A historian and Citadel tactical officer examines the Civil War's naval conflicts to shed new light on the Union's vital yet overlooked Anaconda campaign.A selection of the Military Book Club.While the Civil War is mainly remembered for epic land battles, the Union waged an equally important campaign at sea—dubbed "Anaconda"—to gradually deprive the South of industry, commerce, and resources. The Rebels responded with fast ships called blocka...

Among dozens of leadership theories, types, and styles, "principled leadership," is increasingly in demand as ethical crises plague more and more organizations and individuals. But despite strong consensus surrounding the need for principled leadership, there is little common understanding of it as an art and science.What exactly is principled leadership? How does it work? How does a leader practice it? What distinguishes it from other leadership types? What does it look like in ac...

This study of the Battle of Vicksburg offers "a thorough campaign history . . . and 30 instructional leadership vignettes" by a Citadel tactical officer ( Military Review).Considered by many historians to be the truly decisive battle of the Civil War, Vicksburg is fascinating on many levels. A focal point of both western armies, the campaign of maneuver that finally isolated the Confederates in the city was masterful. The Navy's contribution to the Union vi...

Mississippians have long found the need for an arsenal of interesting, lethal, and imaginative weapons. Native Americans, frontier outlaws, antebellum duelists, authorities and protestors in the civil rights struggle, and present-day hunters have used weapons to survive, to advance causes, or to levy societal control.In Weapons of Mississippi, Kevin Dougherty examines the roles weapons have played in twelve phases of state history. Dougherty not only offers technical backg...

Mississippians have long found the need for an arsenal of interesting, lethal, and imaginative weapons. Native Americans, frontier outlaws, antebellum duelists, authorities and protestors in the civil rights struggle, and present-day hunters have used weapons to survive, to advance causes, or to levy societal control.In Weapons of Mississippi, Kevin Dougherty examines the roles weapons have played in twelve phases of state history. Dougherty not only offers technical backg...

The Union victory at Gettysburg is widely considered the turning point of the Civil War but many scholars consider the capture of Vicksburg the decisive action. Building on a well-established body of literature--including the author's previous work--this book provides a comprehensive narrative and single-volume reference work on the Vicksburg Campaign.The action is traced from Farragut's failed navy-only efforts to bypass the city, through Grant's botched series of canal schemes, t...

President Bill Clinton, speaking as might any commander-in-chief, on the eve of his decision to deploy ground troops to Bosnia in 1995, declared he had "no responsibility more grave than putting soldiers in harm's way." Such a statement suggests that a study of the decision-making process associated with the weighty matters of using force would be enlightening. Indeed, it is. The decision-making process is far from standardized nor is it simple.While all individuals associated with...

The Port Royal Experiment builds on classic scholarship to present not a historical narrative but a study of what is now called development and nation-building. The Port Royal Experiment was a joint governmental and private effort begun during the Civil War to transition former slaves to freedom and self-sufficiency. Port Royal Harbor and the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina were liberated by Union Troops in 1861. As the Federal advance began, the white plantation owner...

This is an exploration of the Charleston Campaign in the Civil War through the lens of leadership. Part One, "Understanding Charleston," contains a discussion of leadership, a campaign overview, and a brief introduction to the key participants. Part Two, "Leadership Vignettes," includes 21 scenarios that span the actions of the most senior leaders down to those of individual soldiers. Each scenario provides the context, explains the action in the terms of leadership lessons learned, and co...

“A real page turner: a must read for devotees of America’s struggle for Liberty, and for scholars and students of the Military Art of Leadership. Joining history and modern management thought in one volume—illuminating great men in the crucible of crisis and combat: from the strategic to the tactical, from the political to the logistical. Here is a compelling, expert-telling of the Revolutionary War in its critical human dimension: Leadership. Steven Smith and Kevin Dougherty’s col...

A study of how Francis Marion delivered the leadership and strategy to defeat the British in the South Carolina Lowcountry campaigns."Dougherty and Smith have produced an excellent study of Marion as a commander for history enthusiasts, their work deserves to garner equal attention from those in the business community, business schools, public sector management, and the military."— Journal of the American Revolution

Nation-building efforts by the United States and the international community have led to both success and failure, overwhelming support and debilitating controversy. Some are motivated by national security interests; others by humanitarian concerns. They seem to have exploded since the end of the Cold War but in fact have long been used as a foreign policy tool.What they all have in common is a substantial investment of troops, treasure and time. There is no formula--each operation...