If "American Ceasar is too long a read, try the audio book.
Posted on 07/01/2017 9:23:49 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
They're all 900 pages! Anything in less than 400? I'd like an honest and informative one that could look at his career critically(mistakes) while noting his many accomplishments. Emphasis on WW2-post war Japan. Even a book that includes other Generals/Admirals/Truman and not necessarily MacArthur. You folks are informed. Help me.
William Manchester, “American Caesar”, and MacArthur’s own “Reminiscences”.
American Caesar by William Manchester
LOL! It's a long story. Here is my favorite (Only 742 pages) American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964
William Manchester’s “American Caesar” is right. The 400 page book “authors” like Bill O’Reilly, Steven Ambrose, and..gag..Doris Kearns Goodwin are not in the same league.
If "American Ceasar is too long a read, try the audio book.
Here is a trade secret of historical researchers:
First, read the wikipedia page on him and then look at the sources. People who are actively doing research tend to maintain info on wikipedia. I know of professors who have their assistants check frequently as to what others have been adding and they all tend to keep information current and correct.
And, just because a book is 900 pages doesn’t mean you have to read the whole thing.
Also, you can special order any book from an Inter-Library Loan librarian at your local library which can cut down on having to purchase a lot of books.
As you are reading through the wikipedia page click on the notes which will take you to the bottom and you can get a good impression if you want to get that person’s book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur
American Caesar is a long read, but a good one. MacArthur had a long and fascinating life. Manchester was a thorough researcher AND a top notch writer, which is a fairly uncommon combination.
“MacArthur’s Undercover War” is a great short-read (272 pages). MacArthur did not trust the OSS (too many Roosevelt democrats and Soviet sympathizers according to Mac). So he started his own version of the OSS. Deals with WW II rather than a bio, but interesting insight into Mac in operation.
https://www.amazon.com/MacArthurs-Undercover-War-Saboteurs-Guerrillas/dp/0785820485
Book Description
Guadalcanal…Midway…the battle for the Philippines. In each of these critical conflicts, intelligence played a crucial role in bringing about an Allied victory. General MacArthur’s brilliant pacific campaign was designed around espionage and guerrilla warfare. This is the story of his undercover war.
From the Publishe
An action-packed account of the heroics and resourcefulness of countless individuals who worked undercover in espionage operations under the direction of Douglas MacArthur. Tells in full for the first time the story of MacArthur’s Allied Intelligence Bureau—an operation so secret that its existence was not known until long after World War II. Features new information based on first-hand interviews with those who participated in shortening the war and saving thousands of lives in the Pacific Theater.
There are few biographers in Manchester’s class. “American Caesar” and “The Last Lion” (Winston Churchill) are the defining books on these two giants of history.
Read “Goodbye Darkness” by Manchester. It is his account of his service in the 1st Marine Division during WWII. He was one of the few survivors who lived through Guadalcanal and all of the other campaigns of the 1st MARDIV. He was badly wounded at Okinawa.
Painfully, for conservatives, MacArthur’s reputation is over-blown, and we have not come to grips with MacArthur’s errors, weaknesses, and misdeeds. “American Caesar” by William Manchester is an essential corrective.
Maybe. But there are problems with his version. More here.
For an excellent book on a facet of MacArthur’s long career, try “MacArthur’s Victory.”
https://www.amazon.com/MacArthurs-Victory-War-Guinea-1943-1944/dp/0345463862
Buy a 900 page book and just read about half of it : )
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