“The war in Vietnam was not lost in the field, nor was it lost on the front pages of the New York Times or the college campuses. It was lost in Washington, D.C.” —H. R. McMaster (from the Conclusion)Dereliction Of Duty is a stunning 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 transcripts … convincingly researched, based on transcripts and personal accounts of crucial meetings, confrontations and decisions, it is the only book that fully re-creates what happened and why. McMaster 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.
A page-turning narrative, Dereliction Of Duty focuses 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.
McMaster’s only book, Dereliction of Duty is an explosive and authoritative new look at the controversy concerning the United States involvement in Vietnam.
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NOT FOR THE CAUSAL READER but if you really want to understand why we REALLY went to Vietnam, this is the book to read.
I was an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam and have had a great disdain for several of the key people in government and military ever since but this book has changed my opinion of many. But as the old saying goes, “It’s …
Had not read this in several years. Stands up well. Careful research. I think McM apportions blame shrewdly and fairly. I do wish again that he’d spent more time on the Geneva Accords. Did Dulles walk himself and the US out because he was a pompous ass or because he was under orders from Ike, who was looking ahead for an excuse to not hold the …
I am of the generation that witnessed much of this first hand and through those who were directly involved. I recall the first reason for Vietnam was to protect our sources of certain metals. Turned out to be another lie from the left.But having survived LBJ’s war as an infantry soldier I soon learned never to trust the real enemies of our …
McMaster did, no pun intended, a masterful job on this book. This book rates right up there as high as “A Bright Shining Lie”about the deceitful lying actions of our nation’s government and running the Vietnam War.
It would appear to me that we are repeating the same mistakes now in other parts of the world with our never ending obsession of being …
A sad story that would result in impeachment today.
If you lived through these times The actions of the Democratic President were deplorable. It is a wee up call of how you mean so little in this country or your vote.
This book exposes Lyndon Johnson, Congress, and military leadership (every general officer in service) as hacks and liars all bent on protecting and promoting their own sphere of influence. Had we taken heed of this book and it’s demonstration of ineptitude at all these levels we, American society, could have avoided the subsequent debacles we …
McMaster breaks new ground in the history of the Vietnam War. He explains how the relationship between the Joint Chiefs and their civilian superiors like the President and Secretary of Defense either ignored or purposefully circumvented their military advice on how the conduct the war to prevent Communist aggression from overrunning South …
The inside story of how the U.S. bolloxed Viet Nam from the start.
If you want to understand how the US Government wondered into the war in Vietnam without a strategy this is the book.
Good for history, but very dry
A critical look at a controvisal period of American history and politics. McMasters is a smart soldier, diplomat and politician all on one!
General McMaster goes into great detail about the behind the scenes events which led to our involvement in Vietnam. Interesting to see how the Kennedy and Johnson administrations functioned. Also insightful on the Joint Chiefs of Staff dysfunction and how the administrations viewed the military. Much of the information is deeply disturbing. I …
Disturbing behind the scene look at decisions poorly made and still adversely affecting our national spirit.
It was hard to read.
Well-written history of those tortured times.
exposes many of the corrupt and idiotic decisions made by LBJ and Robert S. McNamara
A real eye opener when it comes to politics.
As a Viet Nam vet (’62–’68) these actions and (unfortunately) many like them perpetrated on a trusting nation has provided me, with not quite cynical, a healthy disrespect for our legislative and executive branches of government. Let’s not leave out the judiciary and their head-shaking bewildering decisions which are so far removed from our …
Outstanding look behind the Political/Military curtain …. regarding the slow growth of the Vietnam War.