The American Military Tradition: From Colonial Times to the Present Second Edition

Carroll and Baxter hit their mark by accurately–and sometimes vividly–recounting major events, along with discussing the evolution of American warriors from citizen-soldiers to professional soldiers.

The book should be required reading for the professional soldier interested in development of military traditions and heritage. The essays are clear, concise, and provide the reader with the essential history of each period. This book is important for anyone interested in understanding how the American Military developed over the past two hundred years. But more than that, it should be read in the light of how any army can emulate the military traditions of other nations to better their own.

The contributors conscientiously summarize nearly all major viewpoints. . . . A useful commentary and analysis concerning some of the most pressing questions and issues in the nation’s martial experience.

The twelve essays in this volume combine in a comprehensive, well-integrated and economically presented overview of America’s military heritage from the colonial era to the present day. Analytical rather than narrative in approach, never shying from controversial issues, the work is admirably suited to undergraduate and graduate classes, and should appeal to general readers as well.

The American Military Tradition reads easily and should be a welcome addition to the military history literature. . . . Instructors faced with introducing undergraduates to American military history might well consider adopting this book for their classes.

This book is a useful compendium to any student of military history. [It] provides great variety coupled with an expertise within the different subjects covered.