Since its creation by the National Security Act of 1947 the office of secretary of defense has grown rapidly in power and influence, surpassing at times that of the secretary of state to become second only to the presidency in the government of the United States. The pivotal secretaries, according to Kinnard, are James Forrestal, Charles Wilson, Robert McNamara, Melvin Laird, and James Schlesinger.

Kinnard analyzes the administration of each of these secretaries not only within the domestic and international contexts of his time but also within the bureaucratic world in which the secretary functions along with the president and secretary of state.

About the Author
Douglas Kinnard, a 1944 graduate of West Point, served in combat in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, retiring as a brigadier general. After receiving a Ph.D. from Princeton, he taught at the University of Vermont, at which he is now professor emeritus of political science. Subsequently, he served as Army Chief of Military History and was on the faculties of the Naval War College and the National Defense University. Now a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, he is the author of seven books.


Book Information
ISBN 9780813114347
Author Douglas Kinnard
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint The University Press of Kentucky
Publisher The University Press of Kentucky