Accessibility links
Rumsfeld and McNamara's Similar Experiences There are some parallels in the careers of Donald Rumsfeld and Robert McNamara, both high-profile secretaries of defense. Both men presided over controversial wars, and both were replaced as those wars began to appear unwinnable.

World

Rumsfeld and McNamara's Similar Experiences

Heard on Morning Edition

Rumsfeld and McNamara's Similar Experiences

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6490307/6490308" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

There are some parallels in the careers Donald Rumsfeld and Robert McNamara, both high-profile secretaries of defense. Both men presided over controversial wars, and both were replaced as those wars began to appear un-winnable.

Author David Halberstam talks to Steve Inskeep about the parallels between today and the Vietnam era.

Related NPR Stories

Books Featured In This Story

The Best and the Brightest/20th Anniversary Edition
The Best and the Brightest/20th Anniversary Edition

by David Halberstam

Paperback, 688 pages |

purchase

Buy Featured Book

Title
The Best and the Brightest/20th Anniversary Edition
Author
David Halberstam

Your purchase helps support NPR programming. How?