“The Vietnam War was not lost on the battlefield, nor in the headlines of the New York Times, or on the university campuses. It was lost in Washington, D.C.” — H. R. McMasterDereliction of Duty presents a powerful and deeply researched examination of how the United States became trapped in a full-scale, devastating conflict in Southeast Asia. Drawing on official transcripts, eyewitness accounts, and crucial decision-making moments, this book reconstructs the chain of events with unmatched clarity. McMaster identifies the flawed policies, the key figures behind them, and the hidden motives that drove the nation into war—challenging the narratives of previous historians and exposing the excuses of those directly involved.With a gripping, narrative style, the book highlights the roles of President Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, General Maxwell Taylor, McGeorge Bundy, and other senior officials who misled the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Congress, and the American people.As McMaster’s only published work, Dereliction of Duty remains an authoritative and explosive reassessment of America’s involvement in Vietnam, offering insights that continue to spark debate today.