Book Review: Generals and Admirals, Criminals and Crooks: Dishonorable Leadership in the U.S. Military

Military History |

Author: Jeffrey J. Matthews

| Lieutenant Colonel Josh VanBuskirk, instructor, Defense Strategy Foundation Course, Department of Distance Education, US Army War College
 
In this provocative and meticulously researched book, Jeffrey J. Matthews exposes the dark underbelly of US military leadership through a century of scandals—from war crimes and insubordination to corruption and abuse. Through gripping case studies, Matthews reveals how personal failings, and institutional blind spots have repeatedly undermined the integrity of America’s flag officers. A sobering exploration of power and accountability, the book challenges readers to rethink what ethical leadership truly demands in times of crisis.
 

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Keywords: ethics, leadership failure, war crimes, US military history, civil-military relations