University Press of Kansas Logo

America's First Battles, 1776-1965

Edited by Charles E. Heller and William A. Stofft

xiv, 418 pages, illustrated, 6 x 9
Modern War Studies
Paper ISBN 978-0-7006-0277-3 $14.95 paper

Book Cover ImageThis volume, a collection of eleven original essays by many of the foremost U.S. military historians, focuses on the transition of the Army from parade ground to battleground in each of nine wars the United States has fought. Through careful analysis of organization, training, and tactical doctrine, each essay seeks to explain the strengths and weaknesses evidenced by the outcome of the first significant engagement or campaign of the war. The concluding essay sets out to synthesize the findings and to discover whether or not American first battles manifest a characteristic "rhythm."

America's First Battles provides a novel and intellectually challenging view of how America has prepared for war and how operations and tactics have changed over time. The thrust of the book--the emphasis on operational history--is at the forefront of scholarly activity in military history.

"An important contribution both to the literature of war and to the analysis and making of defense policy."--Washington Post Book World

"Fine military history, good reading and challenging intellectual stimulation."--Army

"Presented here is a discussion of ten military battles, each representing one of the first battles or campaigns in the nine wars in which the U.S. Army has fought from 1776 through Vietnam. Each chapter treats a single battle and is written by a historian with acknowledged specialization in that period of military history. The essays incorporate standard themes, such as the strategic and political background of the period, the preparation of the U.S. Army for the war, organizational and tactical comparisons, weaponry, planning and execution, and the results or lessons learned from each engagement. These evaluations are stimulating, comparable pictures for students of general history, military history, and political-military relationships. A concluding chapter . . . raises questions of considerable contemporary relevance. Extremely well referenced and indexed. Recommended for public and academic libraries."--Choice

"Must reading for the serious student of history, whether military or civilian."--Military Review

"Not just soldiers and historians should read it, but all thoughtful Americans, even those with a visceral dislike for anything military."--The Historian

Lieutenant Colonel CHARLES E. HELLER is Chief of Mobilization Requirements, Operation, and Training at the Army Reserve Personnel Center.

Brigadier General WILLIAM A. STOFFT is the Chief of Military History for the U.S. Army.