Douglas MacArthur: to his admirers, the greatest soldier in American history; to his critics, a pompous five-star fake. Always colorful, always controversial, MacArthur was one of the dominant figures of the American century. Here, for the first time, is a complete and accurate account of his tumultuous military career and his failed presidential ambitions. Geoffrey Perret, author of groundbreaking works on the history of the U.S. Army and the Army Air Forces in World War II, is the first biographer to have enjoyed unlimited access to MacArthur's official military records, reports, correspondence, and diaries. Perret's biography reveals for the first time the truth about: the famous Pershing-MacArthur feud that cost MacArthur the Medal of Honor in World War I and later let to his banishment to Manila; MacArthur's stormy first marriage, to one of the richest women in the world; how columnist Drew Pearson blackmailed MacArthur over his teenage mistress; MacArthur's role in evicting the Bonus Army from Washington in 1932; why MacArthur's air force was wiped out at Clark Field after receiving the warning from Pearl Harbor; the notorious payment of $500,000 to MacArthur shortly before his daring escape from the Philippines; MacArthur's controversial role in Pacific War strategy; President Truman's secret plan to fire MacArthur two years before the Korean War; MacArthur's successes and failures in the occupation of Japan; the brilliant landing at Inchon, masterminded by MacArthur; and, the crucial Wake Island conference between Truman and MacArthur, and Truman's decision to relieve MacArthur of his command. Unmatched in its candor, authority, and understanding, this landmark biography charts a career unique in American history.

Includes maps of: [France and Vicinity]; [Mariana and Marshall Islands]; [Coral Sea]; [New Guinea]; [South Pacific Ocean - Solomon Islands]; [South China Sea - Philippines]; [Japan].

The sound of bugles -- The happiest years -- The Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps -- A tragic joke -- Woodwork -- Soldier's soldier -- The dominant feature -- Bon! -- Americans don't quite -- D'Artagnan of the Army -- The noblest development of mankind -- Sir Boss -- Great men -- The Army of the Far East -- Times when men must die -- I shall return -- These days of stress -- You must go forward -- The continuous application of airpower -- Boom! Boom! -- My Ku Klux Klan -- A new kind of warfare -- I will push on that plan -- Rally to me -- Go to Manila -- It will terminate this year -- Big number one -- let history decide -- Ten thousand angels -- With one arm tied behind my back -- We're going home -- I bid you goodbye.