Yanks: The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I

by John S.D. Eisenhower and Joanne Thompson Eisenhower

Book Overview

In the perfect match of subject and author, John S. D. Eisenhower, a noted military historian, presents the definitive account of the birth of the modern Amer- ican army and its decisive role in World War I. With the help of his wife Joanne, Eisenhower captures the viewpoints of the actual participants, blending a narrative told from the perspective of top officers with the stories of average soldiers. Drawing on diaries and memoirs, he brings each...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743223853
• ISBN13: 9780743223850
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Tells the story of the AEF in WW1 as on John Eisenhower could!!

I have been reading several of John Eisenhower's books lately, starting with his works on the Mexican War and General Winfield Scott. I've just finished reading Yanks, and found it to be an excellent read just like the others. I wanted my review to specifically respond to some of the criticism of the book I have seen in other reviews, specifically on two points: 1) the detail/length of the book, and 2) Eisenhower's interpretation of America's role in the allied victory. In regards to the length/detail of the book, some of the other reviewers have said that this book's brevity is a weakness because this somehow means that it leaves out important information about the subject. I would say that its brevity is one of its strengths. There have been detailed tomes written about the First World War, and as a history teacher and student, I have read some of them. Too often, the lengthy books on a subject like this get lost in the detail. It is a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees. There is so much information that the story is overwhelmed, and therefore difficult to grasp. Eisenhower, on the other hand, sticks to his subject, i.e. the AEF's role in the war, and provides enough detail while still presenting the story in a readable format. Now, on to Eisenhower's perspective on the AEF's role in the allied victory. Another reviewer called the theory that America won the war a long-refuted myth. This is not a myth at all, but a well founded thesis that Eisenhower supports effectively with his work. The British and French offensives that helped to bring the war to an end would not have been possible if the AEF had not taken a greater role on the western front, thus freeing up the British and French forces necessary to launch their offensive actions. Also, Eisenhower stipulates that the greatest American contributions to the victory were two-fold: fighting spirit and man-power. By the time of America's entry into WW1, the allies were war weary, especially after the Russians withdrew from the war and Ludendorff's offensives of 1918. The American entry, their sense of confidence, and the victories they did win did much to restore the spirit of the allies to continue the fight. And finally, perhaps most importantly, American man-power turned the tide in favor of the allies. Wars are not just won by the men on the line, but on the man-power available to replace them as they become casualties. The Germans were running out, as were the British and the French, but the American strength was growing all the time and their man-power resources were more than any of the other major combatants by that stage of the war (250,000 fresh troops a month by July, 1918). Eisenhower's work is one of scholarship and readablity, which is a welcome combination in a book on such an important, yet now too often overlooked, historical topic.

World War 1 Thoroughly Considered

Brigadier General John S. D. Eisenhower's "Yanks" (2002 paperback) presents the story of America's participation in the First World War (WW1). This book narrates this epic clash by means of eyewitness accounts, official memoranda, and professional history. The book is well documented (with 26 pages of end notes, 5 pages of bibliography, 32 pages of black and white period photos and 16 maps). Eisenhower presents history with candor and panache. He has literally toured WW1's battlefields, towns, and terrain. (As a boy he shook hands with the retired General Pershing- p. xiv). His experience as a US Army officer greatly enhances this book's analysis and presentation. "Yanks" speaks to the many Allied and Central Powers personalities (Wilhelm II, Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, Pershing, Haig, Petain, Foch, Hindenburg, Ludendorff, MacArthur, Marshall, and Patton, etc.) who waged WW1. The Retired General also presents interesting vignettes from the western front. Readers learn of Patton's leg wound incurred while marching before his tanks into battle at Argonne, the Lost Battalion's rescue near the Muese River, MacArthur's "capture" by the US 1st Division (the "Big Red One"), and Sergeant York's dramatic single handed capture of 132 German on Oct. 8, 1918 (the month before Armistice). Eisenhower shows how American participation in WW1 prepared the United States for a century of global warfare. Pershing's introduction of the Army Air Force, Patton's transfer from the general staff into the fledgling tank unit, Mitchell's inventive airplane application for bombing, and MacArthur's organizing and leading the Rainbow 42nd division, signaled the beginning of the modern American military. This exciting book is recommended to all students of military history, the early 20th aficionado, army buffs, battle analysts, and those curious about WW1.

A Profesional's View of the War

The author provides a view of US participation in WWI from the standpoint of a profesional staff officer. There is very little action/blood and guts. Instead the author concentrates on the performance of the Army leaders - what they did and why they did it. It is a history of the AEF from a mature perspective.I personally found the book refreshing as it gave me a new view of the personalities involved with the AEF and ultimately with the leadership of the US Army in WWII. It provides a background of the organization of the US Army from WWI through to the present time.

Eisenhower Does It Again

"Yanks" is the fourth book by General Eisenhower I've read in the past two years. I find him to be an accomplished military historian, with a clear, concise writing style, and a unique talent for making complex military operations understandable to the layman.Eisenhower has succeeded once again with "Yanks," his account of the organization of the American Expeditionery Force and its performance during World War I. While a previous reviewer bemoans a surfeit of books on this topic, in my mind, World War I has been eclipsed by the continuing explosion of popular books on World War II. Thus, Eisehower's book is a welcome change of pace. Eisenhower observes that the 20th century's two world wars can actually be understood as two phases of the same war, with a continuum existing between the doughboys of 1918 and the G.I.'s of 1942. Indeed, Eisenhower shows the surprising degree to which the army organized by General Pershing formed the basis for the U.S. army structure in World War II (commanded by the author's father).I found particularly incisive Eisenhower's assertion that the second world war might have been avoided had the political leaders of 1918-19 heeded the wisdom of General Pershing. It was Pershing's view that no armistice should be granted while the Germans still occupied French and Belgian soil. However, the objective of unconditional surrender was anathema to the French and British, who had no stomach for prolonging hostilities after five years of horrific losses. Had the German army been annhilated completely and its homeland occupied (ie., the approach of the allies in World War II), Germany may have been deprived of the means of instigating war some 20 years later. If you are as fond of "Yanks" as I am, I would enthusiastically recommend any of the following Eisenhower titles to you: "A Bitter Wood" (Battle of the Bulge); "So Far From God" (the U.S.-Mexican War) and "Agent of Destiny" (biography of General Winfield Scott, the first and only five-star general between Washington and Grant).

GEN Eisenhower's latest contribution to military history

GEN John D. Eisenhower (USMA'44)'s latest contribution to military history, YANKS, is a worthy addition to the libraries of anyone interested in World War I. As with his previous fine efforts (Bitter Woods, So Far From God, and Agent of Destiny), General Eisenhower's literary skills make for an "easy" read. The book is editorially well-written. More importantly for military historians, the book is exhaustively researched; drawing on numerous official sources and private papers. The book is extensively footnoted and has an impressive bibliography including several recent efforts on World War I. The book contains the all-important maps critical for understanding and "seeing" the numerous battles which are vividly portrayed. The book also offers numerous photographs drawn from official sources and individuals. The book offers a good balance of official history combined with narration of the individuals' contributions to the US involvement in "The War to End All Wars." General Eisenhower offers his insights into the U.S. Army, the combat commanders, the conduct of the war and the personalities involved in the political struggle among the Allies concerning the U.S. effort. In sum, a fine effort.