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.
c. 240 pages
Publication c. 30th June 2025
9781912440771 paperback
9781922440788 hardback
9781912440795 EPUB
A Risk Too Far: A Psychological Autopsy of the Planning for Arnhem
Foreword
Preface
Advance To Contact
Montgomery’s Observation - Discord
Montgomery’s Orientation - Grip
Montgomery’s Decision - Avoidance
Montgomery’s Action - Dissonance
Dilemma
Browning’s Observation - Consistency
Browning’s Orientation - Ambition
Browning’s Decision - Bolstering
Browning’s Action - Endowment
Feasibility
Urquhart’s Observation - Conformity
Urquhart’s Orientation - Complexity
Urquhart’s Decision - Hypervigilance
Urquhart’s Action - Framing
Risk
Withdrawal
Bibliography
Dr Gary Buck BSc MSc MA PhD C.Psyhcol. AFBPsS
Dr Buck is an Operational Psychologist with an interest in military history and decision-making. Having obtained a degree in Psychology, a Masters in Occupational Psychology, a Masters in Modern War Studies and Contemporary Military History, and a PhD in Applied Psychology, Dr Buck has worked for the last twenty-five years in the area of Operational Psychology. He is also a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He is also a Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London and the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham.
He currently consults with and trains the British police and UK military on a range of issues including: operational judgement and situational awareness; crisis management, detecting deception; and the detection of hostile activity. As a (currently serving) reservist officer, Maj Buck has worked in Psychological Operations and Intelligence roles and has served in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq.