Making War, Thinking History: Munich, Vietnam, and Presidential Uses of Force from Korea to Kosovo [Hardcover]

Jeffrey Record (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1557500096 | ISBN-13: 978-1557500090

In examining the influence of historical analogies on decisions to use--or not use--force, military strategist Jeffrey Record assesses every major application of U.S. force from the Korean War to the NATO war on Serbia. Specifically, he looks at the influence of two analogies: the democracies? appeasement of Hitler at Munich and America's defeat in the Vietnam War. His book judges the utility of these two analogies on presidential decision-making and finds considerable misuse of them in situations where force was optional. He points to the Johnson administration's application of the Munich analogy to the circumstances of Southeast Asia in 1965 as the most egregious example of their misuse, but also cites the faulty reasoning by historical analogy that prevailed among critics of Reagan's policy in Central America and in Clinton's use of force in Haiti and the former Yugoslavia.

The author's findings show generational experience to be a key influence on presidential decision-making: Munich persuaded mid-twentieth-century presidents that force should be used early and decisively while Vietnam cautioned later presidents against using force at all. Both analogies were at work for the Gulf War, with Munich urging a decision for war and Vietnam warning against a graduated and highly restricted use of force. Record also reminds us of the times when presidents have used analogies to mobilize public support for action they have already decided to take. Addressing both the process of presidential decision-making and the wisdom of decisions made, this well-reasoned book offers timely lessons to a broad audience that includes political scientists, military historians, defense analysts, and policy makers, as well as those simply curious about history's influence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" ...superb studies of past civilian-military relationships in time of war and of the lessons that might be drawn." -- Los Angeles Times Book Review, November 24, 2002

"...a primer on the use of historical analogies involving decisions made by the President and his primary advisers." -- Marine Corps Gazette, June 2004

"...an excellent book for those interested in strategic-level military history and presidential decision making." -- Military Review, May-June 2003

"...an excellent guide to the impact and lingering influence of [Munich and Vietnam]." -- International Affairs, January 2004

"No other work provides this kind of synthesis of the impact of the past on the present." -- Choice, November 2002

"Record's central point--that wars must be understood on their own terms...--is eminently sensible and clearly put." -- Foreign Affairs, September/October 2002

From the Publisher

Choice, January 2003
Selected as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2002.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (January 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557500096
• ISBN-13: 978-1557500090
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,666,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very important read for leaders and citizens alike, April 3, 2003

By 

Andrew S. Rogers (Stamford, Connecticut) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Making War, Thinking History: Munich, Vietnam, and Presidential Uses of Force from Korea to Kosovo (Hardcover)

I don't know if Jeffrey Record had the then-impending, now underway, war against Iraq in mind when he wrote this important book, but I don't think he could have made this any more timely if he had. From politicians to talk radio, the metaphors of "appeasement" and "avoiding another Vietnam" loom large in the debate over Iraq. I would suggest that this title be made required reading for anyone who dares send those metaphors into battle.

Record argues that Munich and Vietnam have been the dominant historical memes in White Houses deciding whether or not to employ American power around the world. For better or worse, what various Presidents and their advisors have taken to be "the lessons of Munich" and/or "the lessons of Vietnam" have been important, sometimes deciding, factors. Not surprisingly, Record finds that those "lessons" have often been misinterpreted and mis-applied by our political leaders, many times with serious consequences.

While this book is especially useful for anyone in, or who fancies themselves someday being in, a position of political influence, Record's work is also valuable reading for the rest of us. That's because he also analyzes how those same historical memes have been used by Presidents and their spokesmen to justify particular courses of action to the American people. It's important that we be able to recognize when that's being done, and equipped to decide whether the metaphor is valid. This title is a very useful tool in that process.

Duff Cooper, a British politician and contemporary of Winston Churchill, once wrote that one of the problems with democracy is that too few democratic leaders read history. The corollary of that, Record might argue, is that even the ones who have read history are apt to misinterpret it, or color their interpretations to justify actions they have already decided are desirable. An attractive metaphor can exert powerful force on decision-makers. Few things are more seductive ... or potentially more dangerous. Jeffrey Record is to be commended for helping the reader see though the seductiveness and apply the cold light of logical thought.