BLUNDERING INTO DIASTER

by Robert S. McNamara

Discusses the dangers of the arms race and argues that a build-up of conventional weapons would provide greater security

Genres: History, Nonfiction

212 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Robert Strange McNamara (June 9, 1916 – July 6, 2009) was an American business executive and the eighth Secretary of Defense, serving from 1961 to 1968 under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, during which time he played a large role in escalating the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Following that, he served as President of the World Bank from 1968 to 1981. McNamara was responsible for the institution of systems analysis in public policy, which developed into the discipline known today as policy analysis. McNamara consolidated intelligence and logistics functions of the Pentagon into two centralized agencies: the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Defense Supply Agency.

Prior to public service, McNamara was one of the "Whiz Kids" who helped rebuild Ford Motor Company after World War II, and briefly served as Ford's President before becoming Secretary of Defense. A group of advisors he brought to the Pentagon inherited the "Whiz Kids" moniker.

McNamara remains the longest serving Secretary of Defense at over seven years.

Reviews

[K Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of several books authored by former Ford Motor Company executive, US Defense Secretary, and president of the Word Bank, Robert McNamara, “Blundering” represents the best strategic thinking about nuclear weapons policy and integrated defense planning available at the time of its writing (1986). Of course the collapse of the USSR, the rise of the PRC, and the resulting shift in US foreign policy objectives in the last 40 years has rendered much of Mr. McNamara’s analysis moot. Yet the first two chapters of the book, which succinctly recount the history of nuclear geopolitics, as well as the nuclear terminology glossary at the back, are as good a reason as any to pick up a gently used copy of “Blundering” for your personal library.