Tuchman defines folly as 'the pursuit of policy contrary to self interest' and analyses the Renaissance Popes, British loss of America and the Vietnam war within this perspective. Originally published in 1984, her reasoning is eternally relevant - viz. the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iraq - when despite enlightened contemporary warnings and common sense the dominant political psyche stubbornly pursues the line 'If it's patently not working, do more of it'. Absolutely (if depressingly) compelling!
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 46 June 2008 ) |
