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    PRESS RELEASE: Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Every War It Starts

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    Naval Institute Press
    Why, since the end of World War II, has the United States either lost every war it started or failed in every military intervention it prosecuted? Harlan Ullman’s new book addresses this most disturbing question, one Americans would never think of considering because this record of failure has been largely hidden in plain sight or forgotten with the passage of time. The most straightforward answer is that presidents and administrations have consistently failed to use sound strategic thinking and lacked sufficient knowledge or understanding of the circumstances prior to deciding whether to employ force. To succeed, sound strategic thinking must transcend or minimize the vagaries of politics, ideologies, simplistic campaign slogans, wishful ideas, and the inexperience that have handicapped so many of the nation’s commanders in chief over the past six decades and almost certainly will affect future presidents. Ullman makes this case with an in-depth analysis of the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama and Donald Trump in using force or starting wars. His recommended solutions begin with a “brains-based” approach to sound strategic thinking to mitigate one of the major causes of failure—the inexperience of too many of the nation’s commanders-in-chief. Ullman reinforces his argument using autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history. The clarion call of Anatomy of Failure is that sound strategic thinking and judgment and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.

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    PRESS RELEASE: Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Every War It Starts

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    Naval Institute Press
    297 views2 pages
    Why, since the end of World War II, has the United States either lost every war it started or failed in every military intervention it prosecuted? Harlan Ullman’s new book addresses this most disturbing question, one Americans would never think of considering because this record of failure has been largely hidden in plain sight or forgotten with the passage of time. The most straightforward answer is that presidents and administrations have consistently failed to use sound strategic thinking and lacked sufficient knowledge or understanding of the circumstances prior to deciding whether to employ force. To succeed, sound strategic thinking must transcend or minimize the vagaries of politics, ideologies, simplistic campaign slogans, wishful ideas, and the inexperience that have handicapped so many of the nation’s commanders in chief over the past six decades and almost certainly will affect future presidents. Ullman makes this case with an in-depth analysis of the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama and Donald Trump in using force or starting wars. His recommended solutions begin with a “brains-based” approach to sound strategic thinking to mitigate one of the major causes of failure—the inexperience of too many of the nation’s commanders-in-chief. Ullman reinforces his argument using autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history. The clarion call of Anatomy of Failure is that sound strategic thinking and judgment and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.

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    Why, since the end of World War II, has the United States either lost every war it started or failed in every military intervention it prosecuted? Harlan Ullman’s new book addresses this most disturbing question, one Americans would never think of considering because this record of failure has been largely hidden in plain sight or forgotten with the passage of time. The most straightforward answer is that presidents and administrations have consistently failed to use sound strategic thinking and lacked sufficient knowledge or understanding of the circumstances prior to deciding whether to employ force. To succeed, sound strategic thinking must transcend or minimize the vagaries of politics, ideologies, simplistic campaign slogans, wishful ideas, and the inexperience that have handicapped so many of the nation’s commanders in chief over the past six decades and almost certainly will affect future presidents. Ullman makes this case with an in-depth analysis of the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama and Donald Trump in using force or starting wars. His recommended solutions begin with a “brains-based” approach to sound strategic thinking to mitigate one of the major causes of failure—the inexperience of too many of the nation’s commanders-in-chief. Ullman reinforces his argument using autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history. The clarion call of Anatomy of Failure is that sound strategic thinking and judgment and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    297 views2 pages

    PRESS RELEASE: Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Every War It Starts

    Uploaded by

    Naval Institute Press
    Why, since the end of World War II, has the United States either lost every war it started or failed in every military intervention it prosecuted? Harlan Ullman’s new book addresses this most disturbing question, one Americans would never think of considering because this record of failure has been largely hidden in plain sight or forgotten with the passage of time. The most straightforward answer is that presidents and administrations have consistently failed to use sound strategic thinking and lacked sufficient knowledge or understanding of the circumstances prior to deciding whether to employ force. To succeed, sound strategic thinking must transcend or minimize the vagaries of politics, ideologies, simplistic campaign slogans, wishful ideas, and the inexperience that have handicapped so many of the nation’s commanders in chief over the past six decades and almost certainly will affect future presidents. Ullman makes this case with an in-depth analysis of the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama and Donald Trump in using force or starting wars. His recommended solutions begin with a “brains-based” approach to sound strategic thinking to mitigate one of the major causes of failure—the inexperience of too many of the nation’s commanders-in-chief. Ullman reinforces his argument using autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history. The clarion call of Anatomy of Failure is that sound strategic thinking and judgment and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.

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    of 2

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact: Jacqline Barnes


    (410) 295-1028, [email protected]
    www.usni.org

    Anatomy of Failure is part Von 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. Michael Lord Dobbs, creator of the series House of Cards

    ANATOMY OF FAILURE
    Why America Loses Every War It Starts

    By Harlan K. Ullman
    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 (198993) and 65th Secretary of
    State

    Ullmans 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 Ullmans 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
    nations 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

    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 books 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
    clich-spouting authorities. . . . This is an important book for presidents, officials, and citizens concerned about
    Americas evolving role in the world. Foreword Reviews

    Why, since the end of World War II, has the United States either lost every war it started or failed in every military
    intervention it prosecuted?

    Harlan Ullmans new book addresses this most disturbing question, one Americans would never think of considering
    because this record of failure has been largely hidden in plain sight or forgotten with the passage of time.

    The most straightforward answer is that presidents and administrations have consistently failed to use sound strategic
    thinking and lacked sufficient knowledge or understanding of the circumstances prior to deciding whether to employ
    force. To succeed, sound strategic thinking must transcend or minimize the vagaries of politics, ideologies, simplistic
    campaign slogans, wishful ideas, and the inexperience that have handicapped so many of the nations commanders in
    chief over the past six decades and almost certainly will affect future presidents.

    Ullman makes this case with an in-depth analysis of the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack
    Obama and Donald Trump in using force or starting wars. His recommended solutions begin with a brains-based
    approach to sound strategic thinking to mitigate one of the major causes of failurethe inexperience of too many of
    the nations commanders-in-chief. Ullman reinforces his argument using autobiographical vignettes that provide a
    human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history.

    The clarion call of Anatomy of Failure is that sound strategic thinking and judgment and sufficient knowledge and
    understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually
    guaranteed.

    HARLAN K. ULLMAN is a strategic thinker and innovator whose career spans the worlds of business and
    government. Chairman of two private companies and an advisor to the heads of major corporations and
    governments, he was the principal author of shock and awe and originator of a brains-based approach to
    strategic thinking. He served in combat assignments in Vietnam and in destroyer command at sea. Ullman holds an
    MA, MALD, and PhD from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and lives in
    Washington, D.C.

    ANATOMY OF FAILURE
    Why America Loses Every War It Starts
    By Harlan K. Ullman
    NAVAL INSTITUTE PRESS | Publication date: 15 November, 2017
    History Military Strategy | 272 pp. | Hardcover & eBook | ISBN: 978-1-68247-225-5 | $29.95

    At bookstores, online
    or direct: In Canada: International:
    Customer Service SCHOLARLY BOOK SERVICE EUROSPAN GROUP
    NAVAL INSTITUTE PRESS 289 Bridgeland Ave., #105 3 Henrietta Street
    291 Wood Road Toronto, Ontario London WC2E 8LU
    Annapolis, MD 21402 Canada M6A 1Z6 United Kingdom
    800-233-8764/410-268-6110 800-847-9736 Tele: 1767 604972
    www.usni.org www.sbookscan.com www.eurospanbookstore.com

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