It’s been almost twenty years since I started writing my first book, and there’s a reason I waited so long to do it again. The process is painful but deeply worthwhile; I often think that you don’t actually know how you feel about something until you’ve written it down. Writing this book both exorcised some demons and forced me to confront my few successes and many failings of the past two decades.
Scott Moyers was after me to write this book for years when he was an agent; I was fortunate that he had become an editor at Penguin when I finally took him up on the offer. Scott understood the book better than I did and earlier than I did. The title is his work, and the whole book is far better for all his efforts. Ann Godoff, the president of Penguin Press, has assembled a world-class team. Thanks to everyone at Penguin, including Akif Saifi and Janet Biehl, the copy editor, for cleaning up my messes.
Scott’s previous employer was superagent Andrew Wylie. It was Mark Mazetti, author of the excellent (and similarly titled) Way of the Knife who introduced me to Andrew, a relationship that I hope bears fruit again when I write my next book in another twenty years.
I have been fortunate to have been mentored by four men with doctorates in international relations and combat experience of one sort or another: Dan Kaufman, Bob O’Neill, Dave Petraeus, and Jim Miller. Thanks to each for their contributions to world security and for their patience with a slow but committed student.
I have also been privileged to teach at three universities and a prep school: West Point, Georgetown, Annapolis, and The Haverford School. Thanks to the faculty and especially the students at each institution of learning. Your questions made me think, and your dedication will keep America strong and safe.
The security studies community of which I have been a part for the past twenty-five or so years is full of people fascinated by the question of how force is employed to accomplish national interests. Many of its members are also practitioners, dedicated to learning from the past and making fewer and more original mistakes in the future. Although too many have helped me along the way to list all of them here, I would be remiss in not mentioning retired Army Colonel John Collins, Alexandria neighbor and mentor, who started his service in World War II and continues today to contribute to world security through his guidance of the WARLORD Loop that he created.
The two most important women in my life are my mother and my wife. Both are long suffering and have an obvious sense of humor. Mom never made it through my first book; I’m hopeful that she’ll read this one. (It has fewer footnotes.) Susi has given me many gifts, the most important and best being the chance to be a father to Jack.
As a result of the mistakes described in this book, many men will never get the chance to be fathers themselves, and many children will grow up without knowing their parents. This book is dedicated to those who volunteer to go in harm’s way, trusting in the wisdom of their elected and appointed leaders to make good decisions about the use of force in protecting the interests of America and her friends. My most sincere hope is that it leads to hard thinking before the next time the United States goes to war, helping ensure that American armed forces are ready to fight any kind of enemy, using any strategy. Being prepared for war while remaining conscious of its unbearable costs is the best way to increase the chances for peace.