The Illusion Of Victory, America in World War I, was published by Basic Books on June 1, 2003. In the New York Sun, Christopher Willcox called it "a cautionary tale of the destructive potential of blind ambition and self righteous pride." In the Flint, Michigan, Journal, David Forsmark said no other historian approaches Fleming's ability to "douse historical illusions with the cold water of reality." Richard Reeves, noted biographer of Presidents Kennedy and Nixon, called it "an astonishing book." Columnist Robert Novak said the book "brilliantly portrays a process that casts a long shadow over the nation's history and evokes haunting comparisons with America in the 21st Century."
Later in 2003, Mr. Fleming published The Louisiana Purchase, which is part of John Wiley's series on turning points in American History. In the Sunday Times of London, the reviewer wrote: "There should be more books like this: concise, tightly argued, clearly written, and with just enough anecdotal information to sugar the pill of complex diplomatic maneuverings. Fleming is a prolific popular historian and this intriguing read is highly recommended."
The New Dealers' War: F.D.R. the War Within World War II, Fleming's previous nonfiction book, was a vivid account of thepolitics of the global conflict, both at home and abroad. The Washington Post called it "a gripping, controversial, informative and at times infuriating look at FDR's leadership." Henry Graff of Columbia University said it would force historians "to rethink this pivotal chapter in America's history."
Duel, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and the Future ofAmerica, Thomas Fleming's previous nonfiction book,published in late 1999, won astonishing praise from fellow historians and reviewers. Thomas Slaughter of Notre Dame said: "Fleming gets the story right in ways that generations of historians have missed." The Associated Press reviewer wrote: "It is impossible not to love this book."
Fleming's previous history book, Liberty! The American Revolution told the story of the nation's founding in conjunction with a six part series on the Revolution that appeared on PBS in November 1997. The book summed up more than 25 years of Fleming's research and writing on the nation's founding. One reviewer said it was "that rare essential book that belongs in every school and home." It was a main selection the Book of the Month Club and the History Book Club. The latter rated it one of the eight best books of the year.
In the spring of 2004, Conquerors of the Sky, Fleming's 22nd novel, which celebrated 100 years of flight in America, won lavish praise from many reviewers and was featured in a Publisher's Weekly author interview. His 1981 novel, The Officers' Wives, about three West Pointers and their wives during Korea and Vietnam, was an international bestseller. So was Time And Tide, about a troubled cruiser in the Pacific during World War II. In the 1970s, another bestseller, Liberty Tavern, was called "The Gone With The Wind of the American Revolution." Fleming has been praised for his "powerful ability to use fiction as a way of providing readers with astonishing new perspectives on world events."
On January 4, 2004, Thomas Fleming was the guest on C-Span's In Depth show. For three hours, he discussed his career and answered questions about the forty books he has published since 1960. Only twelve American writers are selected for this honor in a calendar year. It was a climax of sorts to the many appearances he has made on television and radio in recent years. Previously, he had appeared on C-Span's Book Talk show, discussing The New Dealers' War. C-Span has also filmed many of his speeches, such as one at the Library of Congress on The Illusion of Victory.
In 1996, Mr. Fleming was the principal commentator on PBS's four part documentary, "Long Journey Home, the Story of the Irish in America." When West Point celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2002, Mr. Fleming was again a principal commentator on the PBS show. (His 1969 book, West Point, The Men and Times of the U.S. Military Academy, was praised by the New York Times reviewer as "the best book ever written" about the school.)
In 2001, Boston University gave Fleming the Burack Award for his lifetime contribution to American literature. In 2003, the Union League Club of New York gave him their Abraham Lincoln Award, with a similar citation.
Thomas Fleming is a Fellow of the Society of American Historians. He has been president of the American branch of PEN, the international writers' organization. He has also been chairman of the American Revolution Round Table. He is currently the senior scholar at the National Center for the American Revolution at Valley Forge. A graduate of St. Peter's Prep and Fordham University (1950) he lives in New York with his wife, Alice, a distinguished writer of books for young readers.