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Summary: A Illuminating Look At One Of The Century's Military Giants!
Review: "American Caesar" is the incredible biography of a modern American legend; General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. Certainly no other modern American military leader engenders such controversy and hotly-expressed differences in opinion than does General MacArthur, and no one does a better job at providing a definitive historical biography than William Manchester. This is truly a magnificent book, a spellbinding story splendidly told by a master of English prose, rendered in a flawless, comprehensive, and objective treatment of this complex, often contradictory, and brilliant leader of men in desperate combat. This is no mean feat, as anyone venturing to understand the man, his eccentricities, and his actions during the tenure of his fifty-year career as a virtual American military institution in the Orient can testify. According to Manchester, MacArthur was a man of consummate contradictions; vain, mercurial, often baffling, imperious, childish and unable to admit he erred. Yet he was at times also iron-willed, charming, and absolutely brilliant. For Manchester, MacArthur was unquestionably the most gifted military man this country had ever seen. Indeed, it is undeniable that he was a man of incredible vision, although he often acted against his own better judgment, and was finally brought down both by his own demons and his damnable inability to admit he had made mistakes. Reading this book, one recognizes what a fascinating paradox MacArthur actually was. Manchester traces the General's long and illustrious career, which caught fire and purpose as Commander of the famed Rainbow Division during the First World War. Following the war, he trudged through a myriad of assignments, finally retiring long before the start of WWII hostilities to become a military advisor (with portfolio) for the Philippine government. Of course, with the rapid build up of American forces and the recognition of coming trouble with Japan, he was reinstated and became the modern day Caesar referred to in the title. Manchester argues that MacArthur, like his father before him, had a quite unique genius for military leadership, and although he barely escaped being sacked (as both the Army and navy Commanding Generals in Hawaii had been after Pearl Harbor), he went on to become a rallying point and inspirational leader throughout the long and difficult Pacific campaign. At the end of WWII, MacArthur was assigned as the overall Military Governor of Japan, and served both in this capacity and also as the controversial commander of American forces in Korea until finally relieved under duress by President Truman over the question of insubordination that after fifty years cost the General his career. The circumstances surrounding MacArthur's dismissal are a story in and of themselves, and Manchester explains them in a particularly fascinating way, leaving the reader to speculate to himself regarding the apparent paradoxes and seeming contradictions conflicting with each other in one singularly remarkable, accomplished, and unique personality. This book is a remarkable, masterfully written account of the long and distinguished career of one of the most influential military leaders in the history of the Republic, and this is also a book that any self-respecting student of modern history should include prominently in his personal library. Enjoy!
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Summary: A Biography to Match a Life
Review: "American Caesar" is the type of biography that I like. It boldly tells the story of one of the Twentieth Centuries' towering personalities, while skillfully weaving in the history of the world in which MacArthur acted. Manchester begins by quoting Arnold Toynbee to give the reader an insight into his view of MacArthur as the American Caesar. "Caesar was not and is not lovable. His generosity to defeated opponents, magnanimous though it was, did not win their affection. He won his soldiers' devotion by the victories that his intellectual ability, applied to warfare, brought them. Yet, though not lovable, Caesar was and is attractive, indeed fascinating. His political achievement required ability, in effect amounting to genius, in several different fields, including administration and general ship, besides the minor arts of wire pulling and propaganda. In all these, Caesar was a supreme virtuoso." Neither a paean nor an indictment, Manchester provides a balance account of this most controversial character, recording his accomplishments and failures, his strengths and weaknesses. The book begins with an explanation of the rich heritage to which MacArthur was born heir. His grandfather was a well known Wisconsin politician and judge. His father, General Arthur MacArthur, (see may Amazon review of "The General's General") was the greatest man Douglas would admit to knowing. The similarities between father and son are striking. Both were among the leading army officers of their times. Together, they form one of only two father-son teams to win the Medal of Honor. Each would achieve prominence through victorious campaigns in the Philippines. Each would exercise political power as a governor in the Orient, Arthur as military governor of the Philippines and Douglas as ruler of Japan. Each would fall from power in struggles against political superiors and each would end his life alienated from the army they loved, while being poster boys for the political opposition. These similarities are not merely independent coincidences. Arthur's involvement in the Orient brought Douglas to the theatre as a young aide, during which service he claimed to have learned to understand the Oriental mind. For half a century, American military activity in the Far East would be the particular bailiwick of the Clan MacArthur. Douglas first saw combat as Brigadier General of the Rainbow division in World War I. It was here that he first demonstrated his fearless, almost foolhardy tempting of fate which would draw attention to himself. During the interwar period, Douglas served in the position of Army Chief of Staff, a position from which, he believed, his father had been excluded by political enemies. It was during this service that Douglas worked in the Hoover administration, one with which his was politically sympathetic. His service as Chief of Staff completed, Douglas retired from the U.S. Army and served as Field Marshall of the Philippine army. In reading about this part of his career that I learned some surprising facts. I had always thought that the Philippines were viewed as American territory to be vigorously defended as America's Western shield in the Pacific. In truth, MacArthur contended with serious political debates as to whether the Philippines should be defended at all. When the War Department did decide to transfer forces to the Philippines, it was the proverbial, too little, too late. MacArthur's response to the Japanese attacks on the Philippines was, perhaps, the most militarily embarrassing part of his career. With the evacuation to Australia, MacArthur began the offensive which would roll back the Japanese Empire in the Southwest Pacific. In reporting on this offensive, Manchester explains the brilliant campaign while including incidents which illustrate MacArthur's personal vanity. With the Victory over Japan, MacArthur assumed the position of ruler of Japan. In this position, MacArthur effected profound change in Japanese society and political structure. As I was reading this book, the thought arose as to how the political power for change wielded by MacArthur as ruler of Japan compared to the power that Eisenhower exerted as President of the U.S. The results of MacArthur's tenure were so great as to make the question, at least, worth asking. MacArthur's focus shifted from the refashioning of Japanese society to the defense of Freedom in Korea with the North Korean attack on South Korea on June 24, 1950. In this segment we see Mac Arthur's frustration over policy differences with Washington. Throughout this segment of MacArthur's career, Manchester maintains a moderately pro-MacArthur tone, seemingly believing that MacArthur's opinions were correct, but that his insubordination made his removal inevitable, although badly handled. The Truman administration comes across as a band of bunglers. The history of the early part of the Korean War is skillfully woven into this biography. MacArthur's return to the United States is shown as a triumphant tour managed by Republican leaders, prominently Herbert Hoover. MacArthur immediately became a leading spokesman for the Anti-Truman crowd. While he played a role in Truman's unpopularity and resulting decision not to seek a third term, the General was unable to generate a Presidential boom for himself. His last bid for power took form in his support of Sen. Robert A. Taft in 1952. Speculation had it that MacArthur would play a prominent role in a Taft administration, either as vice-president or in the cabinet. In light of Taft's death in 1953, this may have been the closest that MacArthur came to the presidency. After 1952 MacArthur finally faded away, only to emerge occasionally to impart advice and wisdom to the Commanders-in-Chief. The hopes with which I began this book were exceeded by the time I had finished. "American Caesar" is a classic rendering of an heroic life.
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Summary: Supremely crafted biography of Douglas MacArthur.
Review: "American Caesar " is William Manchester's superbly crafted and supremely well researched biography of Douglas MacArthur, one of the greatest but most controversial military leaders in American history. MacArthur has been praised for his brilliant strategic and tactical abilities during both world wars and accomplishments as Military Governor in post-World War II Japan, and criticized for his overweening egoism and inability to subordinate himself to the wishes of his civilian superiors. William Manchester writes with wit and candor as he chronicles MacArthur's life from his earliest days to his death in 1964, at age 84. Manchester's portrait of his subject is balanced and objective. We see MacArthur at his finest: capable and courageous on the battlefield during World War I, rising quickly to general officer rank as a result of his abilities; between the world wars, a progressive, reform-minded superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, and later U.S. Army Chief of Staff; during World War II, a Medal of Honor winner, and the gifted but overly vainglorious commander of all Allied forces in the South Pacific, who achieved brilliant military successes with his "island-hopping" strategy; and later, as Military Governor of Japan, displaying a surprising magnanimity toward the conquered Japanese by introducing American-style democracy and liberal reforms. We also see him at his worst: pompous and vain, always seeking personal glory, often at his subordinates' expense; vindictive toward his subordinates when they disagreed with him; and finally, during the Korean War, the Supreme Commander whose hubris led him to openly defy his commander-in-chief, resulting in his relief by President Harry Truman. "American Caesar" clearly shows why William Manchester is one of the pre-eminent biographers at work today. The book is written with obviously meticulous scholarship, insightful analysis, and crisp, sparkling prose. It stands alongside fellow biographer D. Clayton James' three-volume "The Years of MacArthur," as one of the two best accounts of Douglas MacArthur's life available today. Highly recommended!
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Summary: 5 Star General: 5 Star Book !
Review: "American Caesar" is a highly literate, extremely well researched biography of General Douglas MacArthur. Since the General's Army career spanned almost 50 years, the time sweep of "AC" is quite extensive, but Mr. Manchester maintains reader interest throughout. As a work of history, it should qualify as a masterpiece. The strongest point of "AC" is that the persona of the General never gets lost in a sea of facts or too many characters. It remains a biography, first and foremost. The reader always is aware that s(he) is reading about a human being- with strong points and weak points just like all of us. I was impressed with the obvious importance of family, especially his wife and son to the General. Major historical figures like F.D.R. and Harry Truman take a backseat to the main character. Some readers might maintain that is exactly where they belong! While "AC" covers the General's heroism in World War I, the focus is on his military campaigns in World War II. Great detail is given to his controversial and hazardous- initial retreat from the Philippines to Australia and his push back north, capturing strategic New Guinea and retaking the Philippines. To his credit, author Manchester, a former Marine, strives to demonstrate that the General's tactics saved thousands of U.S. casualties, compared to the frontal assaults on other Pacific islands such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa. For example, the General bypassed and isolated the strong Japanese garrison on Rabaul in eastern New Guinea, rather than attack in force. He also talked the Navy and Marines down from a senseless, hazardous and tactically useless invasion of Formosa (Taiwan). His casualty rates are also compared very favorably to those incurred by General Dwight Eisenhower at Normandy and the Bulge. (The two did not exactly admire one another). If there are any weak points in "AC", they are minor. One could argue that the bio of the General is not sufficiently critical, but this reader would defer license to a talented author. One could also argue that too much space is allocated to the General's troubles with Harry Truman during the Korean War. Since so many identify the General with that particular segment of his career, it would be difficult for Manchester to pass lightly over it. (The author does not exactly admire HST). A note of warning: The MAPS in the paperback version of "AC" are too small for a close following of the SW Pacific War. If amazon could offer a large print/ hardcover version of "AC", the extra cost would be worth it. I used a magnifying glass! Inadequate maps seem to be a requirement for military tales "AC" has plenty of company in this regard. I hope this review has done credit to a first rate work of historical biography. Over 844 pages, followers of history and military affairs will not be disappointed.
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Summary: A must read for students of history
Review: ..........This is a fascinating account of a man mis-understoodby many under his command who brilliantly led his undermanned armiesagainst a superior enemy to victory. He accomplished it with fewercaaualties (27,684) in the course of the two years between Australia and his return to the Philippines than Eisenhower's losses at Normandy alone (28,376)! Well footnoted and indexed, it makes a great reference work on the definitive period of American history which has brought us to where America finds herself now. This is a must read if you want to understand the world news of today - especially that involving Asia. END
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Summary: American Caesar
Review: A little too long and detailed in some parts of MacArthur's life but overall a good biography of the General. Easily read and understood. Military history lovers and students of World War II will no doubt enjoy the work. Excellent research effort is evident. RECOMMENDED.
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Summary: Biography that Reads Like a Novel
Review: A wonderfully written, carefully researched book that carries the reader through the complexities of one of the most fascinating people in American history. His accomplishments are many-in war both in the Pacific and with the Rainbow Division in WWI - and in peace - almost no other living soul would have had the unique combination of experience, intelligence, personal authority, vision, etc. to implement the peace in Japan after the war. Manchester delivers the warts and wonders of MacArthur, and makes the journey vivid, detailed and powerful. A masterpiece...
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Summary: Fascination of Subject Overcomes Mediocre Treatment
Review: Although Manchester has surely done a huge amount of research and this is a pleasant book to read, it does not belong in the ranks of great historical bios. Not in the league with Robert Caro's books, for example. Christopher Young, Amazon customer, has written a good critique here. As he notes, the typos are unbelievable -- including dropped words that render whole sentences unintelligible. This contributes to an overall impression that Manchester was in a huge hurry to get something down on paper. Notwithstanding the bulk of this, it is actually a superficial work. Still, the subject is extraordinarily fascinating and there aren't many other bios of him out there so you don't have much choice.
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Summary: Fascination of Subject Overcomes Mediocre Treatment
Review: Although Manchester has surely done a huge amount of research and this is a pleasant book to read, it does not belong in the ranks of great historical bios. Not in the league with Robert Caro's books, for example. Christopher Young, Amazon customer, has written a good critique here. As he notes, the typos are unbelievable -- including dropped words that render whole sentences unintelligible. This contributes to an overall impression that Manchester was in a huge hurry to get something down on paper. Notwithstanding the bulk of this, it is actually a superficial work. Still, the subject is extraordinarily fascinating and there aren't many other bios of him out there so you don't have much choice.
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Summary: A Well-Researched Biography
Review: American Caesar is a definitive biography of Douglas MacArthur. It will satisfy any reader who wants to learn more about the General. The coverage of MacArthur's role in World War II is excellent. The influence of several women, including his mother, two wives and Eurasian mistress, is woven throughout the narrative. Manchester dismisses many of the unflattering rumors which doggedly pursued the General even in retirement.
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