Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 300
Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4422-7228-6 • Hardback • September 2016 • $50.00 • (£38.00)
978-1-4422-7229-3 • eBook • September 2016 • $47.50 • (£37.00)
C. Richard Nelson was Director of the International Security Program at the Atlantic Council of the United States. He has served in the National Intelligence Council at the CIA and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has also taught political science at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, at National Defense University, and at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Introduction: Why Goodpaster Matters.
Part I. Earning a Reputation
1. Midwestern Roots (1915-1935)
2. Molding a Soldier (1935-1939)
3. Preparing for War (1939-1943)
4. Close Combat (1943-1944)
5. Strategic Planning (1944-1947)
6. First Generation Soldier-Scholars (1947-1950)
Part II. Conducting National Security Affairs
7. Establishing NATO (1951-1954)
8. Eisenhower White House (1954-1961)
9. Commanding an Infantry Division (1961-1962)
10. The Joint Staff (1962-1967)
11. National War College (1967-1968)
12. Vietnam (1968-1969)
13. SACEUR NATO (1969-1974)
Part III. Collaborative Leadership
14. Woodrow Wilson Center (1974-1977)
15. Superintendent, West Point (1977-1981)
16. Bringing Ideas to Power (1974-2005)
17. Connecting Our Past and Future (1974-2005)
18. The Goodpaster Legacies: What Would Andy Do?
Richard Nelson’s excellent biography of General Andrew Goodpaster is a valuable account of the finest officer of our era. I was fortunate to have Goodpaster as a colleague, mentor, and close friend for almost 70 years. His leadership, intellect, and character were unsurpassed among his contemporaries. Goodpaster was a trusted advisor to Generals Marshall and Eisenhower and a valued counselor in the Pentagon and the White House. More than any other officer, he contributed to the thinking and actions which facilitated our successful conclusion of the Cold War. Richard Nelson's accurate and insightful study of General Goodpaster is a must-read for scholars of American military history.
— Edward Rowny, served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, rose to Lieutenant General, and was President Reagan’s chief negotiator at strategic nuclear arms talks
General Goodpaster was my hero. Nelson’s thorough treatment of Goodpaster goes a long way toward explaining why I admire this great American. Goodpaster had an inside view at the highest levels during the closing phases of World War II, throughout the Cold War and in the post-Cold War transition. From this perspective, Goodpaster had an unrivalled understanding of best practices for conducting national security affairs. In telling this story, Nelson insightfully captures Goodpaster’s mind, method and manner. I highly recommend this book.
— Brent Scowcroft, Lt.General (ret.), National Security Advisor for President George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) and President Gerald R. Ford (1975-1977)
National security officials who want to know more about the formation of the American national security state or who are searching for a role model in conducting public service may be interested in this book…. Nelson’s biography is comprehensive when it comes to Goodpaster’s education and roles. He strikes a good balance between describing Goodpaster the Army officer and public servant and Goodpaster the family man.
— The Strategy Bridge