Dereliction of Duty

Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam

By: H. R. McMaster

Narrated by: H. R. McMaster

"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 Publishers

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.

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.

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.

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.

everybody lied ...

under Lyndon Johnson (and predecessors. to a lesser extent) ...everybody lied about the Vietnam War

Great Read

Very insightful and thought provoking. Made it clear to me how the political aspirations of seniors in the government can truly impact why and how our military goes to war. Also clearly shows me how much military leadership has to focus on their military objectives an

Well written and researched

This was a very comprehensive, well written, and throughly researched book that tells the story of the political aspect of the war that rarely gets much attention.

Everything that a non-fiction historical work should be!

Sheds this some time to myth that a military man is not a scholar. This was a compelling story about an abject failure of civilian and military leader ship told in a straightforward style. General McMaster also did a wonderful job reading his work. This book should be required reading as it represents the greatest failure of a president in modern history. There are so many lessons for future leader ship in this book. Thank you General McMaster.

A Lesson for every American

Incredible research brings to light the awful decisions that created the tragedy of the Viet Nam war. Should be read by every military officer and DoD and State Department civilian.

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.