Revelatory new biography of the controversial commander and his role in determining the shape of post-war China. Provides an insight into the often fractious wartime relations between the US and the UK. Written by David Rooney, author of Burma Victory, Wingate and the Chindits and Military Mavericks This new and meticulously researched biography of the controversial American commander Joe Stilwell presents an admirably lucid account of his career and the complex story of the Burma campaign. Stilwell spent most of World War II as Chiang Kai-Shek's chief of staff in China. He was often at odds with the British generals Wavell, Slim and Wingate, men with whom he was to co-operate in Burma. These arguments earned him the nickname of 'Vinegar' Joe. Stilwell and George Marshall had planned to have ninety. Chinese divisions armed by the USA. Had they succeeded, in 1945 they would have been strong enough to defeat the Communists and would have changed the course of Chinese, if not world, history. With Marshall and Stilwell, the American people, with all their pro-China lobbies, would have been more enthusiastic for a Marshall Plan for China than they were for Europe.
Although Chiang had Stilwell dismissed, he recognised his contribution to the Burma Road campaign by renaming part of the Burma Road the Stilwell Road. This sympathetic but critical biography analyses the passions of an American patriot, infuriated by Chiang's dishonesty and chicanery, and looks at the possible outcome if Stilwell's views had prevailed.
- ISBN13 9781853676321
- Publish Date 15 July 2005
- Publish Status Transferred
- Out of Print 15 June 2009
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Greenhill Books
- Imprint Chatham Publishing
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 256
- Language English