In 'The March of Folly,' Barbara W. Tuchman explores the perplexing phenomenon of human folly throughout history, showcasing how leaders repeatedly pursue self-destructive policies despite obvious alternatives. With captivating historical anecdotes, Tuchman examines case studies like the Trojan War, the rise of the American Revolution, and the Vietnam War, revealing patterns of irrational decision-making. She challenges readers to reflect on their own and society's choices, prompting intriguing questions about wisdom and folly. Tuchman's sharp analysis and engaging narrative style make this book both enlightening and thought-provoking. Will we ever learn from the past, or are we doomed to repeat it?
By Barbara W. Tuchman
Published: 1985
""The march of folly, the folly of pursuing a course of action contrary to one's best interests, is a recurring theme in history; it teaches us that the persistence of human error often outlasts the lessons learned from defeat.""
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Barbara W. Tuchman, author of the World War I masterpiece The Guns of August, grapples with her boldest subject: the pervasive presence, through the ages, of failure, mismanagement, and delusion in government. Drawing on a comprehensive array of examples, from Montezuma’s senseless surrender of his empire in 1520 to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Barbara W. Tuchman defines folly as the pursuit by government of policies contrary to their own interests, despite the availability of feasible alternatives. In brilliant detail, Tuchman illuminates four decisive turning points in history that illustrate the very heights of folly: the Trojan War, the breakup of the Holy See provoked by the Renaissance popes, the loss of the American colonies by Britain’s George III, and the United States’ own persistent mistakes in Vietnam. Throughout The March of Folly, Tuchman’s incomparable talent for animating the people, places, and events of history is on spectacular display. Praise for The March of Folly “A glittering narrative . . . a moral [book] on the crimes and follies of governments and the misfortunes the governed suffer in consequence.”—The New York Times Book Review “An admirable survey . . . I haven’t read a more relevant book in years.”—John Kenneth Galbraith, The Boston Sunday Globe “A superb chronicle . . . a masterly examination.”—Chicago Sun-Times
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“"The march of folly, the folly of pursuing a course of action contrary to one's best interests, is a recurring theme in history; it teaches us that the persistence of human error often outlasts the lessons learned from defeat."”
The March of Folly
By Barbara W. Tuchman
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Barbara W. Tuchman (1912-1989) was an acclaimed American historian and author, known for her engaging narrative style and deep analysis of historical events. She achieved widespread recognition for her notable works, including "The Guns of August," which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1963, and "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," which provides a vivid portrayal of the Middle Ages. Tuchman's writing is characterized by its scholarly rigor blended with a storyteller's flair, allowing her to bring historical events to life for a broad audience. Her ability to weave rich detail into the tapestry of history has made her one of the most celebrated historians of the 20th century.
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