In the perfect match of subject and author, John S. D. Eisenhower, a noted military historian, presents the definitive account of the birth of the modern Amer- ican army and its decisive role in World War I. With the help of his wife Joanne, Eisenhower captures the viewpoints of the actual participants, blending a narrative told from the perspective of top officers with the stories of average soldiers. Drawing on diaries and memoirs, he brings each engagement to life, from the initial planning to the actual battlefield experiences of soldiers whose exploits at Belleau Woods and along the Meuse-Argonne would become the stuff of legend.Along the way, he shows how General Pershing and other leaders -- including George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, Billy Mitchell, and Peyton March -- transformed the American Expeditionary Force from a small, underequipped force into a strong, efficient, and effective army. Fast-paced, lively, and engaging, Yanks illuminates the central role of the American army in turning the tide in the biggest war the world had ever known.

CONTENTSList of MapsAuthor's NoteBOOK ONECREATING THE AEFPrologueONE A Visit from Papa JoffreTWO A Nation at WarTHREE The Selection of General PershingFOUR The Yanks ArriveFIVE Organizing the AEFSIX The Supreme War CouncilBOOK TWOAPPRENTICESHIP: THE OPENING BATTLESSEVEN Baptism of FireEIGHT The Calm Before the StormNINE Unified Command at Last!TEN "I Will Not Be Coerced"ELEVEN The Big Red One at CantignyTWELVE The 2d Division at Belleau WoodTHIRTEEN The Rock of the MarneFOURTEEN Soissons -- The Turning PointBOOK THREETHE AEF FIGHTS INDEPENDENTLY:ST. MIHIEL AND THE MEUSE-ARGONNEFIFTEEN St. Mihiel -- Dress RehearsalSIXTEEN The Race Against TimeSEVENTEEN Montfaucon -- Ominous VictoryEIGHTEEN ArgonneNINETEEN Feelers for PeaceTWENTY First Army Comes of AgeTWENTY-ONE The WindupTWENTY-TWO The Railroad Car at CompiègneTWENTY-THREE The End of the AEFEpilogueAPPENDIX MobilizationNotesBibliographyAcknowledgmentsIndex