The pros at Journal of Military History check in with 2 reviews of 'The Generals'

During the summer, the Best Defense is in
re-runs. Here are some favorites that ran in late 2012 and in 2013. This item originally
ran on Jan. 22, 2013.

The new
issue of Journal
of Military History
carries two reviews of my new book. One
is by Edward Coffman, one of the grand old men of American military history, who calls The
Generals
"fascinating." His bottom line: "This is a well researched and written book
which informs readers about the Army's command problems since the Korean War."

The
other review is by Roger Spiller, a bit more of a military insider than
Coffman, having taught for decades at Fort Leavenworth. I've read several of his books, and
used one of them quite a lot in writing The Generals. I had expected him to do
the "con" review to balance Coffman's. Rather, he also is complimentary. He
says I have the reputation of being "the best American military correspondent
since Hanson Baldwin." (I think he may need to check out the works of Peter
Braestrup, C.J. Chivers, Sean Naylor, Dexter Filkins, and several other
people.) His bottom line: "Ricks's assessment may well provoke discussion in
official circles, but one might ask whether the leaders produced by the system
are capable of reforming themselves."