In Command
Theodore Roosevelt and the American Military
by Matthew Oyos
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Pub Date 1 Jun 2018 | Archive Date 26 Jun 2018
University of Nebraska Press | Potomac Books
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Description
Although Theodore Roosevelt was not a wartime president, he took his role as commander in chief very seriously. In Command explores Roosevelt’s efforts to modernize the American military before, during, and after his presidency (1901–9). Matthew Oyos examines the evolution of Roosevelt’s ideas about military force in the age of industry and explores his drive to promote new institutions of command: technological innovations, militia reform, and international military missions. Oyos places these developments into broader themes of Progressive Era reform, civil-military tensions, and Roosevelt’s ideas of national cultural vitality and civic duty.
In Command focuses on Roosevelt’s career-long commitment to transforming the military institutions of the United States. Roosevelt’s promotion of innovative military technologies, his desire to inject the officer corps with fresh vigor, and his role in building new institutions for command changed the American military landscape. His attempt to modernize the military while struggling with the changing nature of warfare during his time resonates with and provides unique insight into the challenges presented by today’s rapidly changing strategic environment.
Advance Praise
“Matthew Oyos has made an informed, balanced, and provocative contribution to the field of civil-military relations. With great clarity and insight he reveals the contributions of this most activist of presidents in the making of American global military power.”—Brian McAllister Linn, Ralph R. Thomas Professor in Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University
“This sound, thoughtful, engaging, and persuasive book offers the first comprehensive portrait of Theodore Roosevelt’s involvement with the military. It deepens our understanding of Roosevelt as the first modern American commander in chief and the way his persona drove his interests and shaped his activities. Matthew Oyos makes an indispensable contribution to the scholarship on the presidency, on Roosevelt, and on the modernization of the American military establishment.”—Richard H. Kohn, professor emeritus of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781612349671 |
| PRICE | US$36.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 456 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Craig P, Educator
'In Command' tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt's relationship with the military before, during, and after his Presidency. Most readers would be aware of his exploits during the Spanish American War with the Rough Riders. The author, Matthew Oyos, has written extensively about it. TR's ego was seemingly unbounded and he was always looking for ways to use military action and hardware to increase his need for involvement and destiny. The politics of the era could be written by and about politicians of today. TR had to contend with senior military officers and politicians who were more concerned about re-election and promotion than war preparation and efficiency. TR himself was not above ignoring best practices if his actions kept his name in the public eye. He is shown in this book to be very much the hero history has given us to love and the precursor of today's politician we hate.
janet k, Librarian
In Command is a fascinating look at the militaristic tendencies of Theodore Roosevelt. Matthew Oyos offers Roosevelt and military buffs both lots of detail and analysis in this well documented book. I was not aware of all these important moments in Roosevelt's life and just how differently things might have turned out had he governed in war time rather than in peace. In Command is written rather conversationally, which made it easy for me to follow and understand Professor Oyos' conclusions. I very much recommend this important historical account.
