The real story behind some of history's famous characters.

From the Foreword: Leadership is of surpassing importance of arms. Judgment, competence, and courage often count for more than armed might alone in achieving success. Generalship is carefully studied by soldiers who will lead men in combat, whether or not they aspire to general-officer rank themselves. Over time our comparatively young army has developed an impressive list of senior officers who have ably demonstrated the importance of leadership in trying circumstances. This volume offers a unique glimpse of the commanding generals and chiefs of staff who have lead the United States Army in peace and war. Their rise through the levels of leadership to the pinnacle of their profession reveals both striking parallels and fascinating contrasts. As the author's introductory analysis makes clear, their responsibilities have evolved over more than two hundred and thirty years. Although the essential elements of leadership remain unchanged, the complexity of technology and staff organization has increased radically over time. The format of this volume combines biographical sketches with the officially designated portraits of the commanding generals and chiefs of staff, accompanied by brief accounts on the artists. As an aspect of the art history that has continued for more than three centuries, these official portraits add an interesting and revealing dimension to the biographer's words. This volume not only celebrates the legacy of dedication and patriotism left by these leaders but also enhances our understanding of military leadership at the highest levels. I commend it to the attention of all students of our profession.

From the Foreword: This volume provides short biographical sketches of the commanding generals and chiefs of staff who have led the United States Army. Their rise through the levels of leadership to the pinnacle of their profession reveals both striking parallels and equally fascinating contrasts. While their responsibilities have evolved over the years, the essential elements of leadership remain unchanged. The format of this volume combines biographical information along with the officially designated portraits of the commanding generals and chiefs of staff. It also includes brief accounts of the artists selected to paint the official portraits. As an aspect of the Army art program, these portraits add an interesting and revealing dimension to the biographer's words. This volume not only celebrates the legacy of dedication and patriotism left by these leaders, but also enhances our understanding of military leadership at the highest levels. All those interested in the profession of arms should become familiar with those who have led our Army.

From the Foreword: This volume provides short biographical sketches of the commanding generals and chiefs of staff who have led the United States Army. Their rise through the levels of leadership to the pinnacle of their profession reveals both striking parallels and equally fascinating contrasts. While their responsibilities have evolved over the years, the essential elements of leadership remain unchanged. The format of this volume combines biographical information along with the officially designated portraits of the commanding generals and chiefs of staff. It also includes brief accounts of the artists selected to paint the official portraits. As an aspect of the Army art program, these portraits add an interesting and revealing dimension to the biographer's words. This volume not only celebrates the legacy of dedication and patriotism left by these leaders, but also enhances our understanding of military leadership at the highest levels. All those interested in the profession of arms should become familiar with those who have led our Army.

The instant #1 New York Times bestseller | A Washington Post Notable Book | One of NPR's Best Books of 2021 The definitive behind-the-scenes story of Trump's final year in office, by Phil Rucker and Carol Leonnig, the Pulitzer-Prize winning reporters and authors of A Very Stable Genius. “Chilling.” – Anderson Cooper “Jaw-dropping.” – John Berman “Shocking.” – John Heilemann “Explosive.” – Hallie Jackson “Blockbuster new reporting.” – Nicolle Wallace “Bracing new revelations.” – Brian Williams “Bombshell reporting.” – David Muir The true story of what took place in Donald Trump’s White House during a disastrous 2020 has never before been told in full. What was really going on around the president, as the government failed to contain the coronavirus and over half a million Americans perished? Who was influencing Trump after he refused to concede an election he had clearly lost and spread lies about election fraud? To answer these questions, Phil Rucker and Carol Leonnig reveal a dysfunctional and bumbling presidency’s inner workings in unprecedented, stunning detail. Focused on Trump and the key players around him—the doctors, generals, senior advisers, and Trump family members— Rucker and Leonnig provide a forensic account of the most devastating year in a presidency like no other. Their sources were in the room as time and time again Trump put his personal gain ahead of the good of the country. These witnesses to history tell the story of him longing to deploy the military to the streets of American cities to crush the protest movement in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, all to bolster his image of strength ahead of the election. These sources saw firsthand his refusal to take the threat of the coronavirus seriously—even to the point of allowing himself and those around him to be infected. This is a story of a nation sabotaged—economically, medically, and politically—by its own leader, culminating with a groundbreaking, minute-by-minute account of exactly what went on in the Capitol building on January 6, as Trump’s supporters so easily breached the most sacred halls of American democracy, and how the president reacted. With unparalleled access, Rucker and Leonnig explain and expose exactly who enabled—and who foiled—Trump as he sought desperately to cling to power. A classic and heart-racing work of investigative reporting, this book is destined to be read and studied by citizens and historians alike for decades to come.

Foreword: The Center Of Military History first published Secretaries of War and Secretaries of the Army: Portraits & biographical sketches in 1981 during the bicentennial of the American Revolution and the US Constitution. The book reflected two major themes of the Army's commemoration: the role of the soldier-statesmen of the revolution in the creation of our government and the constitutional principle of civilian control of the military. This updated printing continues to recognize those twin legacies. The first Secretaries of War were prominent members of the soldier-statesmen generation, and they and their successors have embodied the Founding Fathers' intent to ensure civilian leadership in military affairs. Secretaries of War and Secretaries of the Army is relevant to students and scholars in such diverse fields as military history, political science, American studies, and art and portraiture. We trust that this new edition will continue to be useful as background for the nomination of Army secretaries, as a handbook for the congressional armed services committees, and as a reference book throughout the Army. It has been a valuable source of information for libraries, and we hope that its distinctive perspective on the history of the Army will interest a new generation of the American public as well.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1836.