When Soldiers Fall: How Americans Have Confronted Combat Losses from World War I to Afghanistan
"In this illuminating and deeply researched book, Steven Casey shows the way military casualties have informed debates about American war.  Sometimes broadcast to emphasize American sacrifice, at other times censored, casualties played a crucial role in generating or undermining public support for military action.  An important contribution." --Mary L. Dudziak, author ofWar Time: An Idea, Its History, Its Consequences"This exemplary book enhances Steven Casey's standing as the leading scholar of the domestic context of America's wars during the last hundred years. Broad in scope and engagingly written,When Soldiers Fallwill attract readers interested in America's modern wars, U.S. foreign policy, military history, and twentieth century America." --Ralph B. Levering, author ofThe Cold War: A Post-Cold War History"Steven Casey is brilliant!  Forget everything you think you know about the link between casualties and war. Casey busts myths at every turn of the page.  His captivating story rewrites the history of America's involvement in major wars over the last century as seen through the lens of the fallen and injured soldiers who paid the ultimate price. Especially revealing is the extraordinary deception and manipulation that affected strategy and politics on matters of war and peace.  If, as the saying goes, truth is the first casualty of war, the casualties of war are the first to go." --Kenneth Osgood, author ofTotal Cold War: Eisenhower's Secret Propaganda Battle at Home and Abroad"Casey's book is well worth the read. Senior leaders, planners, strategists and public affairs professionals will learn a great deal from this well-written, thoroughly researched and easy-to-read book."  --Army