An analysis of 23 decisions reached by chiefs of state and their military subordinates during World War II. Concerned with important political, strategic, tactical, and logistical questions, they include the invasions of North Africa and Normandy, the use of the atomic bomb, the capture of Rome, the campaigns in the western Pacific, and the internment of Japanese-Americans.

Introductory Essay /Kent Roberts Greenfield -- Germany first : the basic concept of allied strategy in World War II / Louis Morton -- The German decision to invade Norway and Denmark / Earl F. Ziemke -- Decision to land United States forces in Iceland, 1941 / Byron Fairchild -- Japan's decision for war / Louis Morton -- The decision to evacuate the Japanese from the Pacific coast / Stetson Conn -- The decision to withdraw to Bataan / Louis Morton -- The decision to invade North Africa (TORCH) / Leo J. Meyer -- U.S. merchant shipping and the British import crisis / Richard M. Leighton -- The Persian corridor as a route for aid to the USSR / Robert W. Coakley -- Overlord versus the Mediterranean at the Cairo-Tehran conferences / Richard M. Leighton -- MacArthur and the admiralties / John Miller, Jr. -- Hitler's decision on the defense of Italy / Ralph S. Mavrogordato -- General Lucas at Anzio / Martin Blumenson -- General Clark's decision to drive on Rome / Sidney T. Mathews -- The 90-division gamble / Maurice Matloff -- The anvil decision : crossroads of strategy / Maurice Matloff -- General Bradley's decision at Argentan (13 August 1944) / Martin Blumenson -- Logistics and the broad-front strategy / Roland G. Ruppenthal -- The decision to launch operation market-garden / Charles B. MacDonald -- The German counteroffensive in the Ardennes / Charles V.P. von Luttichau -- Luzon versus Formosa / Robert Ross Smith -- The decision to halt at the Elbe / Forrest C. Pogue -- The decision to use the atomic bomb / Louis Morton.