Overview

Since the end of World War II, America lost every war it started and failed in military interventions when it did not use sound strategic thinking or have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstances in deciding to use force. The public and politicians need to understand why we have often failed in using military force and the causes. From that understanding, hopefully future administrations will be better prepared when considering the most vexing decision to employ force and send Americans into battle. The twin causes have been the failure to think strategically and to have sufficient knowledge and understanding when deciding on the use of force. Interestingly, this failure applies to republicans and democrats alike and seems inherent in our national DNA as we continue ignore past mistakes. By examining the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama in using force or starting wars, it becomes self-evident why we fail. And the argument is reinforced by autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history. The recommendations and solutions offered in Anatomy of Failure begin with a framework for a brains based approach to strategic thinking and then address specific bureaucratic, political, organizational and cultural deficiencies have reinforced this propensity for failure. The clarion call of the book is that both a sound strategic framework and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.

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9781682472255

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Anatomy of Failure powerfully and provocatively documents America's repeated martial failures [...] his book is an important corrective to the American triumphalism that continues to dominate US political discourse. - Survival, 61.1 (2019) This book should be read by all practitioners and serious students of national security as the guide for avoiding failures and miscalculations in using American military power. - Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-93) and 65th Secretary of State Ullman's rigorous intellectual process is a meaningful contribution to the national dialogue. Every question he asks is one that should be asked and answered, however imperfectly, before our country jumps in or backs in to another military intervention, especially in an increasingly complex world of non-state actors, shifting alliances, and emerging power centers. - John F. Kerry, 68th Secretary of State Harlan Ullman's latest book is one of the most insightful assessments of modern U.S. military history. I highly recommend this book to presidents, policymakers, and the public alike as it recalls the lessons from our nation's cautionary tales and guides us toward a safer, more peaceful future. - Gen. James L. Jones Jr., USMC (Ret)., former Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and National Security Advisor America's military remains the finest in the world. Yet, our warfighting successes may not be in keeping with our military's preponderant superiority. In Anatomy of Failure, Harlan Ullman draws upon years of inimitable insight and access to succinctly explain why: the faults lie not in the Pentagon but in the White House. This contentious and stimulating book offers an important perspective and should be on the must-read list of elected officials on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. - Mary Beth Long, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and chair of NATO's High Level Group Anatomy of Failure is part Clausewitz, part Tom Clancy, with personal insights by its hugely experienced author that brilliantly translate why the United States, the most powerful nation on earth, has so often fallen short of its objectives. - Lord Michael Dobbs, creator of the series House of Cards Unlike many books, this one is highly prescriptive in its innovative and intellectually rich recommendations to avoid future failures. As the world comes to grips with the increasing threat of terrorism with global reach, Anatomy of Failure should be the textbook for governments and publics to defeat this new and highly contagious danger. - Shaukat Aziz, former prime minister of Pakistan and finance minister of Pakistan The book's outstanding feature is its inclusion of dialogues among the author and presidents and members of the foreign-policy complex. Ullman is not afraid to mince words; he offers well-researched assessments that discomfort cliche-spouting authorities. - Foreward ....Any and all leaders and students of national security will greatly benefit from this book. - David Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux Anatomy of Failure is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of U.S. leadership. - The Huffington Post Hopefully, by writing such a challenging and truth to power book as Anatomy of Failure, Harlan Ullman will influence the way our national leaders approach the possibility of further armed conflict overseas - Task and Purpose Ullman's thesis can be boiled down to one phrase: too much muscle; not enough thinking. He recommends a brains-based approach. That would be a good place to start. Intelligent volunteers should begin by reading his book. - Financial Times The author, an apparently well-connected academic, commentator and former American naval officer - he commanded 'Swift Boats' in Vietnam alongside former Secretary of State John Kerry - presents a depressing but very realistic analysis of America's post World War II military history. - Ausmarine Anatomy of Failure is imbued with the wisdom that comes with hindsight of an engaged scholar-statesman-warrior and provides a thought-provoking alternative to the seemingly patchwork approach when placing the U.S. Armed Forces in harm's way. - Military Review [A]n exemplary review of the decision making process used by successive U.S. administrations beginning with the Vietnam War. Deeply personal while simultaneously broad in scope and concise in narrative, this sidelong eyewitness insight into national decision making is a must read for anyone interested or participating in the grand strategy of statecraft. - On Point: The Journal of Army History

[Anatomy of Failure] should be read together with the recently released ... Why Vietnam Matters by Rufus Phillips --Baird Maritime [A]ny and all leaders and students of national security will benefit greatly from this book. Indeed, to reinforce the recommendation of Messrs, Powell, Kerry, and Jones, read this book! And, as Lord Dobbs adds, this is a very good and intriguing read as well. --Naval War College Clearly, the debate over how America should conduct itself on the world stage is far from over. Those seeking to understand the many sides of that debate would do well to peruse the meditations of Kaplan, Abrams and Ullman. --The National Interest This is an extremely important book and should be core reading for all those working in defence and security and making and taking the decisions necessary to guide our nations through this period of radical uncertainty. --The NAVY Magazine, Australia Ullman's thesis can be boiled down to one phrase: too much muscle; not enough thinking. He recommends a 'brains-based' approach. That would be a good place to start. Intelligent volunteers should begin by reading his book. --Financial Times The book's outstanding feature is its inclusion of dialogues among the author and presidents and members of the foreign-policy complex. Ullman is not afraid to mince words; he offers well-researched assessments that discomfort clich -spouting authorities. - Foreward Anatomy of Failure is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of U.S. leadership. --The Huffington Post When former Secretaries of State General Colin Powell and John Kerry and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Marine General Jim Jones... call Harlan Ullman's Anatomy of Failure a must read, people should pay attention. And for those who worry about policy books being boring, in another blurb, House of Cards creator Lord Michael Dobbs deems Anatomy a combination of best selling thriller novelist Tom Clancy and Karl von Clausewitz. All are correct. --General The Lord Richards Harlan Ullman's latest book is one of the most insightful assessments of modern U.S. military history. I highly recommend this book to presidents, policymakers, and the public alike as it recalls the lessons from our nation's cautionary tales and guides us toward a safer, more peaceful future. --Gen. James L. Jones Jr., USMC (Ret)., former Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and National Security Advisor --Foreword Reviews Reviewers' Choice: Favorite Books of 2017 In calling attention to a significant issue that US leaders and the American public need to face much more squarely, Anatomy of Failure makes a meaningful contribution to an important national discussion. --Modern War Institute at West Point Ullman's 'brains-based approach' to warfare might not be adopted, but it poses questions that political and military leaders advocating future operations will need to answer. With Anatomy of Failure on their bookshelves, they will have been warned that if they neglect to scrutinize intelligence, analyze the enemy and identify aims, they may start yet another war that America is destined to lose. --Asian Affairs America's military remains the finest in the world. Yet, our warfighting successes may not be in keeping with our military's preponderant superiority. In Anatomy of Failure, Harlan Ullman draws upon years of inimitable insight and access to succinctly explain why: the faults lie not in the Pentagon but in the White House. This contentious and stimulating book offers an important perspective and should be on the must-read list of elected officials on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. --Mary Beth Long, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and chair of NATO's High Level Group From the day he put on the uniform of the United States Navy through the present, Harlan Ullman has spent a lifetime living, making, and evaluating America's national security policy with a critical eye and an insightful mind. It's taught him to ask tough, provocative questions, even unpopular questions, and whether you agree or disagree with all of his conclusions, there's no denying that his rigorous intellectual process is a meaningful contribution to the national dialogue. Every question he asks is one that should be asked and answered, however imperfectly, before our country jumps in or backs in to another military intervention, especially in an increasingly complex world of non-state actors, shifting alliances and emerging power centers. -- John F. Kerry, 68th Secretary of State Harlan Ullman's Anatomy of Failure is a tour d'force and a must read not only for senior politicians and government officials. All concerned citizens worried about their future safety and security and what should be done to protect both need to learn from this brilliant book. Using America an example for why nations lose wars and fail in using military force, Dr. Ullman identifies two fundamental reasons that explain why. In every case of failure, the U.S. and other nations did not exercise sound strategic thinking and judgment. Second was the failure to understand fully the situations in which force was being used and the lack of knowledge to inform good judgment. Unlike many books, this one is highly prescriptive in its innovative and intellectually rich recommendations to avoid future failures. As the world comes to grips with the increasing threat of terrorism with global reach, Anatomy for Failure should be the textbook for governments and publics in defeat this new and highly contagious danger. -- Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Finance Minister of Pakistan

From the day he put on the uniform of the United States Navy through the present, Harlan Ullman has spent a lifetime living, making, and evaluating America's national security policy with a critical eye and an insightful mind. It's taught him to ask tough, provocative questions, even unpopular questions, and whether you agree or disagree with all of his conclusions, there's no denying that his rigorous intellectual process is a meaningful contribution to the national dialogue. Every question he asks is one that should be asked and answered, however imperfectly, before our country jumps in or backs in to another military intervention, especially in an increasingly complex world of non-state actors, shifting alliances and emerging power centers. -- John F. Kerry, 68th Secretary of State �Harlan Ullman's Anatomy of Failure is a tour d'force and a must read not only for senior politicians and government officials. All concerned citizens worried about their future safety and security and what should be done to protect both need to learn from this brilliant book. Using America an example for why nations lose wars and fail in using military force, Dr. Ullman identifies two fundamental reasons that explain why. In every case of failure, the U.S. and other nations did not exercise sound strategic thinking and judgment. Second was the failure to understand fully the situations in which force was being used and the lack of knowledge to inform good judgment. Unlike many books, this one is highly prescriptive in its innovative and intellectually rich recommendations to avoid future failures. As the world comes to grips with the increasing threat of terrorism with global reach, Anatomy for Failure should be the textbook for governments and publics in defeat this new and highly contagious danger.� � Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Finance Minister of Pakistan Harlan Ullman's Anatomy of Failure is a tour d'force and a must read not only for senior politicians and government officials. All concerned citizens worried about their future safety and security and what should be done to protect both need to learn from this brilliant book. Using America an example for why nations lose wars and fail in using military force, Dr. Ullman identifies two fundamental reasons that explain why. In every case of failure, the U.S. and other nations did not exercise sound strategic thinking and judgment. Second was the failure to understand fully the situations in which force was being used and the lack of knowledge to inform good judgment. Unlike many books, this one is highly prescriptive in its innovative and intellectually rich recommendations to avoid future failures. As the world comes to grips with the increasing threat of terrorism with global reach, Anatomy for Failure should be the textbook for governments and publics in defeat this new and highly contagious danger. -- Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Finance Minister of Pakistan

Author Information

Harlan K. Ullman is a strategic thinker and innovator whose career spans the worlds of business and government. Chairman of several companies and an advisor to the heads of major corporations and governments, he was the principal author of Shock and Awe. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served in combat in assignments in Vietnam. He holds an MA, MALD, and PhD from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and lives in Washington, D.C.

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