On the Psychology of Military Incompetence by Norman F. Dixon (English) Paperbac

Description: On the Psychology of Military Incompetence by Norman F. Dixon The Crimea, the Boer War, the Somme, Tobruk, Pearl Harbor, the Bay of Pigs: these are just some of the milestones in a century of military incompetence, of costly mishaps and tragic blunders. Are these simple accidents--as the "bloody fool" theory has it--or are they inevitable? The psychologist Norman F. Dixon argues that there is a pattern to inept generalship, and locates this pattern within the very act of creating armies in the first place, which in his view produces a levelling down of human capability that encourages the mediocre and limits the gifted. In this light, successful generals achieve what they do despite the stultifying features of the organization to which they belong. A classic study of military leadership, On the Psychology of Military Incompetence is at once an original exploration of the battles that have defined the last two centuries of human civilization and an essential guide for the next generation of military leaders. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Dr. Norman F. Dixon, M.B.E., Fellow of the British Psychological Society, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at University College London. After ten years commission in the Royal Engineers, during which time he was wounded ("largely through my own incompetence"), Dixon left the Army in 1950 and entered university where he obtained a first-class degree in Psychology. He received the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in 1956 and Doctor of Science in 1972, and in 1974 was awarded the University of London Carpenter Medal for work of exceptional distinction in Experimental Psychology. Table of Contents 1. Introduction PART ONE 2. Generalship 3. The Crimean War 4. The Boer War 5. Indian Interlude 6. The First World War 7. Cambrai 8. The Siege of Kut 9. Between the Wars 10. The Second World War 11. Singapore 12. Arnhem PART TWO 13. Is There a Case to Answer? 14. The Intellectual Ability of Senior Military Commanders 15. Military Organizations 16. Bullshit 17. Socialization and the Anal Character 18. Character and Honour 19. Anti-Effeminacy 20. Leaders of Men 21. Military Achievement 22. Authoritarianism 23. Mothers of Incompetence 24. Education and the Cult of Muscular Christianity PART THREE 25. Individual Differences 26. Extremes of Authoritarianism 27. The Worst and the Best 28. Exceptions to the Rule? 29. Retreat Review "One does not have to share all, or even most, of Dixons often rebarbative views to agree that this penetrating, self-knowing, often hilarious, and sometimes alarming book is a must-read. It is a classic of military history awaiting rediscovery today." --Brendan Simms, author of Europe: The Struggle for Supremacy "An original, scientifically impressive and fascinating book ... a minor classic." --Tablet "An absorbing, perceptive and often very funny study in human frailty." --Listener "It should be compulsory reading wherever future officers are selected or trained, and deserves a very wide readership among psychologists and laymen." --New Society "An intelligent mans guide to the defects of the military mind... Its conclusions are incontrovertible." --Books and Bookmen Review Quote Praise for On the Psychology of Military Incompetence "One does not have to share all, or even most, of Dixons often rebarbative views to agree that this penetrating, self-knowing, often hilarious, and sometimes alarming book is a must-read. It is a classic of military history awaiting rediscovery today." --Brendan Simms, author of Europe: The Struggle for Supremacy "An original, scientifically impressive and fascinating book . . . a minor classic." -- Tablet "An absorbing, perceptive and often very funny study in human frailty." -- Listener "It should be compulsory reading wherever future officers are selected or trained, and deserves a very wide readership among psychologists and laymen." -- New Society "An intelligent mans guide to the defects of the military mind... Its conclusions are incontrovertible." -- Books and Bookmen Details ISBN0465097804 Author Norman F. Dixon Short Title ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MILITARY Publisher Basic Books Language English ISBN-10 0465097804 ISBN-13 9780465097807 Media Book Format Paperback Pages 528 Year 2016 Publication Date 2016-05-31 Imprint Basic Books Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2016-05-31 NZ Release Date 2016-05-31 US Release Date 2016-05-31 UK Release Date 2016-05-31 DEWEY 355.331 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:98051519;

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