SKU: 55036512304

Why Intelligence Fails

Sale price$16.03 Regular price$17.81
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 12 - Jul 17

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Why Intelligence FailsThe U. S. government spends enormous resources each year on the gathering and analysis of intelligence, yet the history of American foreign policy is littered with missteps and misunderstandings that have resulted from intelligence failures. In Why Intelligence Fails, Robert Jervis examines the politics and psychology of two of the more spectacular intelligence failures in recent memory: the mistaken belief that the regime of the Shah in Iran was

The U.S. government spends enormous resources each year on the gathering and analysis of intelligence, yet the history of American foreign policy is littered with missteps and misunderstandings that have resulted from intelligence failures. In Why Intelligence Fails, Robert Jervis examines the politics and psychology of two of the more spectacular intelligence failures in recent memory: the mistaken belief that the regime of the Shah in Iran was secure and stable in 1978, and the claim that Iraq had active WMD programs in 2002.

The Iran case is based on a recently declassified report Jervis was commissioned to undertake by CIA thirty years ago and includes memoranda written by CIA officials in response to Jervis's findings. The Iraq case, also grounded in a review of the intelligence community's performance, is based on close readings of both classified and declassified documents, though Jervis's conclusions are entirely supported by evidence that has been declassified.

In both cases, Jervis finds not only that intelligence was badly flawed but also that later explanations--analysts were bowing to political pressure and telling the White House what it wanted to hear or were willfully blind--were also incorrect. Proponents of these explanations claimed that initial errors were compounded by groupthink, lack of coordination within the government, and failure to share information. Policy prescriptions, including the recent establishment of a Director of National Intelligence, were supposed to remedy the situation.

In Jervis's estimation, neither the explanations nor the prescriptions are adequate. The inferences that intelligence drew were actually quite plausible given the information available. Errors arose, he concludes, from insufficient attention to the ways in which information should be gathered and interpreted, a lack of self-awareness about the factors that led to the judgments, and an organizational culture that failed to probe for weaknesses and explore alternatives. Evaluating the inherent tensions between the methods and aims of intelligence personnel and policymakers from a unique insider's perspective, Jervis forcefully criticizes recent proposals for improving the performance of the intelligence community and discusses ways in which future analysis can be improved.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 12/22/2011
ISBN: 9780801478062
Pages: 238
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.70d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 55036512304

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 1004 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
B
Verified Purchase
Bill
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Great product, well made, would buy again!
Size: 8" Edger New
Great product, well made, would buy again!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
KimberlyY
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Uses same battery as the rest of my equipment
Size: 8" Edger New
Since I already have and like the Greenworks mower, string trimmer and blower it only made sense to get the edger. Even better that I didn’t need to buy more batteries. I tried another name brand electric edger and returned it for not holding a charge. This one works great! There’s charge left in the battery after everything has been edged. I was concerned how easy it would be to control but fell in love with it first time I used it. To use just pop the battery in, flip the thumb lever, squeeze and edge. Not as noisy as gas powered equipment and no cords to pull. Feels sturdy in my hands and a good weight that’s enough to not pop up if it hits something but not too much to be heavy to carry back to the shed.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2025
T
Verified Purchase
Texas Gal
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
First use was great!
I've used it just the one time today. I had previously "edged" with a string weedwhacker, so while the grass was cut back some, there wasn't a trench dug out. I did a gentle push and pull, taking on about 18" at a time to get a new trench dug next to the sidewalk edge. It did a great job! The entire unit was much heavier and sturdy looking than I was afraid it would be for the price, so pleasantly surprised. Assembly wasn't complicated, but it did take two of us to hold it steady because getting the screws to seat in the square hole and not have the cord in the way was a bit tricky. I'm a 70+ lady, not large and not athletic, but I was able to handle this edger with ease. Now, to see how long it lasts!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2025
J
Verified Purchase
James E Morris
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Not expensive
Gets the job done
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Katy
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Great Yard Helper!
So easy to use and affordable! This edger is a great time saver, easy to operate, and relatively easy to adjust although you may need a pliers or screwdriver to help with the adjustment levels, but its not difficult. I would have given this 5 stars but just one thing that is a sticking point for me is I wish this had its own stand or hanger because of its odd shape, it doesn't necessarily balance upright too well. It’s long and the guide wheel in the front sticks out. So, it is always awkward to get it tidy in the garage when not in use. Now maybe this is what it's like for landscapers…I’m not a professional. Just a homeowner doing my own upkeep. With what this costs, I’ll figure it out, and is worth the money.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024

recommand products