The Writing of American Military History

The Writing of American Military History: A Guide should stimulate intelligent probing into the past with an eye to the future. This, in turn, should lead to increased wisdom and, therefore, to wiser decisions and better execution throughout the Army in peace and war. The primary purpose of this text is to bring order out of chaos in the fields of historical study and research in the United States Army. In line with the views of Clausewitz, the principal object of the text is to stimulate a progressive and scientific study of United States military history and leadership with the hope that it will "produce searching rather than inventive minds and cool rather than hot heads," to which the safety of our country can be most advantageously entrusted in time of emergency or war. All officers of the United States Army, but particularly those having historical assignments and undergoing instruction at the service schools and colleges or civilian educational institutions, will find the text helpful. Scholars and others interested in American military affairs may also find it very useful. The Writing of American Military History: A Guide was orginally published by the Department of the Army in June 1956.