you are a Marine, or interested in US military history it is well worth adding to your home library.
January 11, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Venable’s work explaining how the few did in fact become the proud. It seems equal parts myth, propaganda, and luck, the Marines found themselves in the right place at the right time.
My favorite part / quote was from Admiral Luce, “He concluded that Marines had “well sustained the high reputation for steadfast courage and loyalty which has been handed down to it from the days of Themistocles.”
I also enjoyed how pivotal a role NCO’s played in recruitment coordinating with local newspapers and creating a fuss about the finest “soldiers” around. Yes, yes, Marines were considered soldiers once, greatly captured by our 13th Commandant, General Lejeune in his historic birthday message, as “soldiers of the sea.”
Having read other historic works about the USMC, one can see where and how a mission (indicating as lacking in this work) was established and when the Commandant became a member of the JCS.
This work unfolds similar to a history class, which I greatly enjoyed. It is certain Dr. Venable enjoys teaching, as she has taught me quite a bit about an institution I continue to serve and love very much.
My favorite part / quote was from Admiral Luce, “He concluded that Marines had “well sustained the high reputation for steadfast courage and loyalty which has been handed down to it from the days of Themistocles.”
I also enjoyed how pivotal a role NCO’s played in recruitment coordinating with local newspapers and creating a fuss about the finest “soldiers” around. Yes, yes, Marines were considered soldiers once, greatly captured by our 13th Commandant, General Lejeune in his historic birthday message, as “soldiers of the sea.”
Having read other historic works about the USMC, one can see where and how a mission (indicating as lacking in this work) was established and when the Commandant became a member of the JCS.
This work unfolds similar to a history class, which I greatly enjoyed. It is certain Dr. Venable enjoys teaching, as she has taught me quite a bit about an institution I continue to serve and love very much.
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September 6, 2020The Marine Mystique finally explained
This is the most unique book about the Marine Corps I've ever read. It goes into detail about how the mystique of what a "Marine" is was formed and still exists to this day. It was researched to the smallest detail and if you like military quotes and I do you will not be disappointed. If you like old recruiting posters and I do then again you will not be disappointed. I was tempted to leave a few examples but that would just spoil it for you. So buy the book, sit down with a cup of coffee and learn the secret of How the Few Became the Proud!
This is the most unique book about the Marine Corps I've ever read. It goes into detail about how the mystique of what a "Marine" is was formed and still exists to this day. It was researched to the smallest detail and if you like military quotes and I do you will not be disappointed. If you like old recruiting posters and I do then again you will not be disappointed. I was tempted to leave a few examples but that would just spoil it for you. So buy the book, sit down with a cup of coffee and learn the secret of How the Few Became the Proud!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews