Bacevich takes stock of the separation between Americans and their military, tracing its origins to the Vietnam era and exploring its pernicious implications: a nation with an abiding appetite for war waged at enormous expense by a standing army demonstrably unable to achieve victory. Rather than something for "other people" to do, Bacevich argues that national defense should become the business of "we the people."

Part 1.Nation at war. People's war -- The great decoupling -- Tallying up -- Part 2. Warrior's plight. America's army -- Comes the revolution -- Searching for dragons to slay -- Coping with chaos -- Part 3. Skin in the game. Smedley and friends -- Winners and losers -- Trahison des clercs -- Droning on -- American characters.