The Best and the Brightest is a riveting, incisive investigation into how America’s most celebrated minds led the nation into one of its most disastrous wars. With masterful storytelling and penetrating analysis, Halberstam unpacks the decisions, personalities, and political illusions that drew the United States deeper into the Vietnam conflict—revealing how intelligence, ambition, and prestige can blind even the most capable leaders. More than a history of a war, this landmark work is a study of power, hubris, and the unintended consequences of elite confidence. Essential reading for anyone interested in political decision-making, modern American history, or the complex interplay between brilliance and failure, The Best and the Brightest remains a timeless and compelling classic.
