Overview
"The most important book on the American armed forces in recent years, brilliantly documented and powerfully presented."—Charles Moskos, author of A Call to Civic Service"A clear, concise review of the history and current condition of a major public question-how people are induced to serve and risk their lives for the nation."—John Shy, author of A People Numerous and Armed
"A major contribution, and quite timely given the nature of world affairs today."—John Sibley Butler, author of Inequality in the Military: The Black Experience
Author Biography: David R. Segal, professor of sociology and of government and politics at the University of Maryland, is coeditor of Life in the Rank and File and The Social Psychology of Military Service and coauthor of The All-Volunteer Force.
Editorials
American Journal of Sociology
Policymakers will find much to debate in Segal's controversial suggestions for the future of the U.S. military.Choice
Required reading for those involved in the policy debate and decision making.Military Review
The definitive overview of U.S. military manpower history.Parameters
The subject is covered in minute detail, starting with a comprehensive review of pertinent American history and concluding with a marshaling of arguments on all sides of such issues as voluntarism vs. conscription, forces-in-being vs. mobilization, social-welfare vs. military readiness, and big wars vs. small. Just when you think the author cannot possibly tackle another aspect, he does so with crystal-clear logic, seriousness tempered with gentle humor, and graceful prose.Most remarkable is his mastery of the strategic considerations which rightly underlie the design and manning of forces. In an area where muddled thinking is not uncommon, this book is a beacon of sound thought.