The fog of war : lessons from the life of Robert S. McNamara / James G. Blight and Janet M. Lang.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Blight, James G.

Contributor:

Lang, Janet M., 1948-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

McNamara, Robert S., 1916-2009.

McNamara, Robert S.

McNamara, Robert S., 1916-2009--Political and social views.

McNamara, Robert S., 1916-2009--Interviews.

United States. Department of Defense--Biography.

United States.

United States. Department of Defense.

Cabinet officers--United States--Biography.

Cabinet officers.

Political and social views.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

United States--History, Military--20th century.

History, Military.

United States--Military policy.

Military policy.

Genre:

Biographies.

Interviews.

Physical Description:

xiii, 307 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [2005]

Summary:

The Fog of War provides the background behind the Academy Award-winning documentary by Errol Morris. In this intriguing work, editors James G. Blight and janet M. Lang, who served as academic advisors on the film, bring together film transcripts, documents, dialogues, and essays to explore the issues raised by Robert McNamara's life and work.

Contents:

Prologue: Critical Oral History: Robert McNamara's Road to "The Fog of War" 3

1 Lesson 1: Empathize with Your Enemy 27

2 Lesson 2: Rationality Will Not Save Us 59

3 Lesson 3: Belief and Seeing, They're Both Often Wrong 87

4 Lesson 4: Proportionality Should Be a Guideline in War 113

5 Lesson 5: Be Prepared to Reexamine Your Reasoning 139

6 Critical essays: I'd Rather Be Damned If I Don't 173

Epilogue: Wilson's Ghost 219

Appendix A Chronology of the Life and Times of Robert S. McNamara 243

Appendix B Further Reading and Exploration 249.

Notes:

Companion book to the documentary film The fog of war.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [265]-294) and index.

ISBN:

0742542203

0742542211

OCLC:

57392078