Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks: Dishonorable Leadership in the U.S. Military

Jeffrey J. Matthews' book "Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks" examines bad leadership in American military history over the past one hundred years, including war crimes, moral cowardice, sex crimes, insubordination, toxic leadership, and obstruction of justice. It offers valuable lessons in leadership and highlights the role of honorable military leadership in our democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2023
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

The United States military is renowned for its commitment to duty, honor, and country, and its flag officers are held to the highest standards of leadership. However, a troubling trend has emerged in recent years, with a small minority of U.S. flag officers engaging in criminal and unethical behavior. In his book, Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks, award-winning author Jeffrey J. Matthews delves into the history of bad leadership in the American military over the past one hundred years.

Beginning with war crimes committed during the Philippine-American War and ending with the recent Fat Leonard corruption scandal, Matthews examines a range of leadership failures, including moral cowardice, sex crimes, insubordination, toxic leadership, and obstruction of justice. He offers a fascinating analysis of the bases and motives that lead to these missteps and explores what can be done to prevent future misconduct of generals and admirals.

One of the most significant themes of the book is the vital role that honorable military leadership plays in our democracy. Matthews argues that the military must be held to the highest standards of conduct and that any misconduct by flag officers must be swiftly and transparently addressed. He also highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in the military justice system, ensuring that those who commit crimes are held responsible for their actions.

The book also includes an up-to-date examination of President Trump's term in office, which highlights the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the military and civilian leadership. Matthews argues that the military must be independent of political influence and that civilian leaders must respect the chain of command and the decisions of military officers.

In conclusion, Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks is a frank and historically grounded book that offers valuable lessons in leadership that will stimulate further debate and critical self-assessment within the U.S. military. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges facing the military and the importance of maintaining the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268206529