Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam
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Book Overview
- H. R. McMaster (from the Conclusion)
"Dereliction Of Duty" is a stunning new analysis of how and why the United States became involved in an all-out and disastrous war in Southeast Asia. Fully and convincingly researched, based on recently released transcripts and personal accounts of crucial meetings, confrontations and decisions, it is the only book that fully re-creates what happened and why. It also pinpoints the policies and decisions that got the United States into the morass and reveals who made these decisions and the motives behind them, disproving the published theories of other historians and excuses of the participants.
"Dereliction Of Duty" covers the story in strong narrative fashion, focusing on a fascinating cast of characters: President Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, General Maxwell Taylor, McGeorge Bundy and other top aides who deliberately deceived the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. Congress and the American public.
Sure to generate controversy, "Dereliction Of Duty" is an explosive and authoritative new look at the controversy concerning the United States involvement in Vietnam.
Customer Reviews
Rated 5 starsIncisive & Devastating
This is the most incisively devastating book I have ever read on military history. When I finished reading it, I felt like I had taken a punch in the abdomen. Words like "riviting", "masterpiece" and "moving" tend to be wasted on most books, but not this one. This is a model in historical writing. The book begins with the Kennedy administration and covers it in two chapters; most of the detail begins with Johnson's accession...
10Report
Rated 5 starsA "must-read" (especially for politicians and generals!)
Although the Vietnam Conflict stretched over a quarter-century in duration, this book is a snapshot look at the pivotal decisions made in Washington DC that changed American involvement in Vietnam from an advisory effort to large-scale intervention. McMaster's research fully exposes the true depth of conceit and duplicity on the part of men like Robert McNamara, McGeorge Bundy, and even Maxwell Taylor and it challenges...
6Report
Rated 5 starsA very important work...
Very well written. Extremely well researched and documented. Should be required reading for all military service personnel and their families - as well as for all high school students in the US.Our military service personnel deserved a lot better than they got from our government then - and they still do.
7Report
Rated 5 starsThe Civilians' War
History is more than the dry repetition of dates and statistics; it must show how the players understood their world. H.R. McMaster demonstrates in " Dereliction of Duty" the instincts of a detective coupled with a writing style that is clear and concise. He spares neither the military or their civilian masters in his analysis of the blundering and scheming that eventually culminated in the deaths of over a million people...
7Report
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