U.S. Military Logistics, 1607-1991: A Research Guide

(Hardback)

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This research guide consists of an annotated bibliography of selected published items concentrating on military logistics in America from the colonial era to the present. This comprehensive reference is designed for libraries and scholars interested in American military history and for the use of academics and professionals at military service schools, staff colleges, and senior service colleges, with an interest in logistical doctrine and the logistical support of military operations. A narrative introduction includes a concise discussion of the major themes of American military logistics. A subsequent section notes the top 50 works in the field of military logistics history. Chapter 1 notes unpublished and published government documents dealing with military logistics, and manuscript collections of interest. The core bibliographical section consists of seven topical chapters (science of logistics, general, quartermaster, transportation, subsistence, ordnance, and procurement-mobilization) comprising 1996 entries representing the most significant books, dissertations, and articles in English on the topic of military logistics. The core chapters are organised chronologically with an introductory section comprising works covering more than one period.

Reviews

An excellent introductory essay defines logistics and traces some of the most important themes and trends in Army logistics from the English settlement of America to the present.-Journal of the Early Republic
Logistics is that important but often overlooked field of military science concerned with the supply, maintenance, and transportation of military units. This work is essentially limited to the US Army and does not include the logistical concerns of the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Shrader provides an introductory overview and chapters titled "The Top Fifty Works in the Field," "Research Opportunities in the History of U.S. Military Logistics," and "Government Documents, Manuscripts, Periodicals, and Unit Histories." The remainder of the guide consists of nearly 2,000 bibliographic citations arranged in seven topical chapters: "The Science of Logistics," "General Works," "Quartermaster," "Transportation," "Subsistence," "Ordnance," and "Mobilization & Procurement." Except for "The Science of Logistics," each of these is subdivided into a general section and five chronological sections (1607-1783, 1784-1865, 1866-1916, 1917-1945, 1946-1991). There are author and subject indexes, as well as three appendixes: "Key Logistical Personalities, 1775-1991." "Expenditures of the Army, 1775-1989," and "Strength of the Army, 1775-1989."-Choice
Shrader has produced a model bibliography on this important and overlooked aspect of warfare. This is a fine example of a subject bibliography and will be much appreciated in libraries that support research in this speciality.-ARBA
"Logistics is that important but often overlooked field of military science concerned with the supply, maintenance, and transportation of military units. This work is essentially limited to the US Army and does not include the logistical concerns of the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. Shrader provides an introductory overview and chapters titled "The Top Fifty Works in the Field," "Research Opportunities in the History of U.S. Military Logistics," and "Government Documents, Manuscripts, Periodicals, and Unit Histories." The remainder of the guide consists of nearly 2,000 bibliographic citations arranged in seven topical chapters: "The Science of Logistics," "General Works," "Quartermaster," "Transportation," "Subsistence," "Ordnance," and "Mobilization & Procurement." Except for "The Science of Logistics," each of these is subdivided into a general section and five chronological sections (1607-1783, 1784-1865, 1866-1916, 1917-1945, 1946-1991). There are author and subject indexes, as well as three appendixes: "Key Logistical Personalities, 1775-1991." "Expenditures of the Army, 1775-1989," and "Strength of the Army, 1775-1989.""-Choice
"An excellent introductory essay defines logistics and traces some of the most important themes and trends in Army logistics from the English settlement of America to the present."-Journal of the Early Republic
"Shrader has produced a model bibliography on this important and overlooked aspect of warfare. This is a fine example of a subject bibliography and will be much appreciated in libraries that support research in this speciality."-ARBA

Author Bio

CHARLES R. SHRADER retired from the U.S. Army in 1987 and lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is the author of Amicicide: THe Problem of Friendly Fire in Modern War and is the General Editor of the Reference Guide to United States Military History. He has published numerous articles on military logistics as well as medieval history and manuscript studies.