America's Five Star Heroes

Five stars symbolizes the highest rank any officer can achieve in the U.S. armed forces. During WWII, when Germany seemed unstoppable, Japan seemed invincible, England seemed overwhelmed, and America seemed unprepared for global warfare, nine men from different backgrounds took command of the air, land, and naval forces of the United States. Although our country had been blessed from its birth with capable military personnel, never before had so much power been given to so few officers, and never before (or since) was that power used so successfully. The History Channel has combined mini-biographies of Dwight Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Chester Nimitz, George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, William Leahy, Henry Arnold, William Halsey, and Ernest King into one fascinating look at military strategy and tactics in action. Not all of these men were on target each time: Eisenhower was indecisive in the North American campaign, MacArthur's imperious stance threatened many campaigns, and Nimitz often let his personal feelings override his military commonsense, but for the most part these nine men were responsible for some of the most daring, most effective, and most devastating decisions of the war. Sure to be popular, this is definitely recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Carlson)