Considered one of most influential U. S. military officers of the twentieth century, William E. DePuy (1919--1992) developed the education and training program that regenerated the U.S. Army after the Vietnam War. Henry G. Gole draws from sources such as transcripts and letters in DePuy's personal papers, interviews with those who knew him best, and secondary literature to trace DePuy's life from child to decorated officer to commander of Training and Doctrine Command. General William E. DePuy: Preparing the Army for Modern War is the first book-length biography of the important figure who revolutionized military training and created a modern program for doctrine, education, and combat development that is still used today.
About the Author :
Henry G. Gole is the author of The Road to Rainbow and Soldiering.
Review :
"In a detailed new biography of DuPuy, historian (and retired Special Forces officer) Henry Gole provides a balanced and comprehensive assessment of the oft-controversial general. It is a book filled with "Ah, so that is why X happened at Y date" moments, and it is a worthy addition to any bookshelf." -- History.Net
""[DePuy] was a dynamic, intelligent, hard-driving officer whose personality an military record have been well captured by author Henry G. Cole." Journal of America's Military Past" -- Journal of America's Military Past
""General William E. DePuy had an interesting and significant career spanning from combat in the World War II through the rebuilding of the Army after the Vietnam War. Henry Gole's excellent biography is an important contribution to American military history." Edward M. Coffman, author of The Regulars: The American Army, 1898-1941" -- Edward M. Coffman
""General William E. DePuy: Preparing the Army for Modern War is a superb contribution to our knowledge of our army's transformation and provides much food for thought about the forthcoming challenges of regeneration and reorientation the nation faces."--Parameters" --
""Readers less familiar with that army might better understand how painfully slow its post-Vietnam healing was, and the extent of heroin addiction, racism, illiteracy, and gener"al systematic dysfunction that junior combat arms leaders continued to confront daily." Military History of the West" -- Military History of the West
""The book is loaded with valuable information about Gen. William E. Depuy. It answers many questions and leaves the reader wanting to know more about the man."--Army Magazine" --
"An excellent biography of a man who has been largely ignored by historians. It provides a much needed re-examination of the early post-Vietnam Army and the men who created and built what is regarded today as the best army in the world." -- Bowling Green Daily News
"An unbiased and objective study, the book reveals both DePuy's great strengths and his human weaknesses." -- Air Power History
"Gole not only conducts a comprehensive examination of DePuy's contributions to the Army but also provides insight into the complexities of the man and his motivations.... Well written in a highly engaging style and extremely informative." -- Marine Corps University Journal
