Elusive victories: the American presidency at war

In 'Elusive Victories', Polsky provides a fascinating study of seven wartime presidents, drawing larger lessons about the limits of the power of the White House during armed conflict. He examines, in turn, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, showing how each gravely overestimated his power as commander-in-chief. In each case, these presidents' resources did not match the key challenges that recur from war to war

In 'Elusive Victories', Polsky provides a fascinating study of seven wartime presidents, drawing larger lessons about the limits of the power of the White House during armed conflict. He examines, in turn, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, showing how each gravely overestimated his power as commander-in-chief. In each case, these presidents' resources did not match the key challenges that recur from war to war.

Introduction -- Lincoln casts a shadow -- A war to transform the world: Woodrow Wilson -- Freedom of action: Franklin Roosevelt -- Staying the course: Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon -- The perils of optimism: George W. Bush -- Inheriting a bad hand: Barack Obama -- Conclusion: past and future.

Introduction -- Lincoln casts a shadow -- A war to transform the world: Woodrow Wilson -- Freedom of action: Franklin Roosevelt -- Staying the course: Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon -- The perils of optimism: George W. Bush -- Inheriting a bad hand: Barack Obama -- Conclusion: past and future

Introduction -- Lincoln casts a shadow -- A war to transform the world: Woodrow Wilson -- Freedom of action: Franklin Roosevelt -- Staying the course: Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon -- The perils of optimism: George W. Bush -- Inheriting a bad hand: Barack Obama -- Conclusion: past and future