"In recent years a new military history has emerged in American scholar- ship. This new history, in contrast with the traditional 'drum and trumpet' version of America's martial past, concentrating on operations and commanders, emphasizes the development of the military as an institution and its interrelationship with the rest of American society. Some practitioners of the new military history have been influenced by social science concepts and methodology, especially sociological. Others have relied on more traditional means of historical research, analysis, and writing. Regardless of the approach taken, an appreciation of the impact of the military on American life throughout our history is implicit in all of this recent scholarship"--Pref.