On the Psychology of Military Incompetence
| AUTHOR | Dixon, Norman F. |
| PUBLISHER | Basic Books (05/31/2016) |
| PRODUCT TYPE | Paperback (Paperback) |
Description
The indisputable classic of military history that uncovers the shortcomings of military leadership and explains why generals fail
The Crimea, the Boer War, the Somme, Tobruk, Pearl Harbor, the Bay of Pigs: these are just some of the milestones in a century of military incompetence, of costly mishaps and tragic blunders. Are these simple accidents--as the "bloody fool" theory has it--or are they inevitable? The psychologist Norman F. Dixon argues that there is a pattern to inept generalship, and he locates this pattern within the very act of creating armies in the first place, which in his view produces a levelling down of human capability that encourages the mediocre and limits the gifted. In this light, successful generals achieve what they do despite the stultifying features of the organization to which they belong. On the Psychology of Military Incompetence is at once an original exploration of the battles that have defined the last two centuries of human civilization and an essential guide for the next generation of military leaders.
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Product Format
Product Details
ISBN-13:
9780465097807
ISBN-10:
0465097804
Binding:
Paperback or Softback (Trade Paperback (Us))
Content Language:
English
More Product Details
Page Count:
528
Carton Quantity:
32
Product Dimensions:
5.40 x 1.50 x 8.20 inches
Weight:
1.20 pound(s)
Feature Codes:
Bibliography,
Index,
Price on Product,
Illustrated
Country of Origin:
US
Subject Information
BISAC Categories
History | Wars & Conflicts - World War II - General
History | General
History | Russia - General
Dewey Decimal:
355.331
Library of Congress Control Number:
2017471198
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
publisher marketing
The indisputable classic of military history that uncovers the shortcomings of military leadership and explains why generals fail
The Crimea, the Boer War, the Somme, Tobruk, Pearl Harbor, the Bay of Pigs: these are just some of the milestones in a century of military incompetence, of costly mishaps and tragic blunders. Are these simple accidents--as the "bloody fool" theory has it--or are they inevitable? The psychologist Norman F. Dixon argues that there is a pattern to inept generalship, and he locates this pattern within the very act of creating armies in the first place, which in his view produces a levelling down of human capability that encourages the mediocre and limits the gifted. In this light, successful generals achieve what they do despite the stultifying features of the organization to which they belong. On the Psychology of Military Incompetence is at once an original exploration of the battles that have defined the last two centuries of human civilization and an essential guide for the next generation of military leaders.
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