Super Short Summary

Published in 1972, The Best and The Brightest by David Halberstam explores the causes and context of the Vietnam War, focusing on the flawed decision-making process of intellectuals known as the “whiz kids,” whose naive strategies and groupthink led to ineffective U.S. intervention and escalation, culminating in a defining event for an era of American history. The book discusses themes including war, political manipulation, and violence.