Norman f dixon biography of georgetown maine

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Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe to:. After all, there can be few officers with a record of serving in the Royal Engineers with nine years in bomb disposal , who have gone on to enter academia and become Professor Emeritus of Psychology at University College London. And it is this understanding, both of the mind and the military, that makes this book so special.

From the disasters of the Crimean War to costly mistakes in Vietnam, Dixon examines the social psychology of the military as a whole, and reveals an alarming pattern of blunder. This will convince people that it was not your fault! In fact, he examines those traits that can result in exemplary leaders: the Wellingtons, Nelsons and Napoleons of history:.

When his men, inevitably, became pinned down, he brought his heavy guns about and ordered a bombardment from the other side. Unfortunately, and very naturally, balls from his own guns then fell amongst his own men leading to severe casualties.

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Soon after came the order to retire. Norman Dixon's understanding of the military decision-making, violent conflict and all its repercussions is perhaps best summed up in the paragraph: "At a conscious level society admires bravery, enjoys pomp, is grateful for protection and proud of conquest, while at the same time disliking the authoritarianism, potential threat and enormous cost of military organisations.

To this one must add that since civilian populations pay a stiff price for their military organisations, they will quite naturally expect value for their money and be critical of incompetence. A Folio Society edition, three-quarter-bound in cloth with a printed Modigliani paper front board, of Norman F. Related topics Stories News. Join Our Newsletter Email Address.

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