by William H. Armstrong
Kent, Oh.: Kent State University Press, 2000. Pp. xvi, 191.
Illus., map, notes, biblio., index. $18.00 . ISBN:0-87338-657-4
Major McKinley is more than just an account of William McKinley’s Civil War, although it does a very good job of telling that story. It goes beyond the war years to talk about McKinley the veteran, and, most importantly, McKinley the Commander-in-Chief.
While McKinley’s war record was solid, it was hardly unusual. But his wartime experiences, and his knowledge of the war in general, served him in good stead during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection. A useful book for anyone interested in the Civil War, and a valuable one for anyone interested in the conduct of the war with Spain and that in the Philippines.