Matthew Moten authored the book "Presidents and Their Generals" which looks closely at political-military relations and the relationships between military leaders and civilian oversight. The book received positive reviews for drawing novel links across major US conflicts and making well-researched arguments about how presidents have asserted power over generals. Moten examines the complexities of securing national security while maintaining civilian control of the military.

1. MATTHEW MOTEN EXPLORES COMPLEXITIES IN
POLITICAL-MILITARY RELATIONS
Matthew Moten

2. INTRODUCTION
 Texas Hill Country rancher Matthew Moten is well known
as a military historian and most recently authored
Presidents and Their Generals. In his well-received book,
Matthew Moten looks closely at political-military relations
and the relationships between military leaders and those
outside the military who provide oversight.
Published in November of 2014 by Harvard University
Press, the book has received positive reviews in
publications ranging from The Daily Beast to the The
Weekly Standard. In a Journal of Military History review,
the “episodic history” was described as succeeding in
drawing links around a novel theme across all major U.S.
conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq war.

3. POLITICAL-MILITARY RELATIONS
 Mr. Moten was commended for making bold and
original statements that he backed up through
persuasive, well-researched arguments.
According to Kirkus Reviews, Moten was
described as being particularly effective in
showing the ways presidents have found to
assert power over generals who often did not
agree. He examines the risks and challenges
posed by securing the national security while
maintaining civilian control of the military.