On The Psychology Of Military Incompetence (Pimlico)
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Product Description
Book Description
'An intelligent man's guide to the defects of the military mind. . . Its conclusions are incontrovertible. ' Alan Sillitoe, BOOKS AND BOOKMEN.
Product Description
This unique and penetrating book surveys 100 years of military inefficiency from the Crimean War, through the Boer conflict, to the disasterous campaigns of the First World War and the calamities of the Second. It examines the social psychology of military organizations, provides case studies of individual commanders and identifies an alarming pattern in the causes of military disaster. 'An absorbing, perceptive and often very funny study in human frailty. . . . stimulating and almost invariably provocative. ' Lord Chalfont, LISTENER
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Everyone who manages anyone should be required to read this book. By focussing on the military Dixon has written a book crammed with examples that show the drastic consequences of incompetence.
In management situations it's seldom a matter of life and death (despite the way some bosses act) but the consequences are still there: demotivated, under-utilised, confused and stressed staff.
So if you're the boss and this sounds familiar you should read this book and learn it's lessons.
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author's central hypotheses is that incompetent decision making stems not so much from a lack of technical knowledge or theory, but rather personal inadequacies that prevent someone in a leadship role from making appropriate decisions under pressure,i.e. they freeze up.
Also discussed are the possibities of why such personality types are attracted to those roles involving such high pressure decision making, where the consequences of the wrong decision can be dire.
Unlike a lot of 'psychology' books, the author presents a critcal and convincing chain of reasoning to support his hypotheses.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was lent this book by a retired friend who had risen to a high level in the RAF. He told me that it had been required reading at Staff College.
As soon as I finished it I immediately bought my own copy (from Amazon!) and tried to persuade as many of my work colleagues as possible to read it.
It is a study of the authoritarian character and its need to rise in an hierachy. A rise that is usually totally unwarranted. Just to limit this to a military context is to miss the chief benefit of the book. It should be required reading in every management school.
It also has the advantage of being a very entertaining book (despite the title).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
On the Psychology of Military Incompetence
Dixon tells us that military organisations are inherently prone to inefficiency and mismanagement. This is due to the sheer obtuseness of some military officials, the inertia... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Squinancy
Fascinating
This fascinating book gives a clear logical explanation of human behaviour contributing to some of the worst military disasters in history - and an insight into how humans... Read more
Published 8 months ago by R. C. S. Buckeridge
Scarily applicable even now - a must have book.
I could go into detail about Dixon's final conclusions on autocratic V authocratic leadership styles, but I won't because that has been done to death. Read more
Published 10 months ago by John Chard
A GREAT READ: VERY ENTERTAINING AND ILLUMINATING
I found this book highly readable, entertaining and illuminating. Although Dixon focuses solely on the military in analysing the origins, pathology and disastrous consequences of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Lawrence Cutler
Insightful analysis of structural issues of military organisations
Dixon does a good job of examining both social and individual psychological / structural reasons for military incompetence. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by AK
Insightful analysis of structural issues of military organisations
Dixon does a good job of examining both social and individual psychological / structural reasons for military incompetence. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by AK
Enlightening in places but very tedious
My expectations of this book was that it would be a military version of the Peter Principle. Where the Peter Principle deals with promotion of the people up through the ranks;... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Mr. J. Hudson
On the Psychology of Incompetence in common?
Haven't read it yet, but scanning it, it's certainly worthwhile, espcecially when you're a civilian working amongst military. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2009 by J. M. Muijs
Revealing and insightful - a must read
This book contains some superb information regarding the personality types behind military success and failure, along with considerable evidence and anecdotal support. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2007 by CJ
Essential even for civilians
Dixon's work extends far beyond the realm of the military. It's a wonderful guide to the psychology of organisations and projects of all kinds, especially those where objective... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2003 by ItsNotMe
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