Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Every War It Starts - Hardcover

Anatomy of Failure powerfully and provocatively documents America's repeated martial failures [...] his book is an important corrective to the American triumphalism that continues to dominate US political discourse." - Survival, 61.1 (2019) "This book should be read by all practitioners and serious students of national security as the guide for avoiding failures and miscalculations in using American military power." - Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-93) and 65th Secretary of State "Ullman's rigorous intellectual process is a meaningful contribution to the national dialogue. Every question he asks is one that should be asked and answered, however imperfectly, before our country jumps in or backs in to another military intervention, especially in an increasingly complex world of non-state actors, shifting alliances, and emerging power centers." - John F. Kerry, 68th Secretary of State "Harlan Ullman's latest book is one of the most insightful assessments of modern U.S. military history. I highly recommend this book to presidents, policymakers, and the public alike as it recalls the lessons from our nation's cautionary tales and guides us toward a safer, more peaceful future." - Gen. James L. Jones Jr., USMC (Ret)., former Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and National Security Advisor "America's military remains the finest in the world. Yet, our warfighting successes may not be in keeping with our military's preponderant superiority. In Anatomy of Failure, Harlan Ullman draws upon years of inimitable insight and access to succinctly explain why: the faults lie not in the Pentagon but in the White House. This contentious and stimulating book offers an important perspective and should be on the must-read list of elected officials on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue."- Mary Beth Long, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and chair of NATO's High Level Group "Anatomy of Failure is part Clausewitz, part Tom Clancy, with personal insights by its hugely experienced author that brilliantly translate why the United States, the most powerful nation on earth, has so often fallen short of its objectives." - Lord Michael Dobbs, creator of the series House of Cards "Unlike many books, this one is highly prescriptive in its innovative and intellectually rich recommendations to avoid future failures. As the world comes to grips with the increasing threat of terrorism with global reach, Anatomy of Failure should be the textbook for governments and publics to defeat this new and highly contagious danger." - Shaukat Aziz, former prime minister of Pakistan and finance minister of Pakistan "The book's outstanding feature is its inclusion of dialogues among the author and presidents and members of the foreign-policy complex. Ullman is not afraid to mince words; he offers well-researched assessments that discomfort cliche-spouting authorities." - Foreward "....Any and all leaders and students of national security will greatly benefit from this book." - David Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux "Anatomy of Failure is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of U.S. leadership." - The Huffington Post "Hopefully, by writing such a challenging and "truth to power" book as Anatomy of Failure, Harlan Ullman will influence the way our national leaders approach the possibility of further armed conflict overseas" - Task and Purpose "Ullman's thesis can be boiled down to one phrase: too much muscle; not enough thinking. He recommends a "brains-based" approach. That would be a good place to start. Intelligent volunteers should begin by reading his book." - Financial Times "The author, an apparently well-connected academic, commentator and former American naval officer - he commanded `Swift Boats' in Vietnam alongside former Secretary of State John Kerry - presents a depressing but very realistic analysis of America's post World War II military history." - Ausmarine "Anatomy of Failure is imbued with the wisdom that comes with hindsight of an engaged scholar-statesman-warrior and provides a thought-provoking alternative to the seemingly patchwork approach when placing the U.S. Armed Forces in harm's way." - Military Review "[A]n exemplary review of the decision making process used by successive U.S. administrations beginning with the Vietnam War. Deeply personal while simultaneously broad in scope and concise in narrative, this sidelong eyewitness insight into national decision making is a must read for anyone interested or participating in the grand strategy of statecraft." - On Point: The Journal of Army History

Since the end of World War II, America lost every war it started and failed in military interventions when it did not use sound strategic thinking or have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstances in deciding to use force. The public and politicians need to understand why we have often failed in using military force and the causes. From that understanding, hopefully future administrations will be better prepared when considering the most vexing decision to employ force and send Americans into battle. The twin causes have been the failure to think strategically and to have sufficient knowledge and understanding when deciding on the use of force. Interestingly, this failure applies to republicans and democrats alike and seems inherent in our national DNA as we continue ignore past mistakes. By examining the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama in using force or starting wars, it becomes self-evident why we fail. And the argument is reinforced by autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history. The recommendations and solutions offered in Anatomy of Failure begin with a framework for a brains based approach to strategic thinking and then address specific bureaucratic, political, organizational and cultural deficiencies have reinforced this propensity for failure. The clarion call of the book is that both a sound strategic framework and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.