The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam Paperback – February 12, 1985

I got this copy so I could reread the book in light of current events (i.e., Ukraine invasion). But I have had a lot of trouble reading it because the type is set so very small. Like maybe 8 pt. You'll need good eyes or a good set of reading glasses and a strong light to read it. Wish I'd known before I bought it.

This is my second Barbara Tuchman book and I would say that I love this woman. Her style traces an exact meridian line between intelligence and lucidity. She moves along it without missing, never, what she wants to convey. She's dead, unfortunately, but through her books she is still alive. And in my modest view, she will still survive many generations.Why?Because the topics she addresses are timeless and are always here with us. After finishing this book I thought if there will be a day when our rulers do their work accordingly. I guess not. To make mistakes is part of the game. Nobody is free because human race is not an exception in animal kingdom and so is open to make mistakes. We screw things up. And we don't feel sorry.What do we need to do the right thing? Intelligence? No. Academic studies? No.Compassion perhaps. And Courage to bring it to its limits. As you read the book you think if there are examples of savvy and healthy political programs that save the world from our senselessness. I guess there are. But how to notice it. How to record things that goes beyond any record because they never happened. The guy who didn't die because there were not bombardment, doesn't know he is alive because someone didn't give an order to shatter his world.Miss Tuchman doesn't addresses that issue, anyway; instead she displays in front of you the cruel inventory of the unnecessary deaths that the wrong answer, even of highly sophisticated governments, determined. She tells you how the wrong answer was full of good suggestions that could avoid the final output. In every case there was a chance of doing the right thing, I mean, before the facts. And in every case, the authority did the wrong thing.From Troy to Vietnam has always been the same thing, so I would add to the title "From Troy to Vietnam... and beyond."We live in a world ruled by governments that think not like rulers but like householders. Not much more. Politics at the highest level, Tuchman reminds us, is not more sophisticated than you could conceive. We are always the head of a family that believe that being the head of a nation give us special powers to solve problems. And it is not like that. The method for making ends meet is only one whether you are in the living room of your house or in the hall of a palace addressing a speech.Just think about it.Now, while I'm going to read "A distant mirror," you should try "The March..."You won't feel cheated, at all.

This book provides an excellent analysis of several historical events that demonstrate just how we delude ourselves into actions that result in consequences contrary to our own interest. Professor Mark Stoler (University of Vermont)in his course: A Skeptic's Guide to American History, points attention to "unintended consequences" and it is the consequence we focus on, not the intent. Mrs. Tuchman takes us back to the intent and, in effect demonstrates Professor Stoler's point. Also, while the professor states history does not repeat itself, Mrs. Tuchman clearly demonstrates that folly does. In one example, she shows how the English folly that cost them America was repeated by America in Viet Nam.Mrs. Tuchman chose four examples in history that met her definition of folly which she defines clearly in the first chapter. Each example spans many years and crosses multiple political and philosophical lines. From these examples the reader can apply the principles to understanding other historical events or even recognizing folly in our own day - if we can get past the fog of rhetoric that obscures our view and the noise of the crowd that prevents us from hearing the signals. For those of us old enough to remember, Mrs. Tuchman points out about the early stages of Viet Nam (in 1954): "The American government reacted not to the Chinese upheaval or to Vietnamese nationalism per se, but to intimidation by the rabid right (McCarthyism) at home and to the public dread of Communism that this played on and reflected."I have given this book 4 stars instead of 5 for two reasons. First, it is a bit dry to read at times and that makes for slow going on a very interesting topic. Second, I did not think that the inclusion of the section on the Trojan war contributed anything to the over-all point. For my taste it relies too much on legend and fantasy. I believe that history is repleat with other examples of folly - although perhaps not so long to describe - that would have supported the argument just as well.All and all this is a very good book that I recommend highly to all who have an interest in history.

I bought this book in the Kindle version after it was referenced in an article by William Hague. Not at all what I was expecting. I'm not really clear what was going on with the introduction that seemed more like an executive summary of the book. After a bit about Troy that was rather an average read there seems to be a never-ending discussion of the venality, greed and nepotism of the Renaissance popes. I was looking for more clear-cut, well defined examples of behaviours=>specific situation=>wrong decision arising from previously described behaviour=>calamitous consequence. A good pattern for this sort of book would be 'Hubris' by Alistair Horne, an excellent book. Frankly I just became bored - going round and round the various characters misbehaving in and around the renaissance papacy just became the same thing with different characters and I gave up reading this book 21% of the way through. If this was the style of the book I couldn't be bothered to see what might be in further chapters.

The insight that Barbara Tuchmann reveals is enlightening. Behind these follies is pride. The British regarding the colonies (that became the United States of America) and the Americans regarding Vietnam both were arrogant and proud.....and blind. Read it, it's fascinating....and true!

So much information, found it quite hard going. I dont think I'll remember more than a tiny proportion of it unfortunately. Overall very interesting (and relevant) stories from the past that the World's leaders will most certainly never learn from.

Interesting account of the various forms of folly affecting decision makers in a selection of historical scenarios from the Renaissance Papacy to the Vietnam War. Not at times an easy read but it is I formative and clearly well researched. If nothing else I now have a better understanding of the American War of Independence.

When Barbara Tuchman writes about a subject, she really delves deeply. I skimmed through this at first and then settled down to read each chapter. Absolutely brilliant. This is a book I'll read again and again.