
Dereliction of Duty
Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam
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Narrated by:
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H. R. McMaster
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By:
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H. R. McMaster
About this listen
"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 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 riveting 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 US 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.
©1997 H. R. McMaster (P)2018 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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Not a great one…
- By STS-51-L on 05-04-23
By: H. R. McMaster, and others
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Defeat into Victory
- Battling Japan in Burma and India, 1942-1945
- By: Field-Marshal Viscount William Slim, David W. Hogan Jr. - introduction
- Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
- Length: 23 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Field Marshal Viscount Slim (1891-1970) led shattered British forces from Burma to India in one of the lesser-known but more nightmarish retreats of World War II. He then restored his army's fighting capabilities and morale with virtually no support from home and counterattacked. His army's slaughter of Japanese troops ultimately liberated India and Burma.
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Excellent account of a theatre of ww2 that many Americans know little about of
- By Thomas W White on 01-06-24
By: Field-Marshal Viscount William Slim, and others
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The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
- By: Thomas E. Ricks
- Narrated by: William Hughes
- Length: 15 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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A widening gulf between performance and accountability has caused history to be kinder to the American generals of World War II than to those of later wars. In The Generals we meet leaders from World War II to the present who rose to the occasion - and those who failed.
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Provocative
- By Jean on 04-30-15
By: Thomas E. Ricks
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Vietnam
- A History
- By: Stanley Karnow
- Narrated by: Edward Holland
- Length: 27 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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In this comprehensive history, Stanley Karnow demystifies the tragic ordeal of America's war in Vietnam. The book's central theme is that America's leaders, prompted as much by domestic politics as by global ambitions, carried the United States into Southeast Asia with little regard for the realities of the region. Karnow elucidates the decision-making process in Washington and Asia and recounts the political and military events that occurred after the Americans arrived in Vietnam.
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As stunning as it was engaging
- By David Ewing on 08-06-07
By: Stanley Karnow
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Before the First Shots Are Fired
- How America Can Win or Lose Off the Battlefield
- By: Tony Koltz, Tony Zinni
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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For the better part of the last half century, the United States has been the world's police, claiming to defend ideologies, allies, and our national security through brute force. But is military action always the most appropriate response? Drawing on his vast experience, retired four-star general Tony Zinni argues that we have a lot of work to do to make the process of going to war-or not-more clear-eyed and ultimately successful.
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A must read for leaders
- By Ted on 06-17-22
By: Tony Koltz, and others
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Road to Disaster
- A New History of America’s Descent into Vietnam
- By: Brian VanDeMark
- Narrated by: Ron Butler
- Length: 23 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Many books have been written on the tragic decisions regarding Vietnam made by the stars of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Yet despite many words of analysis and reflection, no historian has been able to explain why such decent and previously successful men stumbled so badly. That changes with Road to Disaster. Historian Brian VanDeMark draws upon decades of archival research, his own interviews with many of those involved, and a wealth of previously unheard recordings by Robert McNamara and Clark Clifford, who served as Defense Secretaries for Kennedy and Johnson.
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Vietnam Veteran
- By Jim Rollins on 04-02-19
By: Brian VanDeMark
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Crusade in Europe
- A Personal Account of World War II
- By: Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 22 hrs
- Unabridged
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Five-star General Dwight D. Eisenhower was arguably the single most important military figure of World War II. Crusade in Europe tells the complete story of the war as he planned and executed it. Through Eisenhower's eyes the enormous scope and drama of the war—strategy, battles, moments of great decision—become fully illuminated in all their fateful glory. Penned before his Presidency, this account is deeply human and helped propel him to the highest office.
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Great audiobook, wonderful narration
- By Ed Pegg Jr on 09-19-23
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Trump in Exile
- By: Meridith McGraw
- Narrated by: Beth Hicks
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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The Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, put a horrific closing note on a norm-shattering presidency, as the twice-impeached Donald Trump rode a wave of denial and resentment out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and crashed back at Mar-a-Lago—seemingly wounded, seemingly done. But he wasn’t. And what, exactly, was he building in there? Meridith McGraw vividly chronicles the incredible period of Trump’s exile in South Florida and brings us inside the gilded walls of his private club, where an alternate reality in which the 2020 election was stolen became Republican Party orthodoxy.
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Wish I’d Have Returned Sooner…
- By Deanne Hanson on 09-30-24
By: Meridith McGraw
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On the Trail of the JFK Assassins
- A Groundbreaking Look at America's Most Infamous Conspiracy
- By: Dick Russell
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 15 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Using newly declassified information, Dick Russell builds on three decades of painstaking research in On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, offering one of the most comprehensive and authoritative examinations of the assassination of our 35th president. Included are new revelations, such as the theory that Lee Harvey Oswald was subjected to “mind control,” Russell’s personal encounters inside the KGB headquarters, and new information gleaned from an interview with Oswald’s widow.
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noooooooooooooooo!
- By JSR1972 on 10-03-18
By: Dick Russell
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The Forgotten Soldier
- By: Guy Sajer
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 21 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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When Guy Sajer joins the infantry full of ideals in the summer of 1942, the German army is enjoying unparalleled success in Russia. However, he quickly finds that for the foot soldier the glory of military success hides a much harsher reality of hunger, fatigue, and constant deprivation. Posted to the elite Grosse Deutschland division, he enters a violent and remorseless world where all youthful hope is gradually ground down, and all that matters is the brute will to survive.
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A Beautifully Written Heartrending Tragedy
- By Gillian on 03-31-17
By: Guy Sajer
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Dereliction of Duty
- The Eyewitness Account of How Bill Clinton Compromised America's National Security
- By: Robert Patterson
- Narrated by: J. C. Hayes
- Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Here is the ultimate insider's account from the highest and most sensitive levels of the Clinton administration, revealing how the irresponsible use of power can lead to a terrible price paid by all Americans. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Buzz" Patterson was one of the military aides to commander-in-chief William Jefferson Clinton. What Patterson saw shocked him - and finally led him to write this stunning book.
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Ouch... With Friends Like This!
- By James on 12-21-13
By: Robert Patterson
What listeners say about Dereliction of Duty
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- Michael
- 08-17-20
the truth behind the failure into Vietnam
The history of America's decent into Vietnam began with president Kennedy's administration and was drivin further down a path with no foreseeable future for success. simply put, H.R.McMaster walks you through the abdication of responsibility by the joint chiefs of staff, President Lyndon B Johnson and Secretary of Defense McNamara to the American people. the Joint chief of staff focused on how to win tactically but failed to speak thw truth regarding the full requirements of success. This detailed book accounts for all the decisions, misjudgments, comprises, and omissions that led to Vietnam.
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- Walter
- 10-08-23
The blunders that led to a war of folly in Vietnam
H.R. McMaster, in his first book, scrutinizes the American decisions and decision-making processes that led to American intervention in Vietnam.
McMaster ultimately concludes that it was the incompetence, and indifference to the outcome, by the POLITICAL leaders of the era, namely LBJ's sidelining of the military leadership, that made America blunder into a war that could not be won.
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- Merle Newman
- 10-10-18
A General Speaks Truth to Power
The author most recently served as National Security Advisor to President Trump departing after just one year apparently over differences with the President. This book is a detailed analysis of what when wrong in Vietnam from the perspective of a highly educated US military officer who was not a decision maker at that time. The focus is on the period of 1962 to 1965 and while very detailed it is also very repetitive. But if you want to get riled up (again) over the handling of the Vietnam War this is the book for you. The author is the narrator. His performance as a narrator is unpolished but sincere. It’s worth the read.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Male in Chicago
- 05-02-19
A strong and well written argument
A strong and well written argument regarding the current belief that the Vietnam War or Limited Police Action in South Vietnam, was caused by deceit and lies, and that Johnson would do whatever it took to get the Great Society passed
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- Steve Dietrich
- 03-22-20
A MUST READ FOR THE LESSONS OF HISTORY
John F Kennedy declared , in one of his early speeches , " there is no place too far away to fight for freedom" and began the quiet insertion of US Special Forces into Vietnam. It was part of his effort to move away from Mutual Assured Destruction , sending US advisors to work with foreign nations including South Vietnam. Those advisors were officially stationed in the US and TDY to far off places
Kennedy also brought HBS and Ford whizkid David McNamara into the administration. Throughout it's history the nation the President, as commander and chief of the military , has had a very close relationship with the Chiefs of the various services. McNamara began to challenge that but Kennedy maintained control until his assignation.
In the vacuum that existed after Kennedy's death McNamara accelerated his efforts to distance the service chiefs from the President. Johnson also used McNamara to blunt the chief's communication channel to the President to suit both Johnson's and McNamara's political agenda.
McMaster documents the tragedy as it unfolds, McNamara's manipulation , often on Johnsons' request . Along the way the careers of many of the military's most competent leaders were sacrificed in order to implement a sure to loose strategy in Vietnam. McNamara cut out the military leaders time and again so that the President did not have to face a truth that he did not want to be responsible for knowing.
At the same time McNamara's whiz kids were trying to take control of military aircraft designs. Their fixation on his pet TFX as a joint service fighter was only stopped when one Admiral sacrificed his career to protect the nation. Facing a Senate committee hearing on the project Admiral Tom Connally was asked about the project and responded , " Senator there's not enough power in all of Christdom to operate that aircraft off a carrier. " In a rare victory, McNamara's politicization of the military acquisition process was challenged and the F-14 was born. It became the Tomcat in honor of the admiral who sacrificed his career for the truth and ruled the skies until grounded by Clinton.
McMaster's account reflects painstaking research and lets the facts tell the story with very little interpretation - a great and important read.
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- LDL
- 11-11-19
A sobering but important story
H.R McMaster provides a critical lesson for anyone interested in military planning, public policy, or the survival of representative democracy. It's the story of how key well meaning individuals neglected their true responsibilities in deference to consensus and institutional loyalty. Well worth the time and definitely enhanced by the author's narration.
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- Greg
- 08-17-21
Great Info but hard to follow
Great book for any military leader. Following along was a little choppy especially if you know very little about the Vietnam politics. Another great book by this author is Battle Grounds.
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- Steve
- 01-28-24
Great summary of complex processes, decisions, and motivations
This book provides fascinating insights into the inner workings of the Johnson administration, starting with what led up to his beliefs, and approaches to working with the military, and the consequences of his priorities at the time: winning the election and his domestic policy. Very well constructed narrative
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- Ron Davis
- 12-18-22
I'm a Vietnam Veteran
I was 19 years old and believed in the government and the so called Domino theory of communist world domination. Vietnam changed me and Agent Orange gave me bone cancer in my 30s. It killed friends and caused disability like Parkinson's disease in others. My war BFF has suffered with debilitating PTSD since the war and was placed on 100% disability by the VA We are now in our 70s and he is still "wired" all the time. All to serve the political ambitions of government leaders and the dereliction of duty of top officers. I was back from the war for 25 years before anyone thanked me for my service. First time it happened I broke down and cried. Along with this book which is excellent I would recommend A Bright Shinning Lie.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Thomas S.
- 01-30-21
A concise and fact based presentation of the mistakes that led to the tragedy in Vietnam
The book starts with the Kennedy administration and presents detailed facts that build a story of the failure in Vietnam. The opinions that are given are based on those facts and the Generals military experience.
It leads to a basic conclusion. No matter what time period it might be somethings never change. If you as the leader of your country do not possess the will and desire to win then all your doing is throwing lives away for nothing.
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1 person found this helpful