First published 1981
America's defense establishment faces a crisis of effectiveness and affordability. James Fallows dissects the nation's military policies through detailed case studies and concrete examples. He examines weapons procurement, strategic planning, and budget allocation across all branches of the armed forces. Fallows argues that current defense spending produces neither reliable security nor good value for taxpayers. He identifies specific problems in how the Pentagon develops, purchases, and deploys military technology. The book presents a framework for restructuring defense priorities to create a more effective and economical military. Fallows offers readers a clear-eyed assessment of what works and what fails in American defense policy, along with practical recommendations for building a stronger national security apparatus.
Genres: political-science, non-fiction, military-history, public-policy, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, policy-analysis
204 pages · Hardcover · Random House