To Dare Mighty Things

The definitive history of U.S. defense strategy—deployments and operations, wartime plans and campaigns, budgets, people, deterrence concepts, innovation and modernization

Much of the history of U.S. defense over the course of 250 years has been a story of success. Insulated by two oceans and mostly friendly neighbors, but constantly ambitious abroad, America has dared mighty things and often achieved them, argues defense analyst Michael O'Hanlon. After growing into a continental power, largely through force of arms, during the first half of its history, it then led the way to coalition victories in two world wars, pursued peace in the Cold War, and has contributed to the most democratic period in human history. But it is a more "dangerous nation" than most citizens appreciate, given that its leaders, as well its people, are highly self-confident and activist. It has had few tendencies toward isolationism but many toward assertiveness and even overreaction, as we arguably saw in Vietnam in the 1960s and in Iraq in the 2000s. O'Hanlon reveals these patterns and America's strengths and weaknesses, arguing that only by understanding this "national DNA" can we hope to steer safely through the twenty-first century.