The March of Folly

by Barbara Tuchman

First published 1993

Across centuries, governments have repeatedly pursued policies that harm their own interests. Tuchman's landmark work traces these patterns of 'folly', from the Trojan War to the American Revolution. Why do leaders so often ignore reason and act against their own best interests? Tuchman's analysis is both sweeping and intimate, revealing the human flaws that lead to disastrous decisions. At the core, The March of Folly is a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris, groupthink, and the disconnect between those in power and the people they serve.

Genres: history, 20th-century, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic

Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: cautionary-tale, hubris

447 pages · Paperback · Random House Trade Paperbacks

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