March 14, 2010
Book Review: American Caesar
What do you do when you have a subordinate who has a list of military decorations as long as your arm? Has led troops into battle with little or no regard for his own life? Has been a faithful if sometimes controversial public servant for over forty years? Is a tactical genius? Has protected Australia from invasion? Has turned a retreating army into an attacking one? Has reconquered the Philippines? Has defeated a ruthless enemy? Has transformed said ruthless enemy from a warlike totalitarian state into a peaceful democratic society? Has held Communism at bay in the face of conflicting and confused foreign policy on the home front?
If you are Harry Truman, you fire him, of course--in the most humiliating way imaginable, designed to bring him the most personal pain possible.
William Manchester's American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964
brings the epic personality of Douglas MacArthur to life. In his detailed, even-handed style Manchester examines the circumstances that made MacArthur what he was (Union war-hero father, Confederate belle mother, etc.). He then follows the General's unique career.
Endowed with a brilliant mind and enormous (if fragile) ego, MacArthur was a product of the 19th century who saw far into the 20th and 21st. He was at once flamboyant and practical, generous and vindictive. He was a master of the craft of war, and longed to see it abolished. He is regarded as a hero in the nation he rescued (the Philippines) and the nation he defeated (Japan).
All of this Manchester, in his inimitable style, brings to life without attempting to reconcile the stark contrasts. Indeed, the contrasts made MacArthur who he was. The consummate biographer, Manchester details how MacArthur's own pettiness during the Korean conflict was resulted in disaster for him. He also shows how Truman's pettiness (not to mention underhandedness) resulted in disaster for the nation. The policies set for for Korea (the ones MacArthur opposed with every fiber of his being) set in motion the unspeakable horrors, not only of that war, but of Vietnam.
I personally learned much from this volume, and not just of a historical nature. Those who are in positions of leadership--be they pastors, missionaries, or executives--have much to gain by studying the brilliant successes and tragic failures of General Douglas MacArthur. Many men become larger-than-life after history has garnished their image. MacArthur truly lived larger-than-life.
It has been a long time since the United States has produced a gigantic personality like MacArthur, and the world is the poorer for it.
Talk back to the missionary: What lessons have you learned from historical figures? Share the wealth in the comments section.
Posted by Andrew on March 14, 2010 4:03 PM.
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