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After the Trenches: The Transformation of the U.S. Army, 19181939 (WilliamsFord Texas A&M University Military History Series),Used
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At the end of the Great War, the U.S. Army faced the challenge of integrating what it had learned in the failures and ultimate success of its war effort. During the interwar years the army sought to balance readiness and modernization in a period of limited resources and technological advances with profound implications for the conduct of warfare. In After the Trenches, William O. Odom traces the development of combat doctrine between the world wars through an examination of the army's primary doctrine manuals, the Field Service Regulations. The Field Service Regulations of 1923 successfully assimilated the experiences of the First World War and translated them into viable tactical practice, Odom argues in this unique study. Rapidly developing technologies generated more efficient tools of war and greatly expanded the scale, tempo, and complexity of warfare. Personnel and materiel shortages led to a decline in the quality of army doctrine evidenced in the 1939 regulations. Examining the development of doctrine and the roles of key personalities such as John Pershing, Hugh Drum, George Lynch, Frank Parker, and Lesley McNair, Odom concludes that the successive revisions of the manual left the army scurrying to modernize its woefully outdated doctrine on the eve of the new war. This impressively researched study of the doctrine of the interwar army fills a significant gap in our understanding of the development of the U.S. Army during the first half of the twentieth century. It will serve scholars and others interested in military history as the standard reference on the subject. Moreover, many of the challenges and conditions that existed seventy years ago resemble those faced by today's army. This study of the army's historical responses to a declining military budget and an everchanging technology will broaden the perspectives of those who must deal with these important contemporary issues.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'After the Trenches' by William O. Odom? A: The book focuses on the transformation of the U.S. Army between the two World Wars, examining how the army integrated lessons learned from World War I into its combat doctrine and preparedness.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in this book? A: Key themes include the balance of military readiness and modernization, the impact of technological advances on warfare, and the evolution of combat doctrine during the interwar period.
- Q: Is 'After the Trenches' suitable for general readers or only for scholars? A: While the book is a significant academic resource, it is also accessible to general readers interested in military history and the development of the U.S. Army.
- Q: What type of research methods does William O. Odom use in this study? A: Odom utilizes a detailed examination of the U.S. Army's primary doctrine manuals, particularly the Field Service Regulations, and analyzes historical figures and events to trace the evolution of military doctrine.
- Q: What is the publication date and edition of this book? A: The book was published on February 1, 1999, and is listed as the First Edition.
- Q: How many pages does 'After the Trenches' have? A: The book contains 296 pages.
- Q: What is the condition of the book available for purchase? A: The book is listed as a New item.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'After the Trenches'? A: The book is bound in hardcover.
- Q: Who are some notable historical figures discussed in the book? A: Notable figures include John Pershing, Hugh Drum, George Lynch, Frank Parker, and Lesley McNair, all of whom played significant roles in the U.S. Army during the interwar years.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: The book is categorized under World War I.