The documentary looks  important events such as World War 2, the Vietnam war, the Cuban missle crisis, and many others that McNamara was involved in. McNamara is often percieved as the "architect" of the Vietnam war. This war was fought against a extremely underestimated foe, this underestimation and fear of somthing bigger at play had cost many  lives.

         Some blame Mcnamara personally for the almost countless causualties of the Vietnam war, to me this is a ridiculous thing to blame on an single person. This person is just like all of us (#1 of Mcnamara's lessons). Being a leader, politician or any other high ranking position  does not make you a god-like figure, these leaders are only human (#9). Often times we support their decisions up untill consequences arise, then they go beserk and completly switch point of view in order to better themselves.

Mcnamara's 11 lessons with my interpretation and view on them

  1. Empathize with your enemy-Take a look at your enemies’ point of view and it sometimes it can diffuse the situation, or better it.

2. Rationality will not save us-I do not believe in this. There is no hope if you say never. I do understand why he chose this point though.

3. There’s something beyond one's self – You have to get over yourself. You cannot be selfish. There are other things in life asides from you.

4. Maximize efficiency –You must completely fulfill your greatest potential. Time is money. Be the best you, and make the best of everything and everyone.

5. Proportionality should be a guideline in war- Use of over excessive force doesn’t benefit you or others. It is an effective strategy to be aware of.

6. Get the data- Do not be vain. It can be quite easily forgotten, but it is an important factor if not the most important.

7. Belief and seeing are often both wrong-“Get the data #6”

8. be prepared to re-examine your reasoning-You are not always right. You must be ready to accept others views and thoughts seeing as you may not always be correct. “Empathize with your enemy.” #1

9. In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil- This is a necessary risk and point of view that leaders, politicians, and everyday people have to face. Some people cannot make these choices; some of these choices are too big or too harsh for many. Making these difficult decisions come with consequences, sometimes too much evil is done, and sometimes it doesn’t turn out as expected. The leaders of our country have made these tough decisions, and sometimes we don’t agree with them once the consequences arise, but our leaders are only human, just like the rest of us. These decisions are not easy for them either.

10. Never say never- With this mentality, drive and passion, few things are unachievable.

11. You can't change human nature- speaks for itself, there is good, as well as evil in the human soul.

Some questions to be answered after the Film. 

2. Which one of McNamara’s questions or challenges is of most interest or concern to you? Why?

The questions that intrests me most would be; How he deals with the feeling of guilt or if he feels guilty for the events taken place during the cold war. If he doesnt feel guilty i would wonder why he doesnt feel guilty, if he does feel guilty i would want to know how he copes with it. Does he ignore it, or try to see the positives, or does he blame it on somone else, perhaps a higher power? Either way i would still respect his answer. How could any single person operate after beleiving that he, himself is responsible for causualties of a war.

3. Of the eleven lessons which were most interesting and important to you? With which
do you disagree? Which do you think will have the most impact on the 21st century? Why?


I could live by all of these points except for number 2. Without rationality you cannot predict anything. Without prediction wars will be caused, jobs will be lost, and economies will fall. Sure, you cannot believe that rationality will save you no matter what, but you can never say never.

4. What did you learn about the time periods discussed in the film? What did they learn
about Robert McNamara? What impression do you have of him now that you have seen the
film? What impression do you have of World War II, the Cuban missile crisis, and the
Vietnam War now that you have seen the film?

I knew most of the facts about the events because of my "Cold war timeline" and my research throughout history 12. What intrigued me was the mind of Robert Mcnamara and the situation he now faces, how he deals with it and how other people deal with him. I think no human could just walk away from what he faced. I dont think he could walk away from the memories and the decisions he made. But he still operates and he understands what has been done. The way he faced it, and the way he is continuing to face the future with all of his knowledge is what interests me.

http://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/105486/Russia-Timeline/#vars!date=1910-08-17_03:17:18!!