Reviews
The final volume of George Marshall’s papers contains unique insights from his time as secretary of defense, and other national positions, including correspondence about earlier years as world leaders review their roles in shaping the twentieth century.
This volume concludes a diligent four-decade effort by Johns Hopkins in conjunction with the George C. Marshall Research Library. The exhaustive editing results in what must be some kind of a record in the number and length of footnotes.
The editors were able to pay greater attention to his personal life than in previous volumes, due in large part to the recent acquisition of documents from family members. Much of the valuable material from his retirement years involves his extensive correspondence with friends, former military colleagues, and national and international leaders, such as Dwight Eisenhower, George Kennan, Dean Acheson and Winston Churchill; his interviews with historians and journalists about his career (his answers typically blunt and terse); and speeches, in which he sometimes unburdened himself about his experience with the real-world difficulties of military command and civilian responsibilities.
What makes this volume such a treasure trove and a pleasure to peruse is that the editors have done a brilliant job of integrating helpful commentary and explanatory notes throughout the collection. The reader is drawn deeply into the complexities of an era in which great figures made history under enormous stress and strain. In these pages, one comes to appreciate the dignity and sagacity of one of America’s greatest soldier-statesmen, the man Winston Churchill— borrowing from Shakespeare—described as "the Noblest Roman," George C. Marshall.
It is hard for people today to appreciate the unique stature Marshall achieved in his own time. If they wish to try, they could not do better than to begin with these papers.
The edited volumes of Marshall’s papers have always enjoyed the reputation for superb editorship and clarity. Stoler and his team deserve credit for maintaining the high quality of the... volumes.
Book Details
Preface
Guide to Editorial Policies
Illustrations
Chronology
30,000 Miles and 30,000 Interviews
Trembling on the Edge
A Pretty Tough Business
Determined to Be Strong
I Have Sown Some Seeds
Glossay
Appendix
Chart
Preface
Guide to Editorial Policies
Illustrations
Chronology
30,000 Miles and 30,000 Interviews
Trembling on the Edge
A Pretty Tough Business
Determined to Be Strong
I Have Sown Some Seeds
Glossay
Appendix
Charts and Maps
Index