John M. Schofield and the Politics of Generalship - (Civil War America) by Donald B Connelly (Paperback)

About the Book

John M. Schofield and the Politics of Generalship

Book Synopsis

In the first full biography of Lieutenant General John McAllister Schofield (1831-1906), Donald B. Connelly examines the career of one of the leading commanders in the western theater during the Civil War. In doing so, Connelly illuminates the role of politics in the formulation of military policy, during both war and peace, in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Connelly relates how Schofield, as a department commander during the war, had to cope with contending political factions that sought to shape military and civil policies. Following the war, Schofield occupied every senior position in the army -- including secretary of war and commanding general of the army -- and became a leading champion of army reform and professionalism. He was the first senior officer to recognize that professionalism would come not from the separation of politics and the military but from the army's accommodation of politics and the often contentious American constitutional system.

Seen through the lens of Schofield's extensive military career, the history of American civil-military relations has seldom involved conflict between the military and civil authority, Connelly argues. The central question has never been whether to have civilian control but rather which civilians have a say in the formulation and execution of policy.

Review Quotes

"[A] superb life of General John M. Schofield." -- Parameters

"A good study of the interrelationships between the military and the government. . . . A very interesting read." -- Civil War News

"A significant addition to nineteenth-century military historiography. . . . There is much to like about this work." -- Arkansas Historical Quarterly

"Connelly breaks new ground in his biography of John Schofield. . . . It adds significantly to our understanding of American military professionalism in the nineteenth century." -- Civil War History

"Connelly's study of Schofield and the politics of generalship offers pertinent, unforced lessons and insights to anyone interested in the current relationship between the Army and its civilian overseers. On the whole, this work will go a long way towards better informing uniformed professionals about the important links between the military and its civilian leaders." -- Military Review

"First-rate scholarship here comes as more than a biography of a pivotal Union general and lifetime soldier; it's also a probing study into the complex relationship between our country's military establishment and civilian leadership." -- Blue and Gray

"Historians, Civil War enthusiasts, and military specialists will appreciate this book, which focuses on the life of General Schofield at the intersection of politics and the military." -- Louisiana History

"Provides a comprehensive look not only at Schofield's wartime career, but also his rather distinguished post-war service. . . . An excellent account of the life and work of a rather over-looked officer." -- The NYMAS Review

"Supported by extensive research . . . persuasive." -- Historian

"This engaging biography addresses all phases of the military career of John M. Schofield. . . . Connelly shines in analyzing Schofield as an adroit, reform-minded administrator." -- Journal of American History

About the Author

Donald B. Connelly is associate professor of joint and multinational operations at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. A retired U.S. Army military intelligence officer, he has also served as historian at U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.