Zumwalt; The Life and Times of Admiral Elmo Russell "Bud" Zumwalt, Jr.
New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers, 2012. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. [14], 508, [6] pages. Frontis illustration. Illustrations. Chronology of the Career of Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., USN. Author's Research Note. Notes. Index. Inscribed by the author, Larry Berman, on the title page. Inscription reads: For my friend, Friend, Fred--with warm regards. Larry Berman. Larry Berman has written extensively on Vietnam War-related topics and has been featured on C-Span’s “Book TV”, the History Channel’s “Secrets of War”; “The Presidents: To The Best of My Ability”; Bill Moyers’ PBS series, “The Public Mind”; David McCullough’s American Experience series, “Vietnam: A Television History;” and Marvin Kalb’s retrospective on Vietnam. He is a co-recipient of the Richard E. Neustadt Award, given annually for the best book published during the year on the American Presidency. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt commanded U.S. naval forces in Vietnam, and as chief of naval operations dragged the navy into the twentieth century. In a career spanning forty years, he rose to the top echelon of the U.S. Navy as a commander of all navy forces in Vietnam and then as CNO from 1970 to 1974. His tenure came at a time of scandal and tumult, from the Soviets' challenge to the U.S. for naval supremacy and a duplicitous endgame in Vietnam to Watergate and an admirals' spy ring. Derived from a Kirkus review: Admiring biography of Elmo Russell Zumwalt (1920–2000), who transformed the U.S. Navy and went on to an equally commendable career after retirement. Berman (History Emeritus/Univ. of California, Davis) emphasizes how quickly Zumwalt impressed commanders after graduating from Annapolis in 1942 and taking part in naval engagements against Japan. Rising to admiral during the Vietnam War, he commanded the “brown water” navy that patrolled rivers and coasts and suffered heavy casualties from snipers. He approved spraying Agent Orange to defoliate the heavily forested banks, which dramatically reduced casualties but came back to haunt him when its toxicity became known and his son, who served under him, died of cancer from exposure to the chemical. In 1970, President Nixon appointed him Chief of Naval Operations, and he energized the transition away from World War II technology and hidebound personnel policies. The Navy had been integrated for 20 years, but blacks and Filipinos were deliberately given dead-end assignments. Zumwalt changed that, and he allowed beards and longer hair among enlisted men and began permitting women to serve aboard ships. Dealing with major issues, he clashed with leaders such as Adm. Hyman Rickover, who demanded nuclear power in all new ships, and Henry Kissinger over Zumwalt’s opposition to détente. He remained active after retiring in 1974. He led the fight for victims of Agent Orange and served many humanitarian causes.
Readers will agree that he makes a good case that Zumwalt was an outstanding naval leader. Condition: Very good / Very good.
Keywords: Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War, Naval Academy, Naval Operations, Kissinger, Thomas Moorer, Paul Nitze, Rickover, Swift Boats, Mouza
ISBN: 9780061691300
[Book #79209]
Price: $60.00