How America goes to war / Frank E. Vandiver.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [145]-150) and index.

Foreword / Jon Wakelyn -- 1. The whiskey rebellion -- 2. Mr. Madison's war -- 3. The war with Mexico -- 4. The Civil War -- 5. The Spanish-American War -- 6. The great war -- 7. The Second World War -- 8. Korea -- 9. Vietnam -- 10. The Cold War -- 11. New war, old cost -- 12. The fifth horseman.

"Wars have played an integral role in America's transformation from a continental power into a world force. Over time, America's war-making has favored and continues to favor the expansion of the President's role at the expense of the Congress. America's future will be determined in large part by the way in which the nation chooses and engages in military pursuits. Questions about how and when we go to war have never been so vital or relevant. This thought-provoking overview serves as a quick introduction to these important issues."--BOOK JACKET.