America's First General Staff: A Short History Of The Rise And Fall Of The General Board Of The U.s. Navy, 1900-1950

Synopsis

The General Board Of The Navy, Existing From 1900 To 1950, Was A Uniquely American And Unparalleled Strategic Planning Organization At The Time Of Its Establishment. As John T. Kuehn Shows, This Was The United States' First Modern General Staff In Peacetime, As Well As The Nexus For Naval Thought And Strategic Thinking. The Board's Creation Was Very Much A Reflection Of The Reformist Spirit Of The Times That Also Gave Birth To The Army War College, The Army General Staff, And The Chief Of Naval Operations. By The 1920s, The General Board Was A Permanent Feature Of The Navy And Was Regarded As The Premier Strategic Think Tank For Advice To The Secretary Of The Navy. The Service Of The Men Who Comprised It Is Little-known, But Their Collaborative Ethos Should Serve As A Model For Their Modern Counterparts. Kuehn's Work Offers Both The First Single-volume History Of The General Board Of The Navy, As Well As Analysis Of The U.s. Navy During Periods Of Great Transition In Both Peace And War.--provided By Publisher. What Was The General Board Of The Navy? -- The Naval Reform Movement And The Creation Of The General Board -- In The Shadows Of Nelson And Scharnhorst, 1900-1904 -- From Taylor To Fiske: The General Board, 1904-13 -- The General Board In Peace And War, 1913-18 -- The Challenges Of Peace: From Versailles To Washington, 1918-22 -- The Heyday Of The General Board: From Washington To London And After, 1922-31 -- Innovation And Decline, 1932-41 -- Phoenix Or Icarus? The Resurgence And Death Of The General Board, 1941-51 -- Epilogue. America's First General Staff -- Appendix 1. General Orders Relating To The Establishment And Reorganization Of The General Board Of The Navy -- Appendix 2. Secretaries Of The Navy, 1900-1951 -- Appendix 3. General Board Studies Produced In 1901. John T. Kuehn. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.