Johnson examines the U.S. Army's Innovations for both armor and aviation between the world wars, arguing that the tank became a captive of the conservative infantry and cavalry branches, while the airplane's development was channeled by air power insurgents bent on creating an independent air force. He maintains that as a consequence, the tank's potential was hindered by the traditional arms, while air power advocates focused mainly on proving the decisiveness of strategic bombing, neglecting the mission of tactical support for ground troops. Minimal interaction between ground and air officers resulted in insufficient cooperation between armored forces and air forces.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff's Professional reading list, 2017. First published: Ithaca : Cornell University Press, 1998. Includes bibliographical references (p. 231-283) and index. Military Reading List: Army 2017.

1.America, the Army, and the Great War -- 2. The Tank Corps -- 3. The Air Service -- 4. The Army in the Aftermath of the Great War -- 5. Peace and Quiet -- 6. Infantry Tanks -- 7. The Failed Revolution and the Evolution of Air Force -- 8. The War Department -- 9. From Domestic Depression to International Crusade -- 10. Alternatives for Armor -- 11. Autonomous Air Power -- 12. A Crisis in the War Department -- 13. The Arsenal of Attrition -- 14. Armored Bludgeon -- 15. Air Force Triumphant -- 16. Coequal Land Power and Air Power. 1. America, the Army, and the Great War -- 2. The Tank Corps -- 3. The Air Service -- 4. The Army in the Aftermath of the Great War -- 5. Peace and Quiet -- 6. Infantry Tanks -- 7. The Failed Revolution and the Evolution of Air Force -- 8. The War Department -- 9. From Domestic Depression to International Crusade -- 10. Alternatives for Armor -- 11. Autonomous Air Power -- 12. A Crisis in the War Department -- 13. The Arsenal of Attrition -- 14. Armored Bludgeon -- 15. Air Force Triumphant -- 16. Coequal Land Power and Air Power.