Full Description
A concise history of America's relationship with its veterans, from the Revolution and Civil War to Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Millions of veterans live among us and are part of one the largest social groups in America. They have redefined civil rights, activism, and public policy for our entire history. Their stories are our stories.
Veterans and America: From the Revolution to Today examines four hundred years of military service, social recognition, activism, and public policy. Michael D. Gambone addresses the evolving nature of military service from the colonial era to our contemporary global contingency operations and the concurrent relationship between veterans and American society as a whole. He illustrates the nature of military service and its impact on veterans, from the American Revolution to Vietnam and the "Forever Wars" of today, and explores veterans' social standing in American society to understand its impact on how the country sees and recognizes military service.
Highlighting veterans' relevance to politics, culture, social reform, economics, and more, Gambone ultimately argues for public policy reform to understand how military service is compensated and to mitigate the impact of that service on individual veterans. From the first piecemeal efforts of individual colonies to the massive national safety net first constructed by the 1944 G.I. Bill, the country must do better for those who have nobly served it. An essential read for anyone interested in veterans' affairs and their evolving struggles through centuries of American history.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Chapter One: The Revolutionary War
Chapter Two: The Early Republic
Chapter Three: The Civil War
Chapter Four: American Empire
Chapter Five: The Great War
Chapter Six: The Interwar Period
Chapter Seven: World War II
Chapter Eight: The Cold War
Chapter Nine: Vietnam
Chapter Ten: The All-Volunteer Military
Chapter Eleven: September 11th and Afterward
Conclusions
Bibliographic Essay
Index
About the Author
