Encore Booknotes: Robert McNamara, "In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam" [video 2 hr 20 sec]

Robert McNamara, secretary of defense during the Johnson and Kennedy administrations, appeared on Booknotes in 1995 to discuss his book "In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam." According to Mr. McNamara, U.S. policy was based on a "domino" theory in which the loss of Vietnam would initiate a collapse of nations, which could include the United States. In the book, he identified eleven reasons for the outcome in Vietnam and six stages at which the U. S. withdrawal was possible. Mr. McNamara chronicled the measures enacted by government leaders and why he believes, in retrospect, that their decisions were wrong. This Booknotes is a two hour program.

Robert McNamara died on July 6, 2009.