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The Hell of Good Intentions
by Stephen M. Walt • 2018
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
4.01
735
The Hell of Good Intentions Summary
The Hell of Good Intentions 91%
After the Cold War, America tried to lead the world. It overreached, failed, and learned nothing.
by Stephen M. Walt 2018
4.01
735 ratings
Colossus
by Niall Ferguson • 2004
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
3.58
2k+
Colossus Summary
Colossus 90%
America has always been an empire. Refusing to admit it is the root of its failures.
by Niall Ferguson 2004
3.58
2k+ ratings
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age
by Peter Paret • 1943
From mercenary captains to nuclear strategists: the ideas and forces that rewrote war.
4.03
2k+
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age Summary
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age 89%
From mercenary captains to nuclear strategists: the ideas and forces that rewrote war.
by Peter Paret 1943
4.03
2k+ ratings
Nemesis
by Chalmers Johnson • 2007
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
4.07
968
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis 88%
Empire and democracy cannot coexist. America chose empire; the bill is coming due.
by Chalmers Johnson 2007
4.07
968 ratings
The Best and the Brightest
by David Halberstam • 1969
How Washington's most brilliant men led America into Vietnam, and could not stop themselves.
4.27
13k+
The Best and the Brightest Summary
The Best and the Brightest 88%
How Washington's most brilliant men led America into Vietnam, and could not stop themselves.
by David Halberstam 1969
4.27
13k+ ratings
Enough Already
by Scott Horton • 2021
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
4.61
699
Enough Already Summary
Enough Already 88%
9/11 was a trap, and the War on Terror was the overreaction al Qaeda had counted on.
by Scott Horton 2021
4.61
699 ratings
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence
by Norman F. Dixon • 1976
Why do generals from Crimea to Vietnam repeat the same mistakes? Authoritarianism.
3.95
814
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence Summary
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence 88%
Why do generals from Crimea to Vietnam repeat the same mistakes? Authoritarianism.
by Norman F. Dixon 1976
3.95
814 ratings
The Next 100 Years
by George Friedman • 2008
America doesn't need to win wars, just prevent rivals from rising. The next battlefield is orbital.
3.67
11k+
The Next 100 Years Summary
The Next 100 Years 88%
America doesn't need to win wars, just prevent rivals from rising. The next battlefield is orbital.
by George Friedman 2008
3.67
11k+ ratings
Strategy
by Lawrence Freedman • 2013
Strategy is not a plan: a battle of minds from chimpanzee coalitions to nuclear deterrence.
3.97
3k+
Strategy Summary
Strategy 88%
Strategy is not a plan: a battle of minds from chimpanzee coalitions to nuclear deterrence.
by Lawrence Freedman 2013
3.97
3k+ ratings
Clausewitz on Strategy
by Tiha von Ghyczy • 2001
Your real competition is the fog, friction, and chaos Clausewitz mapped two centuries ago.
4.05
109
Clausewitz on Strategy Summary
Clausewitz on Strategy 88%
Your real competition is the fog, friction, and chaos Clausewitz mapped two centuries ago.
by Tiha von Ghyczy 2001
4.05
109 ratings
On Grand Strategy
by John Lewis Gaddis • 2018
Great strategists don't pick sides. They hold opposing truths in each hand and act anyway.
3.75
5k+
On Grand Strategy Summary
On Grand Strategy 88%
Great strategists don't pick sides. They hold opposing truths in each hand and act anyway.
by John Lewis Gaddis 2018
3.75
5k+ ratings
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything
by Rosa Brooks • 2016
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
3.93
2k+
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything Summary
How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything 88%
War, law, and state fray together. A Pentagon insider on where the seams gave way.
by Rosa Brooks 2016
3.93
2k+ ratings
The Afghanistan Papers
by Craig Whitlock • 2021
Washington’s own postmortem: the war was unwinnable, and they hid the truth for twenty years.
4.25
7k+
The Afghanistan Papers Summary
The Afghanistan Papers 88%
Washington’s own postmortem: the war was unwinnable, and they hid the truth for twenty years.
by Craig Whitlock 2021
4.25
7k+ ratings
War and Change in World Politics
by Robert Gilpin • 1999
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
3.97
362
War and Change in World Politics Summary
War and Change in World Politics 88%
International order never lasts. Uneven growth among states eventually demands a reset by war.
by Robert Gilpin 1999
3.97
362 ratings
The March of Folly
by Barbara W. Tuchman • 1984
From Troy to Vietnam, power makes governments ignore the warnings right in front of them.
4.03
7k+
The March of Folly Summary
The March of Folly 88%
From Troy to Vietnam, power makes governments ignore the warnings right in front of them.
by Barbara W. Tuchman 1984
4.03
7k+ ratings
Fiasco
by Thomas E. Ricks • 2006
A year planning the invasion, zero for the peace: how ideology and hubris lost Iraq.
4.09
8k+
Fiasco Summary
Fiasco 88%
A year planning the invasion, zero for the peace: how ideology and hubris lost Iraq.
by Thomas E. Ricks 2006
4.09
8k+ ratings
Blowback
by Chalmers Johnson • 2000
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
4.06
3k+
Blowback Summary
Blowback 88%
Covert empire: why policies hidden from the American public keep producing violent retaliation.
by Chalmers Johnson 2000
4.06
3k+ ratings
Cobra II
by Michael R. Gordon • 2006
How the Pentagon fight over troop numbers toppled Saddam quickly and then lost the peace.
3.97
2k+
Cobra II Summary
Cobra II 88%
How the Pentagon fight over troop numbers toppled Saddam quickly and then lost the peace.
by Michael R. Gordon 2006
3.97
2k+ ratings
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2001
Why great powers cannot stop seeking dominance: anarchy rewards aggression and punishes restraint.
4.06
4k+
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics Summary
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics 88%
Why great powers cannot stop seeking dominance: anarchy rewards aggression and punishes restraint.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2001
4.06
4k+ ratings
Age of Danger
by Andrew R. Hoehn • 2023
Built for 1947, retooled for terrorism: America's defense system is blind to the threats now coming.
3.81
70
Age of Danger Summary
Age of Danger 88%
Built for 1947, retooled for terrorism: America's defense system is blind to the threats now coming.
by Andrew R. Hoehn 2023
3.81
70 ratings
The Next Decade
by George Friedman • 2011
America stumbled into empire. Holding it requires a playbook its founders would have despised.
3.84
2k+
The Next Decade Summary
The Next Decade 88%
America stumbled into empire. Holding it requires a playbook its founders would have despised.
by George Friedman 2011
3.84
2k+ ratings
The Strategy of Denial
by Elbridge A. Colby • 2021
China's plan: seize Taiwan before anyone can stop them. The defense: make the grab fail.
3.79
660
The Strategy of Denial Summary
The Strategy of Denial 88%
China's plan: seize Taiwan before anyone can stop them. The defense: make the grab fail.
by Elbridge A. Colby 2021
3.79
660 ratings
The Management of Savagery
by Max Blumenthal • 2019
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
4.29
807
The Management of Savagery Summary
The Management of Savagery 88%
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Trump: three products of the same American national security machine.
by Max Blumenthal 2019
4.29
807 ratings
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
by John J. Mearsheimer • 2006
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
4.12
4k+
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Summary
The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy 88%
How a single interest group has reshaped U.S. Middle East policy, often against American interests.
by John J. Mearsheimer 2006
4.12
4k+ ratings
Perception and Misperception in International Politics
by Robert Jervis • 1976
The reason states stumble into war is not malice, but a pattern of predictable misperceptions.
4.17
417
Perception and Misperception in International Politics Summary
Perception and Misperception in International Politics 88%
The reason states stumble into war is not malice, but a pattern of predictable misperceptions.
by Robert Jervis 1976
4.17
417 ratings
Drift
by Rachel Maddow • 2012
No grand conspiracy drove America to endless war. A series of small, reversible decisions did.
4.07
21k+
Drift Summary
Drift 88%
No grand conspiracy drove America to endless war. A series of small, reversible decisions did.
by Rachel Maddow 2012
4.07
21k+ ratings
Strategy without Design
by Robert C.H. Chia • 2009
Planned strategy destroys itself. Wins that last emerge from everyday coping, not grand designs.
4.50
12
Strategy without Design Summary
Strategy without Design 87%
Planned strategy destroys itself. Wins that last emerge from everyday coping, not grand designs.
by Robert C.H. Chia 2009
4.50
12 ratings
The Unquiet Frontier
by Jakub J. Grygiel • 2016
Abandoning allies does not bring safety; it invites tests that slowly unravel American power.
4.01
87
The Unquiet Frontier Summary
The Unquiet Frontier 87%
Abandoning allies does not bring safety; it invites tests that slowly unravel American power.
by Jakub J. Grygiel 2016
4.01
87 ratings
The Return of Marco Polo's World
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2018
Liberal order collapsed. Eurasia fused into one war-prone corridor, and America is an island.
3.79
848
The Return of Marco Polo's World Summary
The Return of Marco Polo's World 87%
Liberal order collapsed. Eurasia fused into one war-prone corridor, and America is an island.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2018
3.79
848 ratings
The New Rules of War
by Sean McFate • 2019
An ex-mercenary on why the West keeps losing: the game changed, and nobody noticed.
3.96
2k+
The New Rules of War Summary
The New Rules of War 87%
An ex-mercenary on why the West keeps losing: the game changed, and nobody noticed.
by Sean McFate 2019
3.96
2k+ ratings
McNamara at War
by Philip Taubman • 2025
By 1965, McNamara's data proved Vietnam unwinnable. Why he kept fighting for three more years.
4.18
528
McNamara at War Summary
McNamara at War 87%
By 1965, McNamara's data proved Vietnam unwinnable. Why he kept fighting for three more years.
by Philip Taubman 2025
4.18
528 ratings
The Accidental Admiral
by James G. Stavridis • 2014
What a Navy admiral learned commanding NATO through Afghanistan, Libya, and a balky Russia.
4.00
248
The Accidental Admiral Summary
The Accidental Admiral 87%
What a Navy admiral learned commanding NATO through Afghanistan, Libya, and a balky Russia.
by James G. Stavridis 2014
4.00
248 ratings
Ghost Wars
by Steve Coll • 2004
The CIA's Afghan victory armed the men who attacked America on 9/11.
4.32
19k+
Ghost Wars Summary
Ghost Wars 87%
The CIA's Afghan victory armed the men who attacked America on 9/11.
by Steve Coll 2004
4.32
19k+ ratings
The 36 Strategies of the Martial Arts
by Hiroshi Moriya • 2008
Victory without combat: how ancient Chinese deception tactics let you win before the fight starts.
3.76
124
The 36 Strategies of the Martial Arts Summary
The 36 Strategies of the Martial Arts 87%
Victory without combat: how ancient Chinese deception tactics let you win before the fight starts.
by Hiroshi Moriya 2008
3.76
124 ratings
If Russia Wins
by Carlo Masala • 2025
Ukraine falls, then Russia probes NATO's border. The alliance cracks, and Article 5 goes unused.
3.94
4k+
If Russia Wins Summary
If Russia Wins 87%
Ukraine falls, then Russia probes NATO's border. The alliance cracks, and Article 5 goes unused.
by Carlo Masala 2025
3.94
4k+ ratings
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters
by Jared Knott • 2020
History turns on unopened letters, wrong turns, and badly designed ballots, not grand strategy.
4.01
2k+
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters Summary
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters 87%
History turns on unopened letters, wrong turns, and badly designed ballots, not grand strategy.
by Jared Knott 2020
4.01
2k+ ratings
Napoleon on Project Management
by Jerry Manas • 2006
Napoleon's battle tested rules for leading projects: speed, simplicity, and knowing when to quit.
3.66
93
Napoleon on Project Management Summary
Napoleon on Project Management 87%
Napoleon's battle tested rules for leading projects: speed, simplicity, and knowing when to quit.
by Jerry Manas 2006
3.66
93 ratings
A New Foreign Policy
by Jeffrey D. Sachs • 2018
The world became multipolar. America didn't notice. Here is the cost and the way out.
3.88
337
A New Foreign Policy Summary
A New Foreign Policy 87%
The world became multipolar. America didn't notice. Here is the cost and the way out.
by Jeffrey D. Sachs 2018
3.88
337 ratings
Power, Terror, Peace, and War
by Walter Russell Mead • 2004
America's soft power will not recover via Hollywood, but via microfinance in Khayelitsa.
3.67
108
Power, Terror, Peace, and War Summary
Power, Terror, Peace, and War 87%
America's soft power will not recover via Hollywood, but via microfinance in Khayelitsa.
by Walter Russell Mead 2004
3.67
108 ratings
The Melting Point
by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. • 2024
The general who killed Soleimani tells the inside story of America's Middle East wars.
4.30
175
The Melting Point Summary
The Melting Point 87%
The general who killed Soleimani tells the inside story of America's Middle East wars.
by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. 2024
4.30
175 ratings
Waste Land
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2025
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
3.60
972
Waste Land Summary
Waste Land 87%
When crises travel instantly but solutions stall at borders, we get one unending emergency.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2025
3.60
972 ratings
Risk
by Stanley McChrystal • 2021
In 1983, one man's doubt stopped a nuclear war. The lesson for your organization's risk systems.
3.64
799
Risk Summary
Risk 87%
In 1983, one man's doubt stopped a nuclear war. The lesson for your organization's risk systems.
by Stanley McChrystal 2021
3.64
799 ratings
The Future of Geography
by Tim Marshall • 2023
Space is the new geography of power: every conflict below is replicating in orbit.
3.91
8k+
The Future of Geography Summary
The Future of Geography 87%
Space is the new geography of power: every conflict below is replicating in orbit.
by Tim Marshall 2023
3.91
8k+ ratings
Red Team
by Micah Zenko • 2015
Your blind spots are invisible to you. The fix: a team paid to think like the enemy.
3.74
560
Red Team Summary
Red Team 87%
Your blind spots are invisible to you. The fix: a team paid to think like the enemy.
by Micah Zenko 2015
3.74
560 ratings
Certain to Win
by Chet Richards • 2004
Speed of decision, not budget, wins: a fighter pilot's framework for outmaneuvering larger rivals.
4.13
671
Certain to Win Summary
Certain to Win 87%
Speed of decision, not budget, wins: a fighter pilot's framework for outmaneuvering larger rivals.
by Chet Richards 2004
4.13
671 ratings
The 33 Strategies Of War
by Robert Greene • 2001
Treat life like a military campaign: 33 strategies to outmaneuver rivals and control every outcome.
4.23
20k+
The 33 Strategies Of War Summary
The 33 Strategies Of War 87%
Treat life like a military campaign: 33 strategies to outmaneuver rivals and control every outcome.
by Robert Greene 2001
4.23
20k+ ratings
Decline and Fall
by John Michael Greer • 2014
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
4.29
156
Decline and Fall Summary
Decline and Fall 87%
Empires are wealth pumps. America's runs on oil, nearly dry. The collapse cycle is inevitable.
by John Michael Greer 2014
4.29
156 ratings
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In
by Ted Rall • 2002
The War on Terror was never justice; it was a 50-billion-barrel pipeline through Afghanistan.
3.58
170
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In Summary
By Peter B. Evans - Bringing the State Back In 87%
The War on Terror was never justice; it was a 50-billion-barrel pipeline through Afghanistan.
by Ted Rall 2002
3.58
170 ratings
The Handbook of 5GW
by Daniel H. Abbott • 2010
War is no longer about bullets. It is a silent, invisible struggle for your perception.
4.09
23
The Handbook of 5GW Summary
The Handbook of 5GW 87%
War is no longer about bullets. It is a silent, invisible struggle for your perception.
by Daniel H. Abbott 2010
4.09
23 ratings
The Revenge of Geography
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2012
Three dead geographers predicted today's conflicts. Their maps show what comes next.
3.79
6k+
The Revenge of Geography Summary
The Revenge of Geography 87%
Three dead geographers predicted today's conflicts. Their maps show what comes next.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2012
3.79
6k+ ratings
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