John R. Alden

James B. Duke Professor of History Emeritus, Duke University

Most overrated:

Theodore Roosevelt, whose behavior was too often based upon ego rather than thought and principle.

Most underrated:

Gen. George Marshall, who abandoned the opportunity to win glory in World War II as the commander in chief in the European theater to give more important service as the chief of staff, who was a splendid Secretary of State and the principal architect of the brilliant Marshall Plan.