"Dereliction Of Duty" is a stunning new analysis of how and why the United States became involved in an all-out and disastrous war in Southeast Asia. Fully and convincingly researched, based on recently released transcripts and personal accounts of crucial meetings, confrontations and decisions, it is the only book that fully re-creates what happened and why. It also pinpoints the policies and decisions that got the United States into the morass and reveals who made these decisions and the motives behind them, disproving the published theories of other historians and excuses of the participants. "Dereliction Of Duty" covers the story in strong narrative fashion, focusing on a fascinating cast of characters: President Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, General Maxwell Taylor, McGeorge Bundy and other top aides who deliberately deceived the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. Congress and the American public. Sure to generate controversy, "Dereliction Of Duty" is an explosive and authoritaative new look at the controversy concerning the United States involvement in Vietnam.

Abridged. Subtitle on container: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the lies that led to Vietnam.

The new frontiersmen and the old guard, 1961-October 1962 -- Havana and Hanoi, October 9162-November 1963 -- New war, new leader, November 1963-anuary 1964 -- Graduated pressure, January-March 1964 -- From distrust to deceit, March-July 1964 -- Across the threshold, July-August 1964 -- Contriving consensus, August-September 1964 -- Prophecies rejected and the path of least resistance, September-November 1964 -- Planning for failure, November-December 1964 -- A fork in the road, December 1964-February 1965 -- The foot in the door, February-March 1965 -- A quicksand of lies, March-April 1965 -- The coach and his team, April-June 1965 -- War without discretion, April-June 1965 -- Five silent men, July 1965 -- Epilogue.