Robert S. Jordan

Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster was one of the leading soldier-scholars of his time. He stood as a key figure among the dominant American military and political personalities during the Cold War. Goodpaster served Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in establishing the international military component of NATO and then served as Staff Secretary and Defense Liaison Officer in the Eisenhower White House. He achieved the highest international military command assignment possible when, after serving in Vietnam as Deputy Commander, he was appointed NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. He was called out of retirement to restore the integrity of West Point after a major ethical crisis. Upon his final retirement and for over a quarter-century thereafter, he was actively involved in both the formal and informal world of Washington policy-making, making his mark repeatedly as a respected participant.

"Lauris Norstad was NATO's most influential general during the 'High Cold War' of the late 195Os and early 196Os. After a brilliant career as a planner and commander in World War II, he succeeded equally brilliantly in the inter-Service politics of postwar Washington. Rising rapidly to high rank at a very young age, the youthful Norstad was one of Eisenhower's 'rising stars' by the time Ike picked him to help create a NATO and American 'sword and shield' to defend Western Europe. He became the dominant personality in NATO while Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), during the protracted and dangerous Berlin crises.". "As the chief military spokesman for NATO to his own government, Norstad rallied behind the European Allies in their reluctance to embrace the Kennedy Administration's doctrine of 'flexible response' as the best way to avoid, or at least delay, a nuclear Armageddon. While not categorically opposed to nuclear gradualism, Norstad feared that his new doctrine would awaken the Alliance's political cohesiveness and resolve. As he approached retirement, he relearned that the SACEUR must first of all retain the confidence of his own government even while 'speaking for Europe' in Washington."--BOOK JACKET.