Manchester paints a sympathetic but balanced portrait of MacArthur, praising the general for what he calls his military genius, administrative skill, and personal bravery, while criticizing his vanity, paranoia, and tendency toward insubordination. As the title suggests, Manchester's central thesis is that MacArthur was an analogue of Julius Caesar, a proposition he supports by comparing their purported great intellect, brilliant strategic generalship, political ambition, magnanimity as conquerors, and shared tragic flaw of hubris.
It was made into a series in 1983 hosted by John Huston.
Wiltz, John Edward (Oct 1979). "William Manchester's American Caesar: Some Observations". Military Affairs. 43 (3): 156–157. doi:10.2307/1986876. JSTOR1986876.
