Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-386) and index.
Introduction -- A Baltimore youth, 1903-20 -- The Annapolis years, 1920-24 -- Showing the flag, 1924-27 -- In search of a vocation, 1927-29 -- On general assignment, 1929-36 -- A new assignment, 1937 -- Distant thunder, 1938-39 -- Danger ahead, prepare now, 1940-41 -- "This is a war we can lose", 1942 -- War and the 1943 prize -- Total war, 1944 -- 1945: the road's end -- The world of tomorrow, 1946-49 -- Korea, 1950-53 -- The dean of American military analysts, 1950s -- The winds of change: The times and Washington, 1961-66 -- Duty and despair: the Vietnam War, 1962-68 -- An old-fashioned fellow, 1969-80s