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Richard E. Neustadt
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Thinking in Time: The Uses of History for Decision-Makers Paperback – Illustrated, January 25, 1988

by Richard E. Neustadt (Author), Ernest R. May (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 184 ratings
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“A convincing case that careful analysis of the history, issues, individuals, and institutions can lead to better decisions—in business as well as in government” (BusinessWeek).

Two noted professors offer easily remembered rules for using history effectively in day-to-day management of governmental and corporate affairs to avoid costly blunders. “An illuminating guide to the use and abuse of history in affairs of state” (Arthur Schlesinger).
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 25, 1988
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0029227917
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0029227916
  7. See all details
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  1. Learnings from the Long View
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  4. Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies, Update Edition, with an Epilogue on Health Care (Longman Classics in Political Sc
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard E. Neustadt is Douglas Dillon Professor of Government in the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. For three decades an advisor to presidents, their aides, and to members of the cabinet, he is the author of Alliance Politics and the influential study, Presidential Power.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Free Press; Illustrated edition (January 25, 1988)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0029227917
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0029227916
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 184 ratings

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Richard E. Neustadt

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
184 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Melvin A. Goodman
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Book for Today’s Times
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022
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Very thoughtful and analytical book from two Harvard professors. Great for specialists, but written in a way that should reach a general audience as well.
One person found this helpful
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Abdullah
4.0 out of 5 stars Applying history
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2022
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Throughout it’s history mankind is doomed to repeat the same mistakes. The authors of the book may came close enough to discover a way to clear the smoke , to take history lessons to the everyday’s political arena. The mini-methods in the book are easy to learn, yet hard to implement.
It seems that people who are cursed with knowledge in history have failed to understand how it should be used. The mere possession of knowledge didn’t help Truman in his adventure in Korea , Ford on the 1976 health crisis and the list goes on. The book was rich in examples that provided both historical knowledge and political teachings. As I continued reading i came to the conviction that all politicians in the world were suffering from the lack of historical knowledge, which if provided through right channels, articles and books may come in handy to understand the political, social and economic nature of every country. The focus on pure science without taking history into consideration did humanity great harm. Both doctors agreed that our lack of history in terms of knowledge didn’t help the U.S and our knowledge without a method to use it lead to disasters.
I would say for me, the book can be called a manual if history is considered to to be a device I have read the book based on the recommendation given by Dr. Graham T. Allison whose book was one of the resources used to shape historical knowledge in a chapter. The leaders of the free world need to stop taking history for granted and start learning from it. The United States is the most powerful country in the world, but with great powers come great responsibilities. The world will look up to the United States leadership to overcome many great challenges that threaten the entire world.
I believe it’s books like this one, if studied well enough can help to bring solutions to the table. Though i disagree with some definitions in the book, I can’t argue when it comes to conclusions. Historical knowledge is sine que non to apply the book to the real world. However history should not be treated as an deus ex machina.
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SAM
5.0 out of 5 stars recommend this book
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2017
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I read this book when it was first published and have reread it a few times since. Although the instances used in the book are dated, the message is still relavent. Bought a copy form my college age grandaughter because I did not want to part with mine.
4 people found this helpful
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John E. Pepper
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling diagnosis of key decisions and lessons to be applied for the future.
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019
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While over 20 years old, the lessons to be drawn from this fine study have ringing application to events and decisions which we face today.
3 people found this helpful
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malachi
3.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
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Good condition. Pages worked nicely & cover was clean. Pages also smell good. Good price. It helped me on my class so thank u.
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David C. Leaumont
4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars - great primer for historical application in decision making
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2010
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This book was our second in a voluntary squadron book club led by our commander in hopes of developing us into effective leaders as we move through the ranks.

I would like to give this book 4.5 stars; however, am limited to 4 or 5.

The authors are both noted scholars and advisors. The late (2001) Richard Neustadt taught at Columbia where he wrote the very influential "Presidential Power." Prior to this, he served as advisor to Pres. Truman, and afterward, he advised Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton. The late (2009) Ernest May taught at Harvard for 55 years and authored many historical analyses of WWI and WWII.

This book does not serve as a history book, but as a book on how to use history. The premise of the book is that certain tools can be inserted into analytical processes to increase (even in small increments) the effectiveness or success of a decision. The authors propose several mini techniques to facilitate their purpose. These methods are the fruit of several years worth of classes taught by the authors at Harvard. The authors use their insight into events surrounding presidential decisions and crises and look at the use of history in their decisions. Firsthand accounts, biographies and official documents provide further views into the decision processes the authors consulted. Then the authors show where the decision makers could have used history more effectively to come to better conclusions. The Bay of Pigs, The Americanization of the Vietnam War, the Cambodian capture of SS Mayaguez, SALT II treaty, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and even the reparation of Social Security by Reagan. In these, little political bias shines through.

The authors differentiate between effective use and common use of history. They propose that the majority that uses history in decision making use it incorrectly. Problems arise in inappropriate analogies and a tendency to move too quickly to act. These must be overcome and replaced with the simple-to-use and easy to remember techniques.

The authors being Harvard professors may turn some off to this text; however, the verbiage is not pretentious or overly scholarly. The concepts of the book are proposed in a straight-forward manner and repeated with a patience that seemed to underscore the importance with which the authors see this topic.

Why subtract 1/2 star? At times, it seemed the authors belabored points. They repeated themselves often and their techniques become slightly convoluted in the last quarter of the book. Also, the authors placed the conclusion (summary) a chapter too early. After the conclusion, the authors wrote about the importance of thinking of time as a stream or continuum. This is a concept that is important but seems out of place with the rest of the text.

The concept that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. That includes looking at the methods used in reaching decisions, and this book serves well as a means of gathering insight into decision making history. This book is highly recommended to those in leadership positions.
28 people found this helpful
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Terry Foster
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2019
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Timely delivery and item was as advertised.
One person found this helpful
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Mario Eybers
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work for those interested In History and its uses in Intelligence Analysis
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2013
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The book describe how the clients of the intelligence community use history to support and make decisions. It further explains the how of using history to do better analysis of current situations. Excellent reference.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Manuel
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in Mexico on May 31, 2022
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It’s a master class for decision makers, with historical examples. Some times so repeatedly, but useful to find valuable lessons.
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Meg N
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on History, and The Use Thereof...
Reviewed in Japan on September 14, 2018
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Mention was made of this book in an interview that I encountered on YouTube, so I looked it up and ordered a copy. I'm very glad I did. Across 14 topic areas, historical events and what went right, wrong, and might prove to be of value in future situations are examined carefully. IF the methods outlined for the examination of historical event vs current situations are followed, a lot can be learned. The world is NOT unceasingly all new and fresh, and re-inventing the wheel (or going off exploring into a ditch) can be avoided and perspective gained by using the methods outlined - define the current situation being faced, what is known what is unclear, and what is presumed, and then apply the same analysis to any similar events in history that come to mind: compare for likenesses, differences and articulate where the concerns lay and what the final objective is. Look for the story, not for the problem, test the presumptions, and identify what would cause a need to change your plans for action. The book is copyright 1986, but it would be SO NICE if we didn't make the mistakes of the past while we try to deal with the present.
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Danny1
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2014
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Fast delivery, as advertised, well packed, thank you
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