Chief of Staff, Vol. 2: The Principal Officers Behind History's Great Commanders, World War II to Korea and Vietnam (Association of the United States Army)

by David T Zabecki

The two-volume Chief of Staff examines the history, development, and role of the military duty position of the chief of staff. Many books have studied history's great commanders and the art of command. None have focused exclusively on the chief of staff that key staff officer responsible for translating the ideas of the commander into practical plans that common soldiers can execute successfully on the battlefield. In some cases, it is almost impossible to think of certain great commanders without also thinking of their chief of staff. Napoleon's chief of staff Berthier and Eisenhower's chief of staff Bedell Smith are two examples that are profiled in this work. Zabecki and his collaborators examine the history, development, and role of the chief of staff primarily through profiles of the most important practitioners of the art. These books are published in cooperation with the Association of the United States Army.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Military History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Dave Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each of the subjects of this study operated within his own army and its command and staff system. This volume focuses on World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The editor, David T. Zabecki, extends some grace and historical understanding to the subjects considered. Thus, this is a compilation that fulfills Collingwood's ideal, while still remaining grounded:

"History is for human self-knowledge. Knowing yourself means knowing, first, what it is to be a person; secondly, knowing what it is to be the kind of person you are; and thirdly, knowing what it is to be the person you are and nobody else is."

Since the German Staff system was by far and away the most scientifically developed, a statisically significant number of the subjects served in the Wehrmacht. Before the reader rushes to judgment, it should be considered that one of the American chiefs that was highlighted held more faith in his regional racial biases rather than the American creed, and that the Russian subjects were complicit in wholesale genocide.

At its best, this study does well to illuminate the best that organizational psychology can offer. Most of the subjects confirm Von Schlieffen's dictum:
"Be more than you seem."

[Hj Reichen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book giving a review of the work of successful chiefs of staff. Each chapter gives a brief overview of the major battle of each chief of staff and describes the individual qualities and the relationship with the commanding officer. Necessary lecture for every senior staff officer

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book that examines the key staff officers behind some of history's famous commanders and campaigns.