📖 Overview
Allan R. Millett is a military historian specializing in the history of American military institutions and twentieth-century warfare. He served as a professor at Ohio State University for over three decades and is currently the Stephen E. Ambrose Professor of Military History and Director of the Eisenhower Center for American Studies at the University of New Orleans.
His research and writings on the Korean War are particularly significant, with works like "The War for Korea, 1945-1950: A House Burning" and "The War for Korea, 1950-1951: They Came from the North" establishing him as a leading authority on the conflict. Millett also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, retiring as a colonel, bringing practical military experience to his academic work.
Millett's contributions to military historiography include "For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States" (co-authored with Peter Maslowski), which has become a standard text in military history courses. His work "Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps" is considered the definitive history of the Marine Corps.
The historian has received numerous awards for his scholarship, including the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing and the Society for Military History's Samuel Eliot Morison Prize. His research has influenced both academic understanding of military history and practical military education in service academies and war colleges.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Millett's detailed research and academic rigor in military history, particularly his works on the Korean War and Marine Corps. His writing demonstrates deep knowledge but can be dense with facts and statistics.
Likes:
- Thorough documentation and extensive source material
- Balanced analysis of military leadership and strategy
- Clear explanations of complex military operations
Dislikes:
- Academic writing style can be dry and difficult to follow
- Heavy focus on organizational details over human elements
- Some find the level of detail overwhelming
Ratings:
Goodreads:
- "For the Common Defense" - 3.8/5 (127 ratings)
- "Semper Fidelis" - 4.1/5 (89 ratings)
- "A War to Be Won" - 4.2/5 (156 ratings)
Amazon averages 4.3/5 across his works, with readers frequently noting the books serve better as references than casual reading. Multiple reviewers mention needing to re-read sections to fully grasp the dense material.
📚 Books by Allan R. Millett
The War for Korea, 1945-1950: A House Burning
Examines the political, economic, and social dynamics that led to the Korean War, focusing on the period between Japan's surrender and North Korea's invasion of the South.
The War for Korea, 1950-1951: They Came from the North Details the first year of the Korean War, including the North Korean invasion, UN intervention, and Chinese entry into the conflict.
For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012 Chronicles American military history from colonial times through modern warfare, covering major conflicts and military developments.
Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps Presents a comprehensive history of the U.S. Marine Corps from its founding in 1775 through the late 20th century.
Their War for Korea: American, Asian, and European Combatants and Civilians, 1945-1953 Analyzes the Korean War through the perspectives of various participants, including soldiers and civilians from multiple nations.
A War to Be Won: Fighting the Second World War Provides a strategic overview of World War II, examining military operations, leadership, and the war's impact on both soldiers and civilians.
In Many a Strife: General Gerald C. Thomas and the U.S. Marine Corps, 1917-1956 Chronicles the career of Marine Corps General Gerald C. Thomas and his influence on the development of the modern Marine Corps.
The General: Robert L. Bullard and Officership in the United States Army, 1881-1925 Examines the military career of General Robert L. Bullard and the evolution of American military leadership in the early 20th century.
The War for Korea, 1950-1951: They Came from the North Details the first year of the Korean War, including the North Korean invasion, UN intervention, and Chinese entry into the conflict.
For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012 Chronicles American military history from colonial times through modern warfare, covering major conflicts and military developments.
Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps Presents a comprehensive history of the U.S. Marine Corps from its founding in 1775 through the late 20th century.
Their War for Korea: American, Asian, and European Combatants and Civilians, 1945-1953 Analyzes the Korean War through the perspectives of various participants, including soldiers and civilians from multiple nations.
A War to Be Won: Fighting the Second World War Provides a strategic overview of World War II, examining military operations, leadership, and the war's impact on both soldiers and civilians.
In Many a Strife: General Gerald C. Thomas and the U.S. Marine Corps, 1917-1956 Chronicles the career of Marine Corps General Gerald C. Thomas and his influence on the development of the modern Marine Corps.
The General: Robert L. Bullard and Officership in the United States Army, 1881-1925 Examines the military career of General Robert L. Bullard and the evolution of American military leadership in the early 20th century.