The National Security Doctrines of the American Presidency: How They Shape Our Present and Future [2 Volumes] (Praeger Security International)

Commendation Quotes:

"Lamont Colucci has given us a superb and vivid historical roadmap and framework for future understanding of how and why Presidents succeed and fail in implementing nine major, and really timeless, themes of national security. For example, one of Colucci's stars, Harry Truman, did not start with micromanaging tactics and reading opinion polls and then work backwards toward strategy and national security policy."

"Colucci writes with a broad historical sweep from Washington to Obama to explore the doctrinal foundations of the foreign policies of the United States. He argues persuasively that such doctrines best flow from a cohesive view of grand strategy and a clear-eyed conception of the national interest. This impressively wide ranging and penetrating analysis makes a major contribution to our understanding of foreign policy as it has been pursued in good times and in bad."

"An ambitious survey attuned to what makes American national security policy--and America--distinctive. Impressive in its sweep, invigorating in its analysis."

"With the publication of this comprehensive work, Professor Lamont Colucci has performed a valuable service in compiling and analyzing the major doctrines that have shaped our history and defined our national interests. This compendium will be of great value to scholars, statesmen and practitioners, and should be a standard reference work for journalists and writers."

Lamont Colucci, PhD, is associate professor of politics and government at Ripon College, Ripon, WI, and senior fellow in National Security Affairs for the American Foreign Policy Council.

Lamont Colucci has given us a superb and vivid historical roadmap and framework for future understanding of how and why Presidents succeed and fail in implementing nine major, and really timeless, themes of national security. For example, one of Colucci's stars, Harry Truman, did not start with micromanaging tactics and reading opinion polls and then work backwards toward strategy and national security policy.

R. James Woolsey, Former Director of Central Intelligence Agency; Chairman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

With the publication of this comprehensive work, Professor Lamont Colucci has performed a valuable service in compiling and analyzing the major doctrines that have shaped our history and defined our national interests. This compendium will be of great value to scholars, statesmen and practitioners, and should be a standard reference work for journalists and writers.

Richard V. Allen, Former National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, Senior Fellow at The Hoover Institution in War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University

Colucci writes with a broad historical sweep from Washington to Obama to explore the doctrinal foundations of the foreign policies of the United States. He argues persuasively that such doctrines best flow from a cohesive view of grand strategy and a clear-eyed conception of the national interest. This impressively wide ranging and penetrating analysis makes a major contribution to our understanding of foreign policy as it has been pursued in good times and in bad.

Professor Ken Young, Head of Department of Political Economy, King's College, London

An ambitious survey attuned to what makes American national security policy--and America--distinctive. Impressive in its sweep, invigorating in its analysis.

Rich Lowry, Editor of National Review

This two-volume set provides a chronological view of the foreign policy/national security doctrines of key American presidents from Washington to Obama, framed by commentary on the historical context for each, discussions of major themes, and examinations of the lasting impact of these policies.
The National Security Doctrines of the American Presidency: How They Shape our Present and Future provides a chronological examination of the foreign policy and national security doctrines of key American presidents from Washington to Obama, covering everything from our missionary zeal and our pursuit of open navigation of the seas, to our involvement in the ongoing political and military conflicts in the Middle East. It addresses the multiple sources behind the doctrines: real, rhetorical, and ideological. Arranged chronologically, each chapter offers commentary on the historical evolution of these doctrines, identifies the major themes, and highlights unique revelations.

Ideal for universities, colleges, libraries, academics, classroom teachers, policy makers, and the educated electorate, this two-volume set represents a compendium of national security doctrines that explains how these first doctrines have constrained, restrained, and guided every American president regardless of party, providing comprehensive information that cannot be found in any other single source. Further, the work presents the reader with examples and explanations of precisely how these doctrines from long ago as well as those from recent history directly affect our present and future.

"The information offered in this single source stands out, not only for its comprehensiveness and brevity, but for 'its examples and explanations.' "

Choice

"Lamont Colucci has given us a superb and vivid historical roadmap and framework for future understanding of how and why Presidents succeed and fail in implementing nine major, and really timeless, themes of national security. For example, one of Colucci's stars, Harry Truman, did not start with micromanaging tactics and reading opinion polls and then work backwards toward strategy and national security policy."

R. James Woolsey, Former Director of Central Intelligence Agency; Chairman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

"With the publication of this comprehensive work, Professor Lamont Colucci has performed a valuable service in compiling and analyzing the major doctrines that have shaped our history and defined our national interests. This compendium will be of great value to scholars, statesmen and practitioners, and should be a standard reference work for journalists and writers."

Richard V. Allen, Former National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, Senior Fellow at The Hoover Institution in War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford University

"Colucci writes with a broad historical sweep from Washington to Obama to explore the doctrinal foundations of the foreign policies of the United States. He argues persuasively that such doctrines best flow from a cohesive view of grand strategy and a clear-eyed conception of the national interest. This impressively wide ranging and penetrating analysis makes a major contribution to our understanding of foreign policy as it has been pursued in good times and in bad."

Professor Ken Young, Head of Department of Political Economy, King's College, London

"An ambitious survey attuned to what makes American national security policy--and America--distinctive. Impressive in its sweep, invigorating in its analysis."

Rich Lowry, Editor of National Review

The National Security Doctrines of the American Presidency: How They Shape our Present and Future provides a chronological examination of the foreign policy and national security doctrines of key American presidents from Washington to Obama, covering everything from our missionary zeal and our pursuit of open navigation of the seas, to our involvement in the ongoing political and military conflicts in the Middle East. It addresses the multiple sources behind the doctrines: real, rhetorical, and ideological. Arranged chronologically, each chapter offers commentary on the historical evolution of these doctrines, identifies the major themes, and highlights unique revelations.

Ideal for universities, colleges, libraries, academics, classroom teachers, policy makers, and the educated electorate, this two-volume set represents a compendium of national security doctrines that explains how these first doctrines have constrained, restrained, and guided every American president regardless of party, providing comprehensive information that cannot be found in any other single source. Further, the work presents the reader with examples and explanations of precisely how these doctrines from long ago as well as those from recent history directly affect our present and future.

Review Citations:

• Choice 02/01/2013 (EAN 9780313392283, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:Colucci, Lamont C

Lamont Colucci, PhD, is associate professor of politics and government at Ripon College, Ripon, WI, and senior fellow in National Security Affairs for the American Foreign Policy Council.