Overview

A Risk Too Far examines the errors made in the planning of Operation Market Garden to understand the psychology of why and how military failures occur. Why were errors made in the planning of Operation Market Garden? Why do Military operations fail? To answer these questions, A Risk Too Far examines the psychology behind the military failure at Arnhem. Highlighting the situational pressures faced by key decision-makers the book focuses on the errors made at different levels of command during the planning of the operation. It explores how Field Marshal Montgomery’s difficult personality led him to make the wrong strategic choice and discusses how Lieutenant-General Browning’s motivation drove him to push the operation through. It also outlines how Major-General Urquhart’s previous experience led to limitations in his planning. A Risk Too Far also explains the coping strategies adopted by each officer to deal with the difficult situation they faced and details the cognitive biases that underpinned planning errors. Finally, in each case, A Risk Too Far applies Structured Analytical Techniques to explore how events may have unfolded differently If you are interested in understanding the psychology of why and how military failures occur, then this is the book for you.

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9781912440771

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Reviews

‘‘I’m sorry – we can’t accept your surrender as we haven’t the proper facilities.’’ One of the most defiantly British moments of the story of The Bridge Too Far was intensely psychological: inverting the German request that the British give up with an apology for not accepting a German surrender. Here, for the first time, Gary Buck gives us a unique insight into the entire psychological aspects of that intense struggle at Arnhem: it makes for compelling, and disturbing, reading for those who must decide between boldness and caution, risk and confidence, or cold analysis and imperfect human instincts.   Dr Rob Johnson, University of Oxford   A captivating and authoritative reappraisal of one of WWII’s most audacious, yet controversial operations. In A Risk Too Far, Gary Buck delivers a meticulously researched and psychologically astute study of the leadership behind Operation Market Garden. By delving into the minds of those at the highest levels of command, Buck illuminates the pressures and motivations that shaped this infamous campaign. This is essential reading - not just for military historians, but for anyone seeking to understand human psychology at the limits of our capabilities. Lt Col (Retd.) Langley Sharp MBE, author of The Habit of Excellence: Why British Army Leadership Works For those interested in Operation MARKET-GARDEN who feel, despite reading many of the numerous works on the battle, that they still do not fully understand why it went awry, then Gary Buck’s novel new work may well be just what they are looking for. Buck’s fascinating analysis explores the hitherto neglected psychological aspects of the planning process for MARKET-GARDEN. Buck skilfully blends the use of well-known psychological models and concepts with more traditional military history approaches to analyse the factors that influenced the decision-making of Generals Montgomery, Browning and Urquhart.  Taken as a whole, Buck’s impressive and innovative blended analysis represents a significant new contribution to the historiography of this highly controversial military operation. Dr Stephen A. Hart, FRHistS, Senior Lecturer, The Department of War Studies, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK.

Author Information

Dr Buck is an Operational Psychologist with an interest in military history and decision-making.  His academic interests combine postgraduate qualifications in Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History, and a PhD in Applied Psychology. His PhD thesis examined the psychological factors involved in the management of crisis situations and historical military disasters.  He is a (currently serving) reservist officer, Gary has served in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq.

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