The Melting Point Audiobook By Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. USMC (Ret)., Gen. James Mattis - foreword cover art

The Melting Point

High Command and War in the 21st Century

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Melting Point

By: Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. USMC (Ret)., Gen. James Mattis - foreword
Narrated by: Charles Constant
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.99

Buy for $20.99

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

General Frank McKenzie oversaw some of the most important—and controversial operations in modern US military history. The Melting Point has three themes. The first one is the importance of the primacy of civilian control of the military. It has become widely perceived that this control has been eroded over the years. General McKenzie doesn't believe that to be the case, arguing that the civ-mil relationship isn't perfect, but it doesn't have to be. It is, however, more durable than many believe, and is supported and embraced by the military. The second theme is the uniqueness of being a combatant commander. Combatant commanders participate in the development of policy, as junior partners. They are also responsible for the execution of policy-very different than the role of a service chief, or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. None of these officers are in the chain of command, and they have no ultimate, mortal responsibility or authority for execution. Only the combatant commander stands astride the boundary of decision-making and execution. Finally, the third theme that McKenzie argues is that leaders matter, and the decisions they make have a profound effect on what happens on the battlefield. McKenzie provides an honest assessment of his time in command-describing decisions that were sound, as well as some outcomes he wishes were different.

©2024 Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. (P)2024 Tantor
Afghan & Iraq Wars Afghan War Iran Iraq Military War
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The Melting Point

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Insightful

Great listen and a unique perspective of events in the Middle East and the US military role in it. Only disappointment is not hearing the Alabama accent while listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!