_The Guns of August_ helped John F. Kennedy avoid nuclear war with the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The founder of Trader Joe's called it the best management book he's ever read. Acclaimed biographer Robert Caro was inspired by this book to write Pulitzer-winning _The Power Broker_. And it's one of my favorite nonfiction books: I've read it twice, and then read 11 more books afterwards to chase down curiosities that came up while I was reading it 🤓
How has this book been so influential? It's a highly psychological book, diving into the psyches of both military leaders and nations during a very high-stakes situation: the lead-up to the first world war. And it's beautifully written, emotionally evocative, won a Pulitzer, and was written by a woman, Barbara Tuchman.
Contents:
1:21 *Ch 1: What makes this book remarkable?*
2:26 *Ch 2: The French national psyche*
2:39 Backstory of decades of conflict/jealousy between France and Germany (Franco-Prussian War, Otto von Bismarck, founding of the German Empire)
5:39 French insecurity leads them to Bergson's philosophy of the vital spirit and the military doctrine of the offensive
7:36 A caveat on Barbara Tuchman's style of analysis
8:49 *Ch 3: The German national psyche*
8:51 Pride in economic progress; insecurity in cultural standing
9:31 Kaiser Wilhelm II
11:40 Military philosophy and battle plans
14:31 War looms
16:31 German military officials' over-attachment to plans precipitates war
17:59 Connection to John F. Kennedy's handling of Cuban Missile Crisis
18:40 German path through Belgium: more psychological misunderstandings
22:25 *Ch 4: Psychology of military leaders*
22:35 French General Joffre's delusional arrogance actually saves France
25:30 Von Kluck succumbs to arrogance and wishful thinking
27:43 The French make a comeback
29:16 *Ch 5: Emotional quality of the writing*
29:32 The famous opening paragraph of The Guns of August
30:40 Closing thoughts on what makes the book great