Only the Most Able

Stephen M. Duncan draws on a lifetime of military, public service, executive, and legal experience to argue with unusual insight and candor why the quality and performance of senior political appointees who are charged even in part with the nation's security must be improved, and offers specific recommendations on how this can be accomplished. This timely book will appeal to Americans of all political persuasions, as well as those with particular interests in political and military history.

Stephen M. Duncan

Introduction Chapter 1: The Power to Appoint Civilian Leaders Chapter 2: The Professionalism of Military Leaders Prior to 1972 Chapter 3: Personnel is Policy Chapter 4: Politics and Unqualified Civilian Leaders Chapter 5: The Professionalism of Military Leaders from 1972 to 9/11/2001 Chapter 6: Civilian Leaders Who Can Get Things Done Chapter 7: Professionalism in the Era of Wars of a Different Kind Chapter 8: Trust and Clashes of Culture and Competence Chapter 9: Politics in the Middle of War Chapter 10: The "Professionalization" of Amateur Appointees Conclusion Notes