Zumwalt
The Life and Times of Admiral Elmo Russell "Bud" Zumwalt, Jr.
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $18.99
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
“Painstakingly researched and crafted, Larry Berman’s Zumwalt is a compelling and rich portrait of one of the nation’s great patriots.”
—Walter Anderson, former editor and CEO of Parade
Zumwalt is a compelling portrait of the controversial military man who is widely regarded as the founder of the modern U.S. Navy, Admiral Elmo Russell “Bud” Zumwalt. Chief of Naval Operations during the decades-long Cold War crisis, Zumwalt implemented major strategic innovations that endure to this day, especially in his campaign against racism and sexism throughout the fleet. Larry Berman, the author of Perfect Spy, offers a fascinating, detailed look at an extraordinary man—winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom—an inspiring portrait of leadership that is essential in these troubled times.
How did one admiral challenge a century of tradition to remake the world’s most powerful navy and fight for the sailors under his command?
Military Reform: From eliminating demeaning regulations with his controversial "Z-grams" to his tireless campaign against racism and sexism, see how Zumwalt forced a hidebound institution into the 20th century.Cold War Command: As the youngest-ever Chief of Naval Operations, Zumwalt faced down the burgeoning Soviet naval threat, implementing strategic innovations that define the fleet to this day.The Vietnam War: Go inside the Mekong Delta with the leader of the "Brown Water Navy" and witness the difficult decisions made in combat, including the order to use Agent Orange.Agent Orange and Veterans’ Rights: Discover the heartbreaking personal story of how Admiral Zumwalt's own son became a casualty of the war, turning the admiral into a lifelong champion for veterans afflicted by service-related ailments.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Berman, professor emeritus at UC-Davis (Lyndon Johnson's War), addresses one of the Vietnam War's central figures. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt (1920 2000) commanded Navy forces in Vietnam from 1970 to 1974 and served as the youngest chief of naval operations in history. Both appointments were demanding in challenging times; Berman describes Zumwalt as rising to the situation. He understood that the Navy could no longer remain "oblivious to the needs of civilian society and the dignity of its personnel." Zumwalt also understood the necessity for restoring the Navy after the wear and tear of Vietnam, and meeting an increasingly formidable Soviet maritime challenge. Berman's solid command of archival and published sources underpins his analysis of a career that began during WWII and continued during the cold war. Berman establishes Zumwalt's controversial efforts to reduce racism and sexism, and adjust the Navy to the changing lifestyles and attitudes of its sailors. He recognizes Zumwalt's acumen in defense politics, especially issues of budgeting and ship construction. His underlying theme, however, is Zumwalt's position as the conscience of an institution undergoing fundamental, comprehensive transformation. Zumwalt showed that "the navy's not as great as it thinks it is." His tombstone bears a fitting word: "reformer." 16 pages of b&w photos.
