History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach

Examines the chain of events that led to the Civil War's ill-fated Battle of the Crater and what can happen in warfare when a plan goes awry due to a lack of clear objectives and other baffling last-minute changes under a faulty leadership.

From initiating a second front with a new enemy to dividing supreme command among multiple generals; how failures of decision-making and leadership spelled disaster for the Greek city state of Athens in the outcome of the Peloponnesian War.

How the Roman military suffered one of its most humiliating defeats at the hands of the smaller Parthian force at the Battle of Carrhae; how the shocking defeat involved glaring intelligence failures, overconfidence and poor decisions.

How the Battle of Red Cliffs, one of the most celebrated conflicts in Chinese history, shows that even outstanding commanders can have a bad day; how General Cao Cao was fooled by an obvious ploy that set his armada ablaze.

How the battles of Adrianople and Pliska share a number of curious similarities; exploring how both defeats were triggered by the Romans' mistreatment of immigrant barbarian groups from the north; overconfidence on the part of the Roman emperors.

Innocent III initiating the Fourth Crusade to recapture control of the Holy Lands from Muslim rulers; how the Crusaders ultimately rampaged through Christendom; what led to the brutal attack and looting of the city of Constantinople.