Billy Mitchell

by Cooke

Cooke (emeritus, history, U. of Mississippi) presents a biography of the professional life of Colonel William Mitchell, famed for his early support of air power and his prediction before World War II that American air preparations were inadequate against a likely Japanese enemy. Mitchell was court-martialled in 1925 for his criticism of his superiors and subsequent writers have suggested that he was persecuted for his integrity. Cooke suggests that Mitchell, although a major contributor to American air power, was deeply flawed by arrogance and ego. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

305 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2002