
A Risk Too Far
A Psychological Autopsy of the Planning for Arnhem
Gary Buck(Author)
Howgate Publishing Limited
Published on 12. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-912440-77-1 (ISBN)
Description
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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
599 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-912440-77-1 (9781912440771)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2025
1st Edition
Howgate Publishing Limited
€29.49
Available for download
Person
Dr Buck is an Operational Psychologist with an interest in military history and decision-making. His academic interests combine postgraduate qualifications in Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History, and a PhD in Applied Psychology. His PhD thesis examined the psychological factors involved in the management of crisis situations and historical military disasters. He is a (currently serving) reservist officer, Gary has served in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq.