As the author explains it its Foreword, the book is “a brief review of the now rather extensive military history of the United States in relation to its political, economic and social implications.”

“This is a book for the years... a distinguished job of writing... [Millis is] a penetrative analyst... vigorous expression and the steady flow of challenging ideas keep the book from ever becoming dull... The book... is a total study of the evolution of American military power... The author knows weapons, politics and human nature. His perceptive grasp of these complexes shines in the writing.” — The New York Times

“[A]fter the passage of a generation, Arms and Men remains the most satisfactory one-volume survey of the military history of the United States, showing an unrivalled depth of insight into the interrelationships between American military history and the whole history of the United States, with a constant regard for the still larger context of American military history in world history.” — Reviews in American History

“[A] remarkable example of synthesis and readability... excellent.” — Political Science Quarterly

“Mr. Walter Millis... has written the most penetrating and stimulating of the studies on American military affairs. This is not a detailed study of battles and tactics; it is instead an examination of the interaction of a changing society and technology on military institutions... Mr. Millis has a superb sense of history... a graceful style and a lively, civilized wit... This is a volume which should be read by all who are concerned with the most pressing problem of our day.” — New York History

“Arms and Men, in my view, is the best single study dealing with American military history as a whole which has been written in the last half century, and virtually nothing of the sort was written earlier.” — Military Affairs

“Although Mr. Millis, who has devoted many years to the subject, calls this only a ‘commentary’ on the history of American military policy, it is a most useful and well-written survey.” — Foreign Affairs

“[A] good book, readable and admirable for its factual accuracy and general thoughtfulness.” —The American Historical Review

“[Millis’] well-phrased analysis of American military history is a tremendous contribution to the thoughtful citizen.” — Current History

“[N]o more searching or more stimulating study of the subject has been published for a decade.” —International Affairs

“This is... a review of the military history of the United States in relation to the economic, political, and social phases of our history... This book is well written, excellently organized with logical arguments. It should be widely read and generously consulted.” —The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

“The changes made by the forces of democracy and by public opinion in the conduct of wars is traced... in... Arms and Men. It is a brilliant exposition of the factors that brought such evolution in warfare... Walter Millis has written many profound works but this readable book is his best.” —World Affairs

“It is a brilliant survey of American military history... acutely conceived and beautifully written... one of those rare creative works of interpretation and synthesis.” — Saturday Review

“[Millis’] twin gifts of perception and expression are again apparent in Arms and Men, a mature commentary on America’s record of preparation (or non-preparation) and performance in its wars.” — New York Herald Tribune