Risk Too Far: A Psychological Autopsy of the Planning for Arnhem

A Risk Too Far examines the errors made in the planning of Operation Market Garden to understand the psychology of why and how military failures occur.

Why were errors made in the planning of Operation Market Garden? Why do Military operations fail? To answer these questions, A Risk Too Far examines the psychology behind the military failure at Arnhem. Highlighting the situational pressures faced by key decision-makers the book focuses on the errors made at different levels of command during the planning of the operation. It explores how Field Marshal Montgomery's difficult personality led him to make the wrong strategic choice and discusses how Lieutenant-General Browning's motivation drove him to push the operation through. It also outlines how Major-General Urquhart's previous experience led to limitations in his planning. A Risk Too Far also explains the coping strategies adopted by each officer to deal with the difficult situation they faced and details the cognitive biases that underpinned planning errors. Finally, in each case, A Risk Too Far applies Structured Analytical Techniques to explore how events may have unfolded differently

If you are interested in understanding the psychology of why and how military failures occur, then this is the book for you.