This two-volume series serves as a unique window to view the U.S. Army's entry onto the world stage. Faced with entry into the "Great War," the country called upon its military leaders to prepare the Army for combat. What follows is the in-depth story of how the American military and civilian leadership created and trained the Doughboys. In less than eighteen months, America's Army would grow from its humble beginning to fielding over a million soldiers in the Meuse-Argonne campaign. Training and leading this force into battle against the Imperial German Army were some of the great names in American military history, including such stalwarts as John J. Pershing, George Marshall, and Leonard Wood. Here is the story of their perseverance and courage that ultimately defeated the enemy and helped to win the war. AUTHOR: Alexander Barnes brings a unique perspective to the study of U.S. military history by combining his 30 years of military experience in the Marine Corps and the Army with his scholarly training as a professional archeologist. He uses this background and education to provide understanding of military events and processes and is often able to explain why events happened rather than just how they occurred. His first book, "In a Strange Land; the American Occupation of Germany 1918-1919" was well received and considered to be the definitive study of the American Army's occupation of the German Rhineland after the end of WWI. His second book, "Let's Go! The History of the 29th Infantry Division from 1917 to 2001," is an easy to read narrative for the amateur historian and a valuable research tool for the professional historian. He is currently employed as an Army civilian at Fort Lee, Virginia. 649 colour and b/w photographs
