Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 224
•
Trim: 6 x 9
978-0-7425-4221-1 • Paperback • March 2005 • $38.00 • (£30.00)
978-0-7425-8022-0 • eBook • March 2005 • $36.00 • (£30.00)
James G. Blight and Janet M. Lang served as academic advisors for Errol Morris's film. Pioneers in the field of critical oral history, they teach at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Relations. James Blight is the author of more than a dozen books on the recent history of U.S. foreign policy, most recently Sad and Luminous Days: CubaOs Struggle with the Superpowers after the Missile Crisis (with Philip Brenner); Cuba on the Brink: Castro, the Missile Crisis, and the Soviet Collapse (with David A. Welch); WilsonOs Ghost: Reducing the Risk of Conflict, Killing and Catastrophe in the 21st Century (with Robert S. McNamara); and Argument Without End: In Search of Answers to the Vietnam Tragedy (with Robert S. McNamara and Robert K. Brigham).
1 Acknowledgements 2 Authors' Note 3 Prologue: Critical Oral History: Robert McNamara's Road to The Fog of War 4 Lesson One: Empathize with your enemy 5 Lesson Two: Rationality will not save us 6 Lesson Three: Belief and seeing are both often wrong 7 Lesson Four: Proportionality should be a guideline in war 8 Lesson Five: Be prepared to reexamine your reasoning 9 Critical Essays: I'd rather be damned if I don't 10 Epilogue: Wilson's Ghost 11 Appendix A: Chronology of the Life and Times of Robert S. McNamara 12 Appendix B: Further Reading and Exploration 13 Credits 14 Acronyms 15 Notes 16 Index 17 About the Authors
Essential reading for anyone interested in drawing lessons from the Vietnam war.....
— Robert K. Brigham, Vassar College; author of Guerrilla Diplomacy
It is difficult to imagine a book more terribly relevant than The Fog of War. James Blight and janet Lang weave together a compelling narrative, important historical documents from the Cuban missile crisis and the Vietnam war, and gripping exchangesof old adversaries met in dialogue in order to offer readers Robert McNamara's darkly prophetic 'lessons.' In so doing, they brilliantly engage the turbulent, complex, endlessly fascinating life of this remarkable public figure. This book is certainly one of the surest guides through the fog, and we would be wise to pay attention...
— Edward T. Linenthal
This book should help teachers and students use Errol Morris's 'The Fog of War' as a launching pad for debating Robert McNamara's lessons about war and peace.....
— Graham Allison
Jim Blight and janet Lang's book is a novel achievement. The documentation, and their enormously helpful commentary, complements the film in an incredibly valuable way. This book should be read by anyone who wants to understand the perilous world we livein....
— Paul L. Wachtel, distinguished professor of psychology, City University of New York at City College
This fascinating book is rich with lessons for leaders, citizens and students. It is hard to put down. I hope that more of our leaders will pick it up.....
— Joseph S. Nye Jr., University Distinguished Service Professor, Harvard University