Thoughtful ... Without absolving McNamara, the Taubmans suggest that his willingness to admit error was worthy of admiration, if only for its rarity. Reading this book as the Trump administration elevates jingoism to a virtue, it is hard to disagree.
A remarkable collaboration ... An engaging and deeply insightful biography of the 20th century’s most controversial secretary of defense ... The Taubmans...write authoritatively but not ostentatiously ... Offers a timely reminder of the potent power wielded by ambition, psychology, and rapport—often at the expense of principle and humanity.
Precise ... A good book for studying the conflict in Vietnam and the development of the political-industrial complex and presidential politics; recommend to fans of historical biographies.
Melodramatic ... The Taubmans’ psychologizing of McNamara is heavy-handed ... The narrative is more revealing when focusing on prosaic factors—like that arguing more forcefully against the war would probably have gotten McNamara fired. McNamara’s spiritual ordeal, despite the authors’ efforts, never comes off as more than a sideshow to the Vietnam tragedy.