In 'The Best and the Brightest', David Halberstam delves into the origins of the Vietnam War and the influential policymakers who orchestrated America's involvement. Through incisive character studies, he reveals how intelligence and ambition can lead to monumental misjudgments. The narrative explores the intersection of brilliance and folly, shedding light on the complexities of decision-making in a time of crisis. Halberstam's gripping storytelling draws readers into a world where the best intentions gave rise to catastrophic consequences. This book challenges us to reflect on the price of leadership and the true meaning of being 'the best'.
By David Halberstam
Published: 1993
"The tragedy of the best and the brightest is that their brilliance often blinds them to the consequences of their decisions."
David Halberstam’s masterpiece, the defining history of the making of the Vietnam tragedy, with a new Foreword by Senator John McCain. "A rich, entertaining, and profound reading experience.”—The New York Times Using portraits of America’s flawed policy makers and accounts of the forces that drove them, The Best and the Brightest reckons magnificently with the most important abiding question of our country’s recent history: Why did America become mired in Vietnam, and why did we lose? As the definitive single-volume answer to that question, this enthralling book has never been superseded. It is an American classic. Praise for The Best and the Brightest “The most comprehensive saga of how America became involved in Vietnam. . . . It is also the Iliad of the American empire and the Odyssey of this nation’s search for its idealistic soul. The Best and the Brightest is almost like watching an Alfred Hitchcock thriller.”—The Boston Globe “Deeply moving . . . We cannot help but feel the compelling power of this narrative. . . . Dramatic and tragic, a chain of events overwhelming in their force, a distant war embodying illusions and myths, terror and violence, confusions and courage, blindness, pride, and arrogance.”—Los Angeles Times “A fascinating tale of folly and self-deception . . . [An] absorbing, detailed, and devastatingly caustic tale of Washington in the days of the Caesars.”—The Washington Post Book World “Seductively readable . . . It is a staggeringly ambitious undertaking that is fully matched by Halberstam’s performance. . . . This is in all ways an admirable and necessary book.”—Newsweek “A story every American should read.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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“The tragedy of the best and the brightest is that their brilliance often blinds them to the consequences of their decisions.”
The Best and the Brightest
By David Halberstam
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
David Halberstam was an acclaimed American author and journalist known for his incisive commentary on politics, sports, and societal issues. His notable works include 'The Best and the Brightest,' a critical examination of American involvement in Vietnam, and 'The Next Century,' which explores the implications of global change. Halberstam's writing style was characterized by thorough research, vivid storytelling, and a compelling narrative structure, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and accolades, solidifying his legacy as a prominent voice in American literature and journalism.
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