'Quagmire' analogists about Vietnam and our second Iraq war should make this succinct study of David Shoup's career required reading. Skillfully blending biography and context, Professor Jablon illuminates core intersections of American diplomacy with economic factors and military power during the past seventy-five years. After rising from his 'Old China hand' interwar lieutenancy to overall command of his beloved Corps, Shoup, distressed by Vietnam, echoed anti-useless war positions expressed by other battle weary bestarred Marines, especially Generals Smedley Butler and Tony Zinni.

Harold Hyman, Hobby Professor of History, Emeritus, Rice University

David Shoup received the Medal of Honor for his key role as architect and executioner of the assault plan for Tarawa Atoll in 1943. Howard Jablon captures the essence of this enigmatic Marine-a warrior who wrote poetry, disdained politics, and opposed the Vietnam War.

Col. Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret.), author of Utmost Savagery: The Three Days of Tarawa

This biography, with its chronology of events, 1904–83, and handsome bibliography, would suit the general reader as a solid overview.

Phyllis A. Zimmerman, Ball State University, Journal of Military History

Howard Jablon has rescued David M. Shoup from historical obscurity and uses Shoup's service as a Marine officer from lieutenant to Commandant as a window on American foreign policy and wars.

Allan R. Millett, Eisenhower Center for American Studies and The Ohio State University