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American Caesar - Douglas Macarthur 1880-1964 (1978) Front Cover Book Details Genre Biography; Non-Fiction Subject Generals - United States - Biography; MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964; United States - History, Military - 20th Century; United States. Army - Biography Publication Date 9/30/1978 Format Hardcover (9.3 x 6.1 mm) Publisher Little Brown & Company Language English Extras Dust Jacket; Dust Jacket Cover Description MacArthur, the public figure, the private man, the soldier-hero whose mystery and appeal created a uniquely American legend, portrayed in a brilliant biography that will challenge the cherished myths of admirers and critics alike. Book jacket. Personal Details Acquire Date 6/10/2010 Condition Good/Good Rating 0 Links Library of Congress Product Details LoC Classification E745.M3 .M27 Dewey 355.3310924 ISBN 9780316544986 Cover Price $15.00 No. of Pages 793 First Edition No Rare No Notes/Review Second printing Boards slightly stained. Bump on top of end board. ----------------------------------------------------------------- This book sat on my bookshelf for years before I was willing to make the investment necessary. This is 800 pages of small print (including the index, notes, and bibliography). There are a number of photographs scattered throughout the book and a few maps in the middle. If the battles had been covered in more detail I'd have wanted more maps than are provided, but as this book is about the man rather than the battles they are sufficient. Reading this book I realized that, although I've read quite a bit about World War II, I haven't studied any of the battles fought by MacArthur's forces (other than Bataan/Corregidor). I need to address this oversight. What I have learned about MacArthur prior to reading this book had to do with the Korean War. As such, I have had quite a negative view of the man. I expect most biographers to have favorable views of their subjects and that is true of Manchester. When the historical record is fuzzy, he gives MacArthur the benefit of the doubt. Fair enough. Some time ago my father asked me who I thought was the greatest American general of WWII. I don't recall my answer; he said it was Marshall. Manchester makes that case that it was MacArthur, and that it wasn't even close. Not only was MacArthur responsible for the rebuilding of Japan much the same way Marshall was responsible for rebuilding Europe, MacArthur also led troops in combat with casualties for all his campaigns less than the casualties in the Battle of the Bulge. I'm left thinking of MacArthur as two separate, distinct people. The brilliant strategist of the southwest Pacific and near-sovereign leading Japan back from destruction versus the man who wanted to lead us into nuclear Armageddon in Korea. More study is warranted.