In 1945 the great victors of World War II stood face to face amid the smoldering ruins of Hitler's Germany. President Roosevelt had hoped to continue the Allied cooperation of the war years, but within four years the United States and the Soviet Union became arch adversaries. At the center of this tragic transition was a brilliant military engineer who as his country's proconsul in occupied Germany always influenced and often made America's foreign policy. General Lucius D. Clay came to Germany to destroy, and remained to restore. He was sent to appeased the Russians, but stayed to oppose them. As Military Governor he was the United States in Germany. In each detail from punishment of war criminals to supplying food for the defeated enemy, from denazification to currency reform, from the promotion of German exports to the Berlin Airlift, it was the dominating presence of this tough West Pointer that shaped events. In his detailed behind-the-scenes narration, a member of the Economic Division of Clay's Military Government gives a factual account of the achievements as well as the shortcomings of this dedicated and courageous public servant whose fate it was to play a key role in restructuring Europe. John H. Backer offers a perceptive analysis of General Lucius D. Clay's complex personality.

Includes bibliographical references (p.294-311) and index. Includes index.

Taking the reins -- The setting -- Bad orders -- The power of the purse strings -- A general sets policy -- A temporary expedient -- The President sets policy -- Falling in line -- Fate intervenes again -- Defending Berlin -- And engineering the ramparts -- An end and a beginning.