Yanks: The Heroes Who Won the First World War and Made the American Century

by H.W. Crocker III

Bestselling military historian H. W. Crocker III ( The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War , Robert E. Lee on Leadership , etc.) now turns his guns on the epic story of America’s involvement in the First World War with his new book Yanks .

Readers will learn how George S. Patton, Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall (of the Marshall Plan), "Wild Bill" Donovan (future founder of the OSS, the World War II precursor to the CIA), Harry S. Truman, and many other American heroes earned their military spurs in "The Great War".

Stirring, and full of brilliantly told stories of men at war, Yanks will be the essential book for readers interested in rediscovering America's role in the First World War.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War I, American History, Military Fiction, Military History, Audiobook

404 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2014

About the author

H.W. Crocker III is the bestselling author of the prize-winning comic novel The Old Limey and several books of military history, including Triumph, Robert E. Lee on Leadership, The Politically Incorrect Guide® to the Civil War, The Politically Incorrect Guide® to the British Empire, Yanks, and Don’t Tread on Me.

His journalism has appeared in National Review, the American Spectator, the Washington Times, and many other outlets. Educated in England and California, Crocker lives on the site of a former Confederate encampment in Virginia.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me get this off my chest....WHERE ARE THE DAMN MAPS? Please quit writing books about battles without even one map since the troop movements become rather meaningless if you can't see the geography. End of rant.

This book is definitely for the reader fresh to the history of WWI. The author provides information on how the war began, why the USA stayed neutral for so long, and how some of the heroes of the Great War were also instrumental in WWII. It is well written and the personal biographies of the men featured (from Black Jack Pershing, to Father Duffy of the Fighting 69th through George Patton and Billy Mitchell) are well done and rather interesting. But the information is very basic and doesn't add much for the reader familiar with the war.

Additionally, the author obviously can't stand President Woodrow Wilson and takes pot shots at him at every turn. Not being a particular fan of Wilson it didn't bother me but it might offend others and is rather intrusive

It is a good introductory book to the Great War but the student of WWI will find nothing new here.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good overview of WWI & the major players, both national & US leaders. The war itself is only half the book or perhaps less, so if you're looking for the military side of things, you won't find much here. There's a decent overview of what led up to it. The war itself is described in a fairly sketchy, sometimes confusing manner, but I've definitely read far better accounts & I'm not all that familiar with it. (I'm listening to The Modern Scholar: World War l: The Great War and the World It Made, one of The Great Courses, next.)

The last half of the book is divided into 2 parts: biographies of the U.S. leaders (mostly military) including an account of the Roosevelts & an overview of what came next. Crocker is not kind to Wilson with good reason. He was definitely the wrong man for the job with his high ideals & ignorance of practicalities.

All in all, a good, short summary. Well narrated, too. I recommend it, especially for those without much knowledge of the subject. It's a good way to get familiarized with the confusing mess.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you don't know anything about WWI, then this is a good place to start if you are an American and interested in getting some ideas on where to start learning. If you have any middling knowledge of the US in WWI, then you will find a few things of interest but not anything eye-opening. 2 Stars Great dust jacket picture.

[Bookwoman67 · Rating 3 out of 5]

General overview of American involvement in WWI. Oddly organized, with summaries of battles followed by brief biographies of the generals and "young lions," and concluding with an account of the Treaty of Versailles and its aftermath. Also, a generous bias toward American glory in saving Europe from itself and pro-military view. Good source of basic information if all this is kept in mind.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It starts with an overview of the US’s involvement in the war, then the next and largest section is a series of short biographies of generals and notable Americans involved in the war, and ends with a wrap up of the war and a brief view of what would come next. I especially liked the biographies.

[Chadd VanZanten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great material, including rich biographical info about the generals--their exploits during the conflict and beyond.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to those who wish to learn about America's military contribution to the Great War. Crocker provides an in-depth and readable history of the war's politics, campaigns, generals, and the "young lions" of the war, the men whose infamous exploits made them household names, such as Sergeant Alvin York, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, and the sons of Theodore Roosevelt.

[Michael Sommers · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book does not deliver what the title promises. The first quarter of the book give a very conventional account of the origins of the war. The last half of the book is a series of biographies of various participants in the war. Only the second quarter of the book is an actual military history of American participation in the war.

The author makes at least one absurd claim that I can remember: that Franz Ferdinand was a liberal. He was nothing of the sort; he was an arch-conservative. Yes, he did want to give the South Slavs an equal status in the empire to the Austrians and Hungarians, but that was not because he was a liberal---he despised the Slavs---it was because he wanted to avoid a revolution. Bismarck invented the modern welfare state for the same reason, and he was certainly no liberal.

The biographies are interesting, but, for example, Truman's post-war political career sheds no light on the war itself, or his part in it.

[John Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't had much patience for history over the years and finally decided to delve into WWI to get a better understanding. This book is very well written and gives tasteful descriptions of events, often focused around a specific individual, especially in the later chapters of the book.
From what little I know about the world, I've never really considered WWI or WWII as two wars and this book leads well into the second world war, due to unmistakable reasons of suffering, especially for Germans, not all too excited about post-war life. Unfortunately the world today does not kneel to the brawn of the Marine, though I doubt it would take much to reassert that muscle to get what we want. Hopefully we can avoid that amount of blatant 'bullet-sponging' in the future.
Short-live the Doughboys!

Unrelated note:
Personally I've only ever seen China as a separate entity when it comes to most international wars, though they continue to inch their way into the game, whether by fault of America or not (economical status); misgivings with Japan, of course, but interesting nonetheless how Mao's second 5-year plan coincided with Hitler's attempt at genocide in the way that death was simply upon the world.

[Mark Pasquini · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and researched book. It clearly stated the situation which led up to the war, American attitudes (especially Wilson's) to war. Wilson's reluctance to dwell on foreign policies and his disinterest in war preparations, coupled with his confusing and often contradictory policy in the arena. The reasons for entering the war and conduct of it on the Western Front in the first half of the book was, surprising to me, interesting. The middle of the book dealt with the men who conducted the war, thankfully free of the politicians who usually stick their noses into the mix. Pershing, Marshall, MacArthur, Truman, York, Rickenbacker, etc. were brought to life from childhood to death. Their stories putting into context the late 1880s to the mid 1900s. The last third of the book brought in the Bolsheviks, the WWI peace process, the repudiation of Wilson and the leadup to WWII. Interestingly, the author makes a strong argument that WWII was not inevitable and could have been blocked. Crocker also argues that the reparations question was not pivotal in causing that war. Recommended.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

An oddly organized book with sections on the start of the war, American entry, the battles the USA participated in, biographies of generals, biographies of younger men, and the post-war. It leans heavily on Winston Churchill's historical commentary, has low regard for President Woodrow Wilson, and critical of the fighting capabilities and post-war diplomacy of the French. The section on the Treaty of Versailles is a little outdated in its historiography, such as its view German reparations. Ironically, and this was not mentioned in the book, it was the US that foot the bill for the war, not the Germans. Through the Dawes and Young Plans, the US loaned money to Germany that was then used to pay the reparations which then was used to pay the war debt. When the system crashed during the Great Depression, it was the US that lost the money. The author also implies that Wilson could have crushed the Bolshevik Revolution if he only had the balls. The book closes with a reminder that current Americans should be mindful and grateful of the enormous sacrifices of the WWI generation.

[Dominick L Luciano · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this is a book about World War I, too much of the book is taken up with chapters of biographies. If you've already read biographies about Truman, MacArthur, Pershing, Billy Mitchell, Patton, Marshall, and others, you'll find yourself skipping these chapters. These biographical chapters, encompass the subjects entire lives, not just WWI. I skipped about one-third of the book. Part five "Victory' is only ten pages. It seems the book was written just a bunch of essays, compiled together. Patton and MacArthur's WWII exploits seem out of place.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot I liked about this book, but one strange thing was the series of biographies that takes you through the lives of some of the major American figures, even including considerable detail about periods long after WWI. Then, finally, you are returned to the armistice, the treaty, and the aftermath. I would have preferred to have a higher percentage of the book stick to the Great War itself. But it's all informative, well written, and narrated by my favorite audiobook reader, Robertson Dean.

[Robert Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

The actual history of the United States in World War I is limited. There is too much emphasis on the later exploits of the young Soldiers. This book also received a demerit from me for perpetuating the myth of Pershing burying Moro dead with pigs, made popular by a chain email. I only recommend Parts 2, 3, and 5 for people interested in a brief, but informative overview of the U.S. in WWI. All other information found in the book is better read in outside sources.

[Chandler Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy the book, but I think the title is a bit misleading. It certainly is about American involvement in WWI but because the second third of the book is a series of miniature biographies of notable veterans it ends up taking significant detours into the 30s and the 40s.

Overall interesting and definitely an example of reconstructionist history. The last segment about the tomb of the unknown soldier was quite moving.

[Ron A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy book to read. I wanted to know more about the political machinations that led to WW1. This book delivered. It is definitely written from a patriotic perspective. My big takeaway is probably that no matter how many times the absolute horrors of war are read and written about, war still exists. Now it’s no longer a special skill to be “handy with the bayonet”. Instead we possess the ability to literally annihilate the planet. Praying for peace.

[Shaun McCloskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great World War One era book that should be read. It covers in great detail of the U.S involvement in WWI with all sorts of details to where there are some really cool facts that I didn't know about till reading. Books like these are really nice if you want to learn more about WWI without having to read some boring text book or a plain google search.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of WWI starting with conditions led up to the war and ending with the peace treaty. It covered major battles of the war and through look at the most significant general. Going to far as to look at their upbringing, education and experience.
There is a section on "The Young Lions", analyzing the next generation of leaders.

I found it to be a fascinating read.

[Jerel Wilmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd book, possibly mistitled. While purporting to be a history of the United States in World War One, it is in fact a collection of biographical essays of Americans involved in World War One, but which spans the 20s, 30s, and even World War Two.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pro MacArthur towards the end. The author gives accounts of MacArthur after WW1 up to & past when President Truman rightly fired him. The MacArthur section of the book takes away from all the good WW1 sections.

[Johnnyc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good overview of America’s role in WW1 (and WW1 in general but I was hoping for a little more detail concerning battles. Very good small bios of leading American figures that will make you want to go deeper.

[Mike Blades · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read. Would be a great addition for the classroom!

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of WWI which focuses on the most of the primary US participants.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the overview of WW1 excellent.

[David Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great. Not bad.

[Eric Loos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good telling of the American involvement in WW1.

[Amber Hollowell]

Not my thing. I couldn’t get interested and felt myself reading without taking in any information. I’d read and not have any idea what I had read.

[WC Beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cause, or more definitively, the causes of the world war of 1914 through 1918 remain difficult to define. "On 28 June 1914 the Archduke Franz-Ferdinand and his wife, Countess Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia" thus triggering the conflict that became known as "the Great War."

And, as they say, the rest is history. Germany, of course, led the onslaught in their quest for continent domination, followed by France (always a canker to Germany), England, Poland, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and ultimately the United States. Arrogant Woodrow Wilson never saw a conflict he didn't like.

Indeed the book focuses on the grand designs of President Wilson who saw himself as the major figure on the world stage whose destiny was as the creator of a post-war utopian community.

He damned near succeeded, thwarted by Senate Republicans and a revengefully recalcitrant emerging hero of an embittered, defeated Germany.

American warriors are given their due, including John J Pershing, Peyton C March, Douglas MacArthur, Billy Mitchell, John A Lejeune, George S Patton, George C Marshall, Eddie Rickenbacker, and the invincible sharpshooter, Alvin C York.

Sight challenged Harry S Truman gets in here as do the four sons of Teddy Roosevelt. Who was "Wild Bill" Donovan?

The short epilogue is what rates this informative book of World War I the rating of five stars.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As its subtitle indicates, “The Yanks Are Coming” highlights the American role in World War I but does so by placing it in the larger context of what preceded and followed it. It begins with an introduction to the overall history of World War I and transitions the American Army into that story. Once the Armistice is signed it breaks into brief biographies of Americans who played roles in the War. Some exerted leadership then but for others the Great War was a training ground for later service. The biographies are of Pershing, Peyton March, Douglas MacArthur, Billy Mitchell, John Lejeune, George Patton, George Marshall, Fr. Duffy, Sgt. York, Harry Truman, Wild Bill Donovan and the Roosevelts: Ted, Quentin, Kermit and Archie. It then returns to the scene of the Paris Peace Conference and western intervention in the Russian Civil War.

Author H. W. Crocker III’s writing style keeps the narrative flowing while holding the reader’s interest. I have read a fair amount about World War I but I learned new facts and saw them present from different perspectives. It is a good commencement to World War I studies World War I or to supplement other reading with an emphasis on America’s contribution.

[David Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It highlighted how the experiences of a handful of key American soldiers, officers, generals, and politicians during WWI were critical to America's victory during WWII and influenced post war institutions and policies that consolidated America's gains and relative peace during the Cold War. It was interesting to learn how many of them had shared experiences or interactions prior to WWI - included military service, similar economic backgrounds, endured loss of loved ones that drove them to greater discipline in their military careers, craved for adventure and service, possessed willingness to lead, served as observers during the Russo-Japanese War, had combat experience in Spanish-American War or the punitive expedition in Mexico, serviced in training and instructor positions, had extensive staff and planning experience, and had tactical leadership at company/battery, battalion, regiment level during large offensives.