Strategic Philosophy Research Articles

Beyond Anthropocentrism: The Moral and Strategic Philosophy behind Russell and Burch’s 3Rs in Animal Experimentation

The 3Rs framework in animal experimentation– “replace, reduce, refine” – has been alleged to be expressive of anthropocentrism, the view that only humans are directly morally relevant. After all, the 3Rs safeguard animal welfare only as far as given human research objectives permit, effectively prioritizing human use interests over animal interests. This article acknowledges this prioritization, but argues that the characterization as anthropocentric is inaccurate. In fact, the 3Rs prioritize research purposes even more strongly than an ethical anthropocentrist would. Drawing on the writings of Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) founder Charles W. Hume, who employed Russell and Burch, it is argued that the 3Rs originally arose from an animal-centered ethic which was however restricted by an organizational strategy aiming at the voluntary cooperation of animal researchers. Research purposes thus had to be accepted as given. While this explains why the 3Rs focus narrowly on humane method selection, not on encouraging animal-free question selection in the first place, it suggests that governments should (also) focus on the latter if they recognize animals as deserving protection for their own sake.

Review of Integrated Management Systems to Re-Engineer Existing Nonconformances Troubleshooting System

Total quality management (TQM) is a strategic philosophy that has adopted kaizen activities which drives the business to carry out activities effectively to yield the best desired output, hence, a profitable organization. The kaizen philosophy acts as a catalyst in productivity rate and integrated management systems (IMS) which results in drastic improvements. When the nonconformity arises within the process, the accuracy of the problem solving determines quality of preventive action, therefore the preventive action should be accompanied by the opportunity of improvement from the raised nonconformance. This research seeks to add more knowledge and upgrade technology of problem-solving models relating to the integrated management systems by examining various troubleshooting models for problem solving and preventive action related to quality nonconformances, safety incidents and engineering breakdowns. Hence, the aim of this research is for troubleshooting model technique enhancement for issues related to process engineering, quality management systems and occupational health and safety by creating a model which analyses kaizen projects from the corrective and preventive action analysis of nonconformances. The proposed troubleshooting model was developed using lean techniques and risk rating tools; it was then applied to the case study company for simulation and the outcomes resulted in the closure of nonconformances and continual improvement of future projects. The proposed model is more advantageous to the manufacturing industries seeking to improve their Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA) systems.

Entrepreneurial Strategic Philosophy: A Cross-decade Conceptual Model Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Strategic Philosophy

The development of literature on entrepreneurship has continued for several decades. Starting from the mainstream of innovation, strategic changes, until intersecting with strategic management. Several studies have discussed the relationship between entrepreneurship and strategic management so that companies can improve their entrepreneurial orientation. But, there is still no research that specifically discusses how entrepreneurship combines with the philosophy of strategic management to create a better entrepreneurial strategic orientation. The research here aims to create a specific conceptual relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and the philosophies of strategic management. The qualitative method through literature study was carried out on this research with purposive and snowball sampling techniques to build several propositions to become a model of entrepreneurial strategic philosophy. As a result of the conceptual review here, it is known that there is a conceptual relationship between the entrepreneurial orientation and the philosophy of the strategic management. The formation of art, bottom-up, and flexibility approach will be the most compatible strategic philosophy if the organization aims to increase entrepreneurial orientation rather than bureaucracy orientation. Otherwise, the combination of science, top-down, and consistency approach will be the most compatible strategic philosophy if the organization aims to emphasize bureaucracy orientation rather than entrepreneurial orientation.

Re-Reading Literature from Pandemic Angle: A Study of Select Poems of Pradip Kumar Patra

There has been a lot of reading of literature before Pandemic from various angles. But the Pandemic comes as a turning point affecting life at each and every level. The paper will use Pandemic as a method, not as a field. It will look at Pradip Kumar Patra’s poems and show how it reflects aging, disease and death. The study will be a kind of re-reading because the purpose will be to show the physical decadence of humanity in relation to mental change. It will take into consideration the poet’s seven volumes of poems namely Panoramic Shillong, Summer Implications, The Winding Path, Denouement, Dewy Morning, Midnight Divinity, The Rain Speaks. At the background, the paper will also discuss the similar issues in relation to a few contemporary Indian poets writing in English. It will also use trauma as a method for successfully exploring the issues relating to Pandemic. The paper attempts to examine Patra’s select poems that elucidate the phenomenon of aging, disease and death. Moreover, it tries to encapsulate a kind of link between aging and disease with trauma and pain. The main objective of this paper lies in its delineation of death as a form of physical and mental struggle. The theorising link between aging and death and disease and trauma mark the basis of Patra’s poetic philosophy. This paper analyses the select poems of Patra from the perspective of trauma and pain. It examines the way Patra’s select poems envisage his realisation and awareness about aging, disease and death. The qualitative approach makes the study more focussed and substantial. Patra posits a new proportion towards understanding the value of living and experiencing the pain of death. The sustainability of this relationship finds an important room in the select poems of Patra. The paper directs on the poet’s functional self in emphasising the underlying association between life and death and living and dying. The study re-reads patra’s select poems as from Pandemic angle. It gives special insistence on the traumatised self and strategic philosophy.

How leaders exercise emergent strategy? Lessons from Moshe Dayan

ABSTRACT This paper to uncovers how leaders practice emergent strategy as a core strategic philosophy. The article uses the case of general and statesman Moshe Dayan as a principal case study to uncover leadership and management practices of emergent strategy. Following a discussion on the emergent versus deliberate strategy schools, I show why Moshe Dayan as a leader can be considered as an archetype of the emergent approach worth studying. I then present six leadership principles that enabled him to practice the emergent approach. The article concludes with discussion of the limitations and value of the emergent approach for leaders today.

IMPACT OF IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY ON ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF STAR HOTELS IN SRI LANKA

Today, the organizational environment is changing rapidly and the competitive environment is very volatile, as a result, business firms face new challenges, especially, the competition increased with the changes environment in which they operate. One of the strategic philosophies assisting firms at this juncture to develop strategic capabilities dealing with uncertainty is knowledge management infrastructure capabilities. Through enhanced technological infrastructure and systematic implementation of knowledge management process organizations able to develop strategies that enable them to be proactive and adaptable to external changes and achieve better organizational performances. The main aim of this study is to analyse the impact of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and Knowledge Management process capability on Organizational Performance of star rated Hotels in Sri Lanka. Empirical examination of the hypothesized relationships among variables is conducted by means of questionnaire surveys in Sri Lanka. The 233 responses received from respondents serving as managers in star hotels and the data analysed using AMOS version 23.0. According to the results of SEM analyses, the proposed measurement model satisfied the necessary fit conditions. The empirical evidence confirms that the technological infrastructure capability is correlated and it is an enabler of knowledge management process capability on organizational performance of star rated hotels in Sri Lanka. In addition to theoretical contributions, the study also attempts to provide a variety of practical recommendations for hotel managers, to be successful in utilizing IT resources on knowledge management to the attainment of better organizational performances.

Strategic Philosophy and Competitive Advantage: Conceptual Understanding and Application in Public Sector Organisations

All organizations deal with strategy, but organizations operate under different conditions, affecting their understanding of how to do strategy. The study aims at providing an argument on how managers in public sector institutions apply the practice of strategic philosophy in their quest for effective practice of strategic management. Strategy is vital for a competitiveness, effective and efficient public service delivery and for successful leadership. Strategic philosophy refers to a set of beliefs, personal views or rules concerning the nature of organizational strategy. Managers apply these beliefs, values and rules to help make strategic decisions that provide direction, cohesion, mission and motivation to pursue organization’s strategic goals. The bureaucratic nature of public sector causes it to function according to unique set of principles, norms and rules. These rules and principles are influenced by the political nature of the institutions with little autonomy and /or discretion to decide on priorities, set own goals and deal with challenges and problems in order to exploit any emerging opportunities. This article used systematic literature review to identify studies that discussed the concepts of strategic philosophy and competitive advantage. Two focus groups discussions were also held with managers from public sector and civil society organizations. Since previous studies have been treating these concepts separately, articles dealing with each aspect of the study were reviewed and analysed to establish if any relationship exists between the two concepts. The study found out that the position occupied by a manager in the organization, skills and experience determine how he/she conceptualises the whole process of strategic planning. Senior managers believe that their role involves crafting the mission, vision, values, strategic goals and providing direction of the enterprise. They also determine the strategies that are likely to create superior performance.

The European Model of Development Faced with the Quaternary Sector Emergence Test

The European Union must identify and internalize the most acute challenges, prepare appropriate solutions to them, capitalize on its strengths, and avoid threats. The strategic philosophy can no longer be just rhetorical but must be found at the level of all European sectoral policies, national macroeconomic policies but also of the programs and projects launched by the actors operating in the business environment. The research is phenomenological in nature, with an emphasis on qualitative issues related to the most relevant paradigm changes at the level of European sectoral policies, national macroeconomic policies, as well as programs and projects launched by actors operating in the business environment. The topic that plays an important role in this research is the one related to the most appropriate structure of a modern economy, the emphasis being placed on the correlations and the causalities between them. The hypotheses from which it was started, the epistemological perspectives taken as the basis, the analytical drivers used, the research methodologies that were called upon but also the variables used took into account the change of the techno-industrial paradigm, the factors that influence the efficiency and sustainability of the new economic development models, the threats but also the opportunities that must be identified and encountered by those who decide at the macro, mezzo and microeconomic levels. The most important transformations that take place at the level of the macroeconomic and business development models were analyzed, updating them and offering some recommendations on how some systemic vulnerabilities can be treated. The paper ends by surprising the way in which Romania is positioned at the level of the switching process from an economy in which the primary and secondary sectors are prevalent to one in which the weight of the tertiary and quaternary sectors increases.

Integrating wearable technology products and big data analytics in business strategy

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of the adoption of wearable technology products for Indian health insurance firms. It identifies the key dynamic capabilities that health insurance firms should build to manage big data generated by wearable technology so as to attain a competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative exploratory study using in-depth personal interviews with 53 Indian health insurance experts was conducted with a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were coded using holistic and pattern codes and then analyzed using the content analysis technique. The findings were based on the thematic and relational intensity analysis of the codes.FindingsAn empirical model was established where all the propositions were strongly established except for the moderate relationship between wearable technology adoption and product innovation. The study established the nature of the interaction of variables on technology policy, organizational culture, strategic philosophy, product innovation, knowledge management and customer service quality with wearable technology adoption and also ascertained its influence on firm performance and competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsFrom a dynamic capabilities perspective, this study deliberates on wearable technology adoption in the health insurance context. It also explicates the relationship between the variables on technology policy, organizational culture, strategic philosophy, product innovation, knowledge management and customer service quality with wearable technology adoption on firm performance.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first studies to add the context of wearable technology and health insurance to the existing body of knowledge on dynamic capabilities and sustainable competitive advantage for the service sector. It would help existing and prospective players in adopting or setting up appropriate business models.

Operational Readiness: Redesigning Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Curriculum for an Evolving Battlefield.

The Global War on Terror and the ensuing Overseas Contingency Operations has rapidly transformed the U.S. military's strategic philosophy for warfare. The paradigm shift to unconventional warfare has forced military medicine to adapt with the rapidly evolving battle space. To this end, large fixed facility hospitals are being replaced with highly mobile and austere medical platforms that serve farther forward. The transition in operational health care has challenged the role of all health care team members.Through the evolution of the modern battlefield, nursing roles have grown and expanded beyond the traditional roles and peacetime practice. Nurses are seeing greater autonomy and scope of practice in operational settings while caring for patient pathologies that are often different than at home. The expansion of practice extends beyond the registered nurse at the bedside to the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) that serves in the provider role. Through anecdotal reports, and a growing body of literature, that APRN operational practice is different than in the traditional health care setting. Although a variety of organizations have codified knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) relevant to operational practice, no formal APRN operational curriculum currently exists. Using an adaptation of Kern's Six-Step Model of curriculum design, we describe a curriculum development process used to improve and focus educational experiences to better prepare APRNs for evolving operational roles. Through deliberate approaches the GSN has reimagined its operational readiness curriculum for the preparation of the military APRN on the evolving battlefield. The GSN has operationalized APRN operational readiness through the integration of operationally relevant curriculum designed around interprofessional education experiences. Through this curricular design, GSN APRN students are provided with operationally relevant experiences in the context of authentic military scenarios. Through these encounters, we believe, allows our students to successfully develop the clinical, operational and teamwork skills to successfully perform care in austere and operational settings. This manuscript describes a novel approach to provide operational readiness education to military APRN students. Through an evaluation of the current literature, expert reports and information of the current operational requirements, the USU GSN has developed a model and curricula for APRN operational readiness that lie beyond the traditional skills in the peacetime setting. Through this plan of instruction, USU GSN APRN students will have the requisite skills to meet the evolving operational needs of the Department of Defense.

Managing academic institutions by enhancing student experience

Student experience or, in a more sensible terminology, 'customer satisfaction' is a current issue in higher education leadership. This paper discusses how academic leaders can deal with and develop positive experiences among students as providers of a key source of revenue. The paper proposes some strategic recommendations to guide the management process of enhancing student experience and satisfaction. Adopting an effective strategic planning philosophy and implementing competitive strategies to enhance student experience could increase the competitiveness of academic institutions and have the potential to sustain an important source of revenue. But different academic institutions may require different strategies, since each academic institution has its own circumstances and conditions. Therefore, this paper attempts to answer the question of how to manage the challenge of improving student experience and satisfaction.

Strategic policing philosophy and the acquisition of technology: findings from a nationally representative survey of law enforcement

ABSTRACTPolice departments that emphasise certain strategic models (e.g. community-oriented policing, problem-oriented policing) may adopt specific types of technology to better achieve their core missions. A contrasting theory is that police agencies do not invest strategically in technology; rather, they adopt technology in a ‘black box’ without a larger plan for how a particular technology fits within the agency’s guiding philosophy or operational goals. Despite the importance of this discourse, very little research has been conducted to address these claims. Using survey data from a large and nationally representative sample of police agencies in the United States (N = 749), we examine whether strategic police goals are associated with technology use for six core technologies (crime mapping, social media, data mining software, car cameras, license plate readers (LPRs), and body-worn cameras (BWCs)). Nationally, across the sample of all US law enforcement agencies, we find little relationship between strategic goals and technology. Agency size, rather than policing philosophy was a more important determinant of technology use. However, stronger relationships between strategy and technology emerged when the analysis was limited to a subsample of larger agencies (250 or more sworn officers). Specifically, community and hot spot policing strategies were positively associated with the use of geographic information system technology, social media, and LPRs. Agencies who emphasised hot spot policing were also more likely to have used BWCs. Implications of these findings are discussed.

A Proposal for Production Data Collection on a Hybrid Production Line in Cooperation with MES

Abstract Due to the increasing competitive environment in the manufacturing sector, many industries have the need for a computer integrated engineering management system. The Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is a computer system designed for product manufacturing with high quality, low cost and minimum lead time. MES is a type of middleware providing the required information for the optimization of production from launching of a product order to its completion. There are many studies dealing with the advantages of the use of MES, but little research was conducted on how to implement MES effectively. A solution to this issue are KPIs. KPIs are important to many strategic philosophies or practices for improving the production process. This paper describes a proposal for analyzing manufacturing system parameters with the use of KPIs.

Ecological self-understanding in early Chinese philosophies

Confucianism, Daoism, and the Art of War present pragmatic and strategic philosophies. These philosophies are predicated upon a synthetic concept of person in-the-world. More specifically, these philosophies present prescriptions and methodologies for how one ought to conduct oneself as a person-in-the-world. To be a person-in-the-world is to be an ecological self. Accordingly, the philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism, and the Art of War contain and express an ecological self understanding. The intention of this essay is to disclose this ecological self understanding in the context of classical Confucianism, Daoism, and the Art of War.

Assessing Strategic Philosophy in Iraq

Identifying Executive Strategic PerspectivesChoices between alternatives are the cornerstone of strategy formulation (Porter, 1985). The systematic collection of information concerning the organization's environment is an inaccurate science replete with contradictions and ambiguity that ultimately affect decisions. Executives usually respond to this problem by making subjective decisions based on limited objective evidence. It is not new to recognize the role of individuals in the strategy process. The personality, values, personal advantage, and attitudes of managers at middle and upper levels have been connected to strategy formulation in many studies (Guth & MacMillan, 1986; Parnell, Koseoglu, & Lester, 2010; Walsh & Fahey, 1986).Strategy formulation is connected to the top executive's perspectives of how the organization should function (Hambrick & Fredrickson, 2001). The concept of entails the existence of competing ideals and numerous perspectives on an issue (Barney 2001; Priem & Butler, 2001; Salaheldin, 2005).Recognizing the role of individual psychological differences in the strategy process does not overrule the value of a rational, objective perspective. Agreement between the two points of view can be seen at two levels. First, while a logical seeks to identify the best objective decision, an executive perspective recognizes that some degree of subjectivity, sound judgment, and experience may also be involved in the process. Both perspectives, however, are concerned with decision-making that maximizes the performance of the organization over a given period of time.Second, while there may be many valid perspectives on a given strategic issue, a contingency approach may be suitable. Within this context, there may be a rational or contingency of strategy, by which one executive's could be superior in certain circumstances. For this reason, the acknowledgment of such a domain of strategy should not be misunderstood as a value-neutral perspective.A number of dimensions of strategic executives may be identified, but this paper concentrates on three: (1) Strategic philosophy as an art or science, (2) strategic importance of consistency or flexibility, and (3) strategy as a top-down or a bottom-up approach.Strategic philosophy as an Art or a ScienceConventionally, the strategy literature has confirmed a science or planning approach to strategic decision-making. Executives are strongly recommended to objectively, methodically, and regularly assess the firm's strengths and weaknesses and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a large number of alternatives before formulating a strategy. Executives should be trained to become highly skilled critical thinkers who can understand and assimilate objective data and convert it into positive strategic action (Rajagopal, 2011).Top managers should be trained, highly educated, and capable of formulating strategies that are largely scientific. This training and education will help managers use appropriate tools, assess risk management, process data, and benefit from behavioral modeling to create an appropriate strategy, with the goal of maximizing success as measured by increases in revenues, productivity, and profits. Advocates of the scientific approach argue that the business environment is largely objective, analyzable, and predictable.Conversely, it is difficult to consider and control all the variables associated with a business firm, especially those in the external environment. So, strategies should invoke substantial creativity and intuition as part of an inclusive strategy formation process (Ford & Gioia, 2000).Mintzberg's (1987) notion of artistic and scientific perspectives on strategy is helpful in this regard. Strategic artists understand and interpret the organization state, and they attempt to craftstrategy in the same way that an artist molds clay. …

Transcending innovativeness towards strategic reflexivity

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to utilize and expand on existing knowledge on organizational value‐based innovativeness, towards the development of the “strategic reflexivity” concept, for businesses competing in the contemporary ever‐modulating business environments.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based partly on primary qualitative research and partly on theoretical research. The former consists of a six month long in‐house observation and data gathering of a large company (OPERACOM Group) innovation process and on 45 semi‐directive interviews of practitioners and experts.FindingsThe findings descriptively portray the varying competitive conditions as intolerant of conventional strategic marketing planning; and unable to sustain any lasting competitive advantage. Prescriptively, the research proposes a change of strategic philosophy and practice, through a shift from orthodox planning to the design of value‐based reflexive mechanisms that automatically adapt to change. The paper finally presents a preliminary model for the proposed strategic reflexivity process.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper, though scientific, it is in parallel a conceptual one. The “strategic reflexivity” concept and its consequent model therefore, are presented, not as a definitive answer to the concerns of contemporary businesses; but rather as a scientifically‐based proposition towards further practical and scholarly development.Originality/valueThe research value rests on a tripod of original contributions: it adds to the voices calling executives to give up on conventional tactical strategic means, counter‐proposing strategic redevelopment that is explicitly value‐based; it identifies the value‐based innovational elements deemed critical in the strategic redevelopment of businesses in hypercompetitive environments; and it develops the “strategic reflexivity” concept and process within the above context towards theoretical development and practical implementation.

Cultural Influences on Strategic Behavior of Hotel Executives: Masculinity and Femininity

As more hotel companies progressively internationalize their operations, the composition of their top management teams becomes more diversified. This necessitates the understanding of whether variations in strategic behavior and philosophy among these executives exist, which can be partially explained by differences in their national cultures. This article investigated the potential influence of masculinity on strategic behaviors by comparing hotel executives from three countries, the U.S., Thailand and Turkey. The findings indicated that executives associated with masculine cultures tended to use less involvement of others and less rationality in strategy development than their counterparts from feminine cultures. No differences were found regarding emphasis on content of strategic goals and openness to strategic change. Managerial implications and directions for future research are presented.

Strategic philosophy in Turkey: balancing the art-science, consistency-flexibility, and top-down-bottom-up perspectives

Top executives are faced with a number of concerns when formulating strategies for their organisations. Three strategic dimensions – strategy formulation as an art or science, strategic emphasis on consistency or flexibility, and strategy as a top-down or a bottom-up approach – appear to require difficult choices or compromises between polar extremes. Measurement scales have been developed and tested among US managers, but little work has been done in emerging economies. This paper reports on the measures of these dimensions in Turkey. As predicted, a scientific perspective on strategy was preferred to an artistic perspective and strategic consistency was preferred to flexibility. Surprisingly, however, Turkish respondents expressed a preference for a bottom-up strategy formulation process. Implications for managers and future research are discussed.

Strategic philosophy among future managers and engineers in Turkey

This study tests for differences in strategic philosophy among graduating business and engineering students in Turkey. Students were assessed along the dimensions of strategic philosophy – strategy as an art or a science, strategic emphasis on flexibility or consistency, and a top-down or a bottom-up approach to strategy – via survey. Results suggested that field of study did not significantly influence strategic philosophy proclivities among future managers and engineers. Hence, other factors are suggested as more influential. Implications and future research are discussed.

A Soldier to the Last: Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler in Blue and Gray (review)

Reviewed by: A Soldier to the Last: Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler in Blue and Gray Derek W. Frisby A Soldier to the Last: Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler in Blue and Gray. By Edward G. Longacre. Washington: Potomac Books, 2007. ISBN 157-488-591-X. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Pp. xvi, 288. $29.95 (cloth). Joseph Wheeler seemingly possessed none of the desired qualities necessary to become a professional soldier. His impoverished background, wiry frame, genteel personality, and subpar achievement in martial, athletic, and academic subjects at West Point seemingly doomed any chance for a successful military career. Wheeler’s dutiful service, insatiable ambition, good fortune, and remarkable self-promotional skills, however, propelled him into the military pantheons of both the short-lived Confederacy and the reconstructed United States. Yet, few have undertaken a serious study of Wheeler’s remarkable career and legacy, perhaps because he served in the western theater or was not as “southern” or as “colorful” as Nathan B. Forrest and John Hunt Morgan. Edward Longacre, a U.S. Air Force historian and honorary director of the U.S. Cavalry Association, has remedied this oversight with the first Wheeler biography in over sixty-five years, attempting to fill out the marginal aspects of Wheeler’s Civil War operations and to explore the public memory of this astonishing figure. Longacre describes well how his unsoldierly appearance and dismal West Point record belied Wheeler’s brilliance and how his even-keeled, gentlemanly temperament hid a fiery spirit and addiction to battle. Many of his contemporaries admired his charm, perseverance, and attitude despite his less than stellar early career. Wheeler’s fortunes received a boost when his valiant efforts saved a family from an 1860 Apache attack (he even assisted in the birth of a child during the fray) and cemented his “Fightin’ Joe” nickname. He suddenly appeared the stereotypical American hero, but when the Civil War erupted, Wheeler had few qualms about serving his native Georgia and the Confederacy. The young Wheeler quickly earned his laurels and became one of Braxton Bragg’s most trusted officers. He became the Army of Tennessee’s Chief of Cavalry at twenty-five, earning him another unlikely moniker, “War Child.” However, he was a professional, [End Page 957] regular army officer in an army rife with unprofessional attitudes and in a theater that demanded an irregular approach. Longacre’s drums-and-trumpets narrative portrays Wheeler as a tactically sound, above-average field commander whose “hard work and quiet competence” was indicative of the conventional cavalry service rendered during the war that was “indispensable to his army” (p. 50). The author also details how the newly-promoted Wheeler’s barely adequate administrative abilities, raw skills as a staff officer, unabashed ambition, and undynamic strategic vision undermined his Civil War legacy. While not absolving Wheeler of the Army of Tennessee’s problems, Longacre definitely mitigates disputes or controversies in Wheeler’s favor. Feuds with other roughhewn types such as Forrest, his failures at Stones River and during the Tullahoma-Chickamauga-Chattanooga campaigns, and his inaccurate reports that led to several ill-advised operations beg for a more consistent, unbiased perspective. The last chapters on Wheeler’s equally extraordinary postwar activities are frustratingly brief and lack substantive analysis. Wheeler served nearly a decade in Congress, and at the age of sixty three, he became the only ex-Confederate to serve in a field command during the Spanish-American War. During this later period of his life, he wrote several works on military strategy and history, and authored numerous, often self-serving pieces for the Southern Historical Society Papers and other periodicals. His battles with the “Lost Cause” and his own failings might prove as or more compelling than those with the Yankees, Cubans, or Filipinos, but are given only a cursory treatment by Longacre. A Soldier to the Last is sure to reinvigorate studies of the Army of Tennessee’s frequently dysfunctional command and its strategic philosophies. It should also serve as a new platform to investigate Civil War historiography on the western theater, public memory, and reconciliation. Derek W. Frisby Middle Tennessee State University Murfreeesboro, Tennessee Copyright © 2008 The Society for Military History