Generals Quote by Stephen E. Ambrose
““Of the tens of thousands of men who died in combat in the war, possibly as many as half lost their lives in vain. Lee’s charges at Malvern Hill and Gettysburg, Burnside’s at Fredericksburg, Grant’s at Vicksburg, and many others left the dead strewn everywhere for no discernible military gain. The Sioux would never have followed men who led such bloody, futile assaults, but the Americans made heroes out of these generals—and the higher a general’s losses, it seemed, the greater the hero he became.””
About This Quote
Source History Book: Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose, 1992
The quote critiques how societies glorify military leaders despite massive, often pointless loss of life, questioning the true value of heroic narratives.
In simple terms: War heroes are celebrated even when battles waste lives.
Key Takeaway
Question the glorification of costly wars.
Themes
war
heroism
futility
historical memory
leadership
Mood
critical
somber
thoughtful
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- military analysis
- ethical debate
- historical education
Key Concepts
military sacrifice
heroic myth
cost of war
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we elevate certain generals?
- What alternative narratives could honor the fallen?
A Different Perspective
The focus on heroism may ignore individual soldiers' experiences and the complexities of war.
![“One of the things I would immediately do [as Commander in Chief ], in addition to defeating them here at home, is bring back the warrior class - Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, Flynn. Every single one of these generals I know. Every one was retired early because they told President [Barack]…” quote by Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/397/carly-fiorina-1077_barack_one-of-the-things-i-would-immediately-do_299161.jpg)
