Converging Dialogues #467 - McNamara At War: A Dialogue with William Taubman
Jan 22, 2026
William Taubman, a political science professor and biographer known for his Pulitzer-winning book on Khrushchev, dives deep into the life of Robert McNamara. He reveals how McNamara, a key figure in the Vietnam War, internally struggled with decisions that escalated conflict while privately seeking resolutions. Taubman shares insights on McNamara's leadership at Ford, his Pentagon reforms, and his evolution from war strategist to advocate for global poverty alleviation. The conversation explores the complexities of McNamara's legacy and his late-life reflections.
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The Double Life That Shaped Decisions
- McNamara lived a double life: publicly escalating Vietnam while privately concluding it was unwinnable.
- That internal split drove many of his decisions and long-term torment.
Drive To Excel Paired With Moral Ambition
- McNamara combined a relentless drive to excel with a deep desire to do good, creating internal moral conflict.
- His mother's worshipful yet infantilizing letters reinforced both ambition and dependence.
Jackie Kennedy's Emotional Confrontation
- Jackie Kennedy trusted McNamara and even physically implored him to end the slaughter in Vietnam.
- Taubman describes Jackie beating him on the chest and demanding he stop the war.
