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. (19930528)
On The Psychology Of Military Incompetence (Pimlico)
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"Shocking and provocative" (New Society )
"An absorbing, perceptive and often very funny study in human frailty... Stimulating and almost invariably provocative" (Lord Chalfont Listener )
"An original, scientifically impressive and fascinating book... This is a minor classic" (Tablet )
"It should be compulsory reading wherever future officers are selected or trained, and deserves a very wide readership among psychologists and laymen" (John Nicholson New Society )
"An absorbing, perceptive and often very funny study in human frailty... Stimulating and almost invariably provocative" (Lord Chalfont Listener )
"An original, scientifically impressive and fascinating book... This is a minor classic" (Tablet )
"It should be compulsory reading wherever future officers are selected or trained, and deserves a very wide readership among psychologists and laymen" (John Nicholson New Society )
Book Description
'An intelligent man's guide to the defects of the military mind... Its conclusions are incontrovertible.' Alan Sillitoe (19930528)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 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.
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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).
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The book starts by charting some notable examples of military incompetence by senior British commanders, leading to the deaths of thousands of people. These examples are highly readable and are quite shocking in revealing ridiculous mistakes,oversights and blunders. The character and history of the commanders is set against the actions of them and the all too often tragic consequences. The book in no way sets out to rubbish the entire structure and training of the officer corps of the British army, but does reveal fatal flaws in the personality of individual commanders in the field. Later in the book the author tries to analyse the thinking and stratergy of General Haig during the first world war. This is where I feel the book loses direction slightly and becomes bogged down in the psychological aspects of incompetence. An example being the fixation Haig had for dirt and mud, being linked to overly strict potty training as a child! A bit strange I thought. Otherwise an excellent read.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By CJ
Format:Paperback
This book contains some superb information regarding the personality types behind military success and failure, along with considerable evidence and anecdotal support. Dr Dixon's knowledge of both psychology and military history is breathtaking, and his prose is precise and warm. This is not a difficult book to read or enjoy at all, in spite of its subject matter and the academic nature of the subject. Very highly recommended.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By ItsNotMe
Format:Paperback
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 progress is hard to monitor.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The more I read, the more it sounded like work? This book is an excellent insight into how we fail under pressure and exhibit stress. A very worthwhile read. This is a book I have returned to and re-apppreciated.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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 the Authoritarian Personality, I believe his thesis has a universal application to ANY hierarchical organization, whether it is in education, business, religion, the public service or even supposedly benign not-for-profit groups. I'm sure that anyone who has suffered under dysfunctional, irrational and even destructive "managers", and wondered why, will have many of their questions answered. They will understand what makes a man like The Office's David Brent tick.
The only pity is that the very people who should read this book won't. That would be like a flat-earther or creation fundamentalist picking up a tome entitled "On the Psychology of Scientific Denial".
One can only hope that those charged with selecting and promoting staff in any context will read it, and so be able to identify those with the potential to cause catastrophic harm to their people and organizations. Professionals in child raising and education will find it valuable in understanding how these sad and stunted but dangerous authoritarian types are created and how, I sincerely hope, they can be helped to become less menacing to themselves and those unfortunates unlucky enough to work under them.
The only pity is that the very people who should read this book won't. That would be like a flat-earther or creation fundamentalist picking up a tome entitled "On the Psychology of Scientific Denial".
One can only hope that those charged with selecting and promoting staff in any context will read it, and so be able to identify those with the potential to cause catastrophic harm to their people and organizations. Professionals in child raising and education will find it valuable in understanding how these sad and stunted but dangerous authoritarian types are created and how, I sincerely hope, they can be helped to become less menacing to themselves and those unfortunates unlucky enough to work under them.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compulsory reading for anybody planning to join the military or start...
There are very good reasons why this has been in print for so long and praised by so many eminent people. It is well written with excellent analysis from one who knows his subject. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Des
5.0 out of 5 stars
For 'military' read 'management' - or 'government' ...
I was first introduced to this book in 1979 and it struck an immediate chord with me. Since then, I have seen examples (too many to list) of the incompetence Dixon ascribes to the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Mrs. W. G. Krouwel
5.0 out of 5 stars
So good, I've read it twice
This is one of my favourite books of all time. The descriptions of British military defeats are eye-popping and concise, the interpretation using Dixon's theories, can sound a bit... Read more
Published 6 months ago by William Cohen
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 17 months ago by Squinancy
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 21 months ago by R. C. S. Buckeridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 23 months ago by John Chard
4.0 out of 5 stars
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
4.0 out of 5 stars
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
2.0 out of 5 stars
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
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