Product reviewsAmerican Caesar : Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964 by William Manchester (1978, Hardcover)

General Douglas MacArthur

I have been a student of WWII in the Pacific for the past few years. No study of the war is complete without a detailed reading of General Douglas MacArthur. He was so much a part of WWII from when the Japan attached the Philippines shortly after Pearl Harbor until the surrender of Japan and even the years following when the US reconstructed the country. This book list his life from birth to death. As he was raised in the shadows of his father, also a general, through his West Point years and military career. It appears that this book is out of print and only former library copies are available. I have even bought several copies as gifts. Highly recommended if you have any interest in US military history.Read full review...

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The book is a terrific experience.

In terms of a major RETHINK of the past century and my 60 odd years as a member, this book deeply shook up my grasp of the century, and really, part of the 19th century as well. I rate it as among the 5 best books I have ever read. From one grossly underinformed and biased I gained a keen sense of the years leading up to the Pacific War (I am too well informed on the European War)and the conflagration the engulfed my father's generation. Marvelously informative, evenhanded and fair-minded in presentation, logical and thorough with sequence of events, with the major players, of the critical brilliance of some highly responsible men, to the mediocre and sheer stupidity of others: it all comes together in remarkable clarity. I never understood the Pacific War or its importance in the civilized world we have today. And most awakening of all, I realized it is due, at least in the Asian Pacific World and most likely in Europe as well, to the brilliant mind of our "American Caesar", Douglas MacArthur.

And this man, in my self-certain bias, I abhorred for his own self certainty and displays of arrogance. It is a marvelous story of a great man who like the rest of us has many flaws. Yet his are overshadowed by his incredible mind, and as importantly, his unyielding broad and liberal sense of Christian values and belief in American democracy.

To the open mind, one curious about human nature in peace and in war, this book is essential to those who wish to be educated. 5 STARS and then some.
Thank God we had such a man at the right time, in the right place, making the right decisionsRead full review...

Wish it were a Kindle Book!

I bid on this book because a close friend raved about it and convinced me that I had to read it. So far I have gotten through the first chapter, and I am not sure I will succeed in finishing the book anytime soon.
I am fascinated by MacArthur and the Second Word War, and I am sure this will be great reading if I can devote the time required. However, the print it so tiny (and the book is so long) that my eyes tire quickly and I begin to lose interest. Recently I got acquainted with Kindle reading and there is just nothing like it, especially for 75 year old eyes. If it is ever available on Kindle I will probably buy it and pass this lovely book to one of my younger friends.Read full review...

A must-read for students of military history.

This is a book if you are a student of military history no matter whether you like MacArthur or not this is a tactical history of the US army in the Pacific war n Korean war. He was able to take whatever Washington was willing to give him and managed to push back the Japanese,hypothetically thank how fast he could have pushed them back if he had had the manpower and resources that was given to the European campaign.Read full review...

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wonderful complex book

William Maanchester is one of our great writers. And Douglas MacArthur is certainly an enigmatic character. The research that went into lthis book (as well as Manchesters other books) is just daunting. Manchester pulls no punches and explodes some of the myths that I grew up with Forget fiction-this book presents proof that 'the truth can be much stranger than fiction' If you like to read this is a great one.Read full review...

Most Accurate MacArthur Biography Ever

Manchester delivers the most accurate biography of MacArthur including Mac’s autobiography. His meticulous research is evident throughout and he disproves many of the myths. He doesn’t hide the warts and he gives kudos where due. The book is Manchester at his best.Read full review...

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Lesson: Don't buy a used Library Book

Superbly written....

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boreing

dull but a great subject

'love the title

good value

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Book in good shape.

Book in good shape.

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