Who should read *Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World*?

This book suits policymakers, military professionals, and readers interested in geopolitics. McMaster’s blend of historical analysis (e.g., Vietnam War parallels) and modern security insights makes it valuable for understanding 21st-century threats. It’s also relevant for students of international relations seeking a framework for evaluating great-power competition.

Is *Battlegrounds* worth reading in 2025?

Yes—its analysis of authoritarian regimes and hybrid warfare remains timely amid ongoing U.S.-China tensions and Russian aggression. McMaster’s critique of bureaucratic inertia in foreign policy and emphasis on technological competition (AI, cyber) align with 2025 security debates. The book’s actionable strategies for democratic resilience make it a practical guide.

What are the main ideas in *Battlegrounds*?

Key themes include: - **Strategic empathy**: Understanding adversaries’ motivations to counter threats. - **Alliance revitalization**: Strengthening NATO and Indo-Pacific partnerships. - **Hybrid warfare**: Combating disinformation and cyberattacks. - **Bureaucratic reform**: Streamlining decision-making to avoid past policy failures. McMaster argues these steps are vital to counter China’s rise and Russia’s destabilizing actions.

How does *Battlegrounds* compare to McMaster’s *Dereliction of Duty*?

While *Dereliction of Duty* critiques Vietnam-era leadership failures, *Battlegrounds* addresses modern geopolitical risks. Both emphasize strategic clarity, but the latter expands to cyber, AI, and alliance management. McMaster’s focus on institutional learning ties his historical analysis to contemporary policy challenges.

What criticisms exist about *Battlegrounds*?

Some experts note McMaster avoids discussing domestic politics’ impact on foreign policy, such as partisan divides affecting U.S. strategy. Others argue the book prioritizes military solutions over diplomatic avenues. However, its actionable frameworks for countering authoritarianism are widely praised.

How does *Battlegrounds* address China’s geopolitical strategy?

McMaster details China’s belt-and-road expansion, intellectual property theft, and South China Sea militarization. He advocates for technology export controls, Indo-Pacific military partnerships, and countering CCP disinformation. The book warns against underestimating China’s long-term goal of displacing U.S. global influence.

What role does history play in *Battlegrounds*?

McMaster uses historical case studies—like Cold War deterrence and post-9/11 counterterrorism—to highlight recurring policy mistakes. He argues understanding past failures (e.g., inadequate responses to Russia’s 2014 Crimea annexation) is essential to avoid future strategic blunders.

战场

Q: What is *Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World* about?

*Battlegrounds* offers a critical analysis of U.S. foreign policy since the Cold War, focusing on challenges like authoritarian regimes (Russia, China), jihadist terrorism, and nuclear threats. Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster draws from his military service and tenure as National Security Advisor to advocate for strategic reforms, emphasizing the need to counter disinformation and strengthen alliances. The book also examines emerging "arenas" like cyber warfare and climate change.

捍卫自由世界的斗争

H.R. 麦克马斯特

4.11(1723 Reviews)

《战场》概述

前国家安全顾问麦克马斯特（McMaster）带来了一场地缘政治大师课，以战略同理心剖析了美国面临的最大威胁。这是一本超越党派政治的《纽约时报》畅销书，它提出了一个问题：如果了解敌人的视角才是捍卫民主的关键呢？

选择讲述方式

一本书，多种聆听方式。

来自《战场》的相同理念。选择适合你的声音、深度和节奏，随时切换。

第 1 章

A General's Warning: The Fight for Global Security in an Era of Strategic Competition

In February 2017, H.R. McMaster received an unexpected call from the White House. Just three days later, this career military officer with 34 years of service found himself sitting in the Oval Office as President Trump's new National Security Advisor. Having spent nearly half his career overseas, including five years in combat zones, McMaster brought a unique perspective to an administration that desperately needed strategic clarity. "Battlegrounds" arrived at a critical moment in American history. Named one of the Top 10 books of 2020 by The Washington Post and widely praised across the political spectrum, McMaster's analysis transcends partisan divides to address fundamental threats to global security. Unlike the tell-all memoirs that dominate political bestseller lists, McMaster deliberately avoided the White House palace intrigue to focus on something more enduring: a clear-eyed assessment of America's position in a rapidly changing world order. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted, the book offers "an unvarnished, fact-based look at the challenges America faces and a reasoned way forward based on sober analysis rather than wishful thinking."

第 2 章

Strategic Narcissism: America's Self-Defeating Worldview

At the turn of the millennium, America was flying high-perhaps too high. Like Icarus of Greek legend who soared toward the sun only to plummet to his death, the United States was setting itself up for a rude awakening. Three successive shocks shattered American confidence: the September 11th attacks that killed nearly 3,000 innocents, the unanticipated length and difficulty of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the 2008 financial crisis that devastated the global economy. These events exposed critical vulnerabilities in American security, military strategy, and economic foundations that many had previously considered unassailable. These traumas fundamentally altered America's approach to the world. The optimism that characterized the immediate post-Cold War era gave way to pessimism and retrenchment. Both the Bush and Obama administrations, in their own ways, fell victim to what McMaster calls "strategic narcissism"-viewing the world only in relation to the United States and assuming future events depend primarily on American decisions. This mindset manifested in policies that often ignored regional complexities, historical contexts, and the legitimate interests of other nations. This narcissism manifested in two opposing but equally flawed approaches. The Bush administration displayed overconfidence, believing American power could easily transform foreign societies. This was evident in the administration's assumption that Iraq would quickly become a Western-style democracy after Saddam Hussein's removal, overlooking centuries of sectarian divisions and regional power dynamics. The Obama administration, by contrast, embraced resignation, assuming American withdrawal would allow natural harmony to emerge. This was demonstrated in the precipitous withdrawal from Iraq, which created a power vacuum that contributed to the rise of ISIS, and in the "leading from behind" approach to Libya that left chaos in its wake. Both perspectives failed to appreciate what McMaster calls "strategic empathy"-understanding what drives and constrains other actors rather than projecting our own preferences onto them. This concept requires deep knowledge of other cultures, histories, and motivations. For instance, American leaders often misread the Taliban's resilience in Afghanistan, failing to understand how tribal loyalties and local power structures would trump centralized authority. "We consistently engaged in strategic narcissism," McMaster writes, "defining problems as we would like them to be and assuming that others would react to events as we would." This failure of imagination left America vulnerable to adversaries who studied our weaknesses and developed strategies to exploit them. China's strategy of economic coercion, Russia's hybrid warfare tactics, and Iran's use of proxy forces all demonstrated how adversaries learned to circumvent traditional American military advantages while exploiting our political divisions and decision-making processes. The consequences of strategic narcissism continue to shape American foreign policy debates, influencing everything from counter-terrorism strategy to great power competition. Understanding and overcoming this tendency requires a fundamental shift in how America views its role in the world and how it engages with both allies and adversaries.

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

轻松跟读，《战场》中的每个词都会随音频实时高亮。

第 3 章

Russia's Firehose of Falsehood: Putin's Campaign to Divide the West

Vladimir Putin's strategy toward the West resembles the Russian joke about a farmer who, when offered any wish, asks only to kill his neighbor's cow. Rather than building Russia up, Putin seeks to tear others down through a sophisticated strategy that combines disinformation, plausible deniability, disruptive technologies, economic coercion, and military capabilities. This approach, deeply rooted in Soviet-era active measures, has been modernized for the digital age with remarkable effectiveness. At the heart of this approach lies what RAND Corporation researchers call a "firehose of falsehood"-a propaganda technique that bombards audiences with rapid, continuous, and repetitive disinformation. The goal isn't to convince people of a particular narrative but to create doubt about everything, fostering a cynical worldview where truth becomes impossible to discern. With a $300 million annual budget, RT (formerly Russia Today) broadcasts propaganda disguised as news, reaching more YouTube subscribers than CNN, Fox News, and ABC News combined. RT's success stems from its ability to blend legitimate news coverage with subtle distortions and outright fabrications, making it difficult for viewers to separate fact from fiction. Russian disinformation operations are carefully tailored to each target country's vulnerabilities, exploiting specific cultural, political, and social fault lines. In smaller nations like Montenegro, Russia attempted comprehensive operations including election interference, disinformation, cyberattacks, and even a planned coup to prevent NATO membership. The Montenegro operation revealed the full spectrum of Russian capabilities, from traditional espionage to social media manipulation and economic pressure through oligarch-controlled investments. In larger countries like the United States, Russia focused on polarizing society and undermining democratic confidence through more sophisticated means, including targeted social media campaigns and strategic leaks of hacked information. The 2016 U.S. election interference demonstrated the sophistication of Russia's approach. The Internet Research Agency (IRA) reached 126 million Facebook users and posted 10.4 million tweets, creating a vast web of false personas and inflammatory content. Russian agents cultivated relationships within social media groups, drove extreme positions, created "media mirages" of manipulated content, and exploited algorithms that prioritize engagement over accuracy. They organized competing rallies in the same locations to create conflict, funded social media advertisements targeting specific demographic groups, and established fake news websites that mixed real local news with disinformation. "Russian disinformation does not create divisions," McMaster explains. "It exploits and exacerbates divisions that already exist." The GRU (Russian military intelligence) even attempted to encourage Texas and California secession movements, drawing from Soviet-era playbooks that had sought to create a separate black state in the American South during the 1930s. These efforts extended to promoting extremist groups on both ends of the political spectrum, amplifying conspiracy theories, and targeting specific demographic groups with tailored messages designed to increase political and social polarization. Putin's strategy has evolved to include sophisticated cyber operations, economic warfare through energy dependence, and the strategic use of military threats to create uncertainty among Western allies. The approach combines traditional KGB tactics with modern technology, creating a powerful tool for undermining Western democracies while maintaining plausible deniability.

第 4 章

China's Long Game: The CCP's Threat to Freedom and Security

While Russia plays a weak hand well, China represents a more fundamental challenge to the international order. During a 2017 visit to Beijing, McMaster observed how Chinese leaders manipulated historical symbolism to convey messages about China's inevitable return to dominance as the "Middle Kingdom." Xi Jinping views the 19th and 20th centuries as an aberrational period when European nations and the United States achieved dominance. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) portrays its increasingly assertive foreign policy as simply a return to the natural order where foreigners bow before Chinese authority. This narrative masks the profound insecurity driving Chinese leaders, who fear the historical cycle of prosperity, corruption, disaster, rebellion, and collapse that has ended previous dynasties. To prevent this fate, the CCP has constructed an unprecedented surveillance state that monitors citizens' activities, conversations, and even thoughts. The social credit score system combines internet control with artificial intelligence to determine eligibility for loans, education, employment, and transportation. In Xinjiang province, at least a million Uyghurs have been detained in concentration camps for systematic brainwashing, with leaked documents revealing Xi's orders to show "absolutely no mercy" in crushing minority opposition. The CCP's authoritarian control extends beyond China's borders through debt-trap diplomacy and strategic infrastructure investments. In Sri Lanka, high-interest Chinese loans for an unnecessary port project ultimately forced the country to sign a 99-year lease to a Chinese state enterprise when they couldn't service the debt. Despite promises the port wouldn't be used militarily, Chinese submarines soon docked there. Similar patterns have played out in the Maldives, Malaysia, Kenya, Ecuador, and elsewhere. "The Chinese Communist Party's goal," McMaster writes, "is to create exclusionary areas of primacy across the Indo-Pacific region, and, in time, to achieve global preeminence." Through its Military-Civil Fusion policy, the CCP compels all Chinese organizations to support intelligence work, with companies, universities, and the People's Liberation Army working together to dominate key economic sectors and develop dual-use technologies.

从《战场》中收获更多

每日获取新洞见，探索 10 万+ 条课程内容
文字实时高亮，与音频同步
保存你的书库，在所有设备上随时访问

第 5 章

Afghanistan's Endless War: Strategic Failures and Missed Opportunities

America's longest war represents perhaps the clearest example of strategic narcissism in action. Despite initial military successes in 2001, the United States essentially fought "a one-year war twenty times over" rather than developing a coherent long-term strategy for Afghanistan. McMaster identifies four flawed assumptions that prolonged the conflict: that a narrow counterterrorism approach was adequate; that the Taliban was separate from Al-Qaeda and other terrorists; that the Taliban would negotiate in good faith; and that Pakistan would reduce support for terrorist organizations. These assumptions reflected wishful thinking rather than strategic empathy. The reality on the ground was far more complex. By 2019, twenty terrorist groups operated in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, forming an interconnected ecosystem rather than isolated entities. Though these groups sometimes competed, they more often formed alliances pursuing common cause. This ecosystem was deliberately created by Pakistan's military intelligence service (ISI) to suppress ethnic populations and prevent them from finding common cause across the Durand Line. Despite these challenges, Afghanistan had transformed dramatically by 2017. Kabul's population grew from one million to five million as refugees returned, millions voted despite Taliban threats, and education expanded from under 1 million children pre-2001 to 9.3 million by 2017, with 300,000 university students (one-third women). Technology connected Afghans to the world, with 80% having mobile phones and a vibrant media landscape of nearly 100 TV channels and hundreds of radio stations. Yet American leaders consistently undermined these gains through inconsistent policies. The Obama administration's declaration that the war was over in 2014 contradicted the reality that American soldiers alongside Afghan forces still fought ruthless enemies. Time was running out as U.S. troop strength fell from 100,000 in 2011 to merely 8,400 by March 2017. The arbitrary troop cap bore no relation to military objectives, while restrictions on engagement limited effectiveness. "We were still fighting," McMaster writes, "but we were no longer fighting to win."

第 6 章

The Middle East's Cycle of Violence: From Strategic Overreach to Disengagement

The Middle East remains both confounding and wretched, with America's inconsistent policies contributing to the region's catastrophes while diminishing U.S. influence. From Iraq to Syria to Libya, strategic narcissism has produced devastating consequences. After the initial military victory in Iraq, a clandestine Baathist network survived and organized resistance. Iraq's traumatized population and torn social fabric created conditions ripe for insurgency. The Coalition was too slow to adapt as insurgents evolved their tactics from initial attacks on Coalition forces to deadly roadside bombs, infrastructure sabotage, and civilian-targeted terrorism. By February 2004, McMaster's team warned General Abizaid that "the specter of civil war is haunting Iraq." A month later, Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi proposed implementing "the Afghan model"-deliberately triggering sectarian civil war through mass attacks on Shia communities to provoke retribution against Sunnis. This would position AQI as Sunnis' protector and ultimately establish a "jihadist state" to launch attacks against regional and Western enemies. The 2007 "surge" strategy temporarily reversed these trends, breaking the cycle of violence while special operations targeted irreconcilable factions. Within a year of the surge's deployment, violence fell to the lowest levels since 2004. However, the Obama administration's disengagement from Iraq in 2011 removed checks on Prime Minister Maliki's worst inclinations, clearing the way for sectarian violence, Iranian influence, and the rise of ISIS. Similar patterns played out in Libya and Syria. While disengaging from Iraq, the Obama administration intervened in Libya without a plan for what would follow-repeating Iraq's fundamental error. NATO's aerial campaign helped rebels depose Gaddafi, but without efforts to establish security in post-Gaddafi Libya, chaos ensued, allowing terrorist organizations to thrive. In Syria, Obama's decision against intervention had devastating consequences. A multinational security force might have prevented Libya's fragmentation, while no-fly zones in Syria could have mitigated the humanitarian crisis, stemmed refugee flows, constrained Iranian and Russian influence, and impeded ISIS's growth. Instead, the intensifying conflicts created ideal conditions for terrorist expansion.

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

轻松跟读，《战场》中的每个词都会随音频实时高亮。

第 7 章

Iran's Proxy Wars: The Failure of Conciliation

Iran presents a complex threat through its sophisticated proxy networks, with Hezbollah in Lebanon serving as its most powerful and well-organized extension. The Iranian regime's multifaceted strategy extends far beyond traditional military means, systematically using social services, educational institutions, and political influence to forge deep bonds with Shia communities across the Middle East. In Lebanon, Hezbollah operates hospitals, schools, and welfare programs, creating dependency relationships that translate into political loyalty. Similar patterns emerge in Iraq through various militia groups and in Yemen through the Houthi movement. Despite severe economic challenges and domestic unrest, Iran consistently prioritizes its aggressive posture toward Israel and regional dominance. The regime provides an estimated $700 million annually to Hezbollah, while also funding Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and various Iraqi militias. These investments persist even as ordinary Iranians face mounting economic hardship. Tehran's leadership regularly makes explicit threats of Israel's annihilation, with military parades featuring missiles emblazoned with "Death to Israel" in Hebrew. Through six American administrations, from Carter to Biden, diplomatic outreach and goodwill gestures have consistently failed to produce Iranian moderation or reduce regional hostility. The Obama administration's conciliatory approach, culminating in the JCPOA nuclear deal, ultimately undermined international efforts to constrain Iranian aggression. While proponents argued that sanctions relief would moderate Iran's behavior, the estimated $150 billion in unfrozen assets primarily strengthened the Supreme Leader's office, corrupt religious foundations (bonyads), and the Revolutionary Guard's economic empire. The 2019 Gulf Crisis provided stark evidence that the regime's hostility is ideologically foundational, not merely rhetorical posturing. Iran's attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, sophisticated drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities, and the downing of a $130 million U.S. surveillance drone demonstrated both capability and intent. Iranian leaders, particularly emboldened by perceived U.S. and European weakness and division, escalated confrontations while Supreme Leader Khamenei publicly mocked American power, describing the U.S. as "becoming hollow from the inside like what termites do." Moving forward requires a strategy of maximum pressure, forcing Iran's leaders to choose between economic ruin or a truly comprehensive agreement that ends proxy wars and includes robust verification measures. This approach must account for Iran's extensive sanctions-evasion networks and cryptocurrency operations. As pressure mounts, the U.S. and allies must prepare for Iranian escalation across multiple domains, learning from past patterns including sophisticated cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, international assassination attempts, and complex retaliatory plots orchestrated through proxy forces.

第 8 章

North Korea's Nuclear Blackmail: Breaking the Cycle of Failed Negotiations

North Korea's nuclear and missile programs advanced rapidly under Kim Jong-un, with the regime conducting a claimed hydrogen bomb test in January 2016, followed by a satellite launch and multiple missile tests. This acceleration prompted the Obama administration and South Korea to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, creating tension with China and complicating relations with South Korea. McMaster argues that accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea would likely trigger proliferation across Asia, as Japan and South Korea might conclude they need their own nuclear weapons if they doubt America's nuclear umbrella protection. Additionally, North Korea has a documented history of selling every weapon it has possessed, including nuclear technology to Syria (resulting in Israel's 2007 bombing of the Al-Kibar reactor) and missile technology to Iran. By summer 2017, the Trump administration had replaced "strategic patience" with "maximum pressure" to achieve North Korean denuclearization. Despite initial coordination success with South Korea and strong UN sanctions, North Korea conducted seventeen missile tests in 2017, including an ICBM test on July 4th, and a massive 140-kiloton nuclear test in September. The subsequent diplomatic engagement, including the Singapore and Hanoi summits, revealed fundamental misunderstandings on both sides. Kim's team, poorly advised and relying on American TV dramas for insights into U.S. policy-making, believed Trump was desperate for a foreign policy win and would grant sanctions relief for merely symbolic concessions. Trump overestimated his persuasive abilities and underestimated Kim's commitment to Juche ideology, which celebrates deprivation as virtuous. Throughout the diplomatic engagement period, North Korea showed no signs of slowing its nuclear or missile programs. In 2019 alone, it fired twenty-six missiles, the most violations of UN resolutions in a single year. Despite hopes for a breakthrough similar to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Kim remained unwilling to open North Korea to the world, fearing exposure of Juche ideology as fraudulent.

从《战场》中收获更多

每日获取新洞见，探索 10 万+ 条课程内容
文字实时高亮，与音频同步
保存你的书库，在所有设备上随时访问

第 9 章

New Arenas of Competition: Technology, Space, and Climate

Beyond traditional geopolitical contests, new competitive domains are emerging that will shape future security. In February 2017, McMaster's NSC team identified crucial national security challenges spanning both geographic regions and functional domains like cyberspace and space. They recognized America's strategic narcissism had disadvantaged the country in technological and economic competitions vital to future security. The internet's early promise of spreading liberty proved naively optimistic. Even democracies face significant costs: social media companies exploit personal data, platforms amplify division, and people become electronically connected but socially disconnected. Democracies must develop standards and technologies preserving privacy and preventing data misuse. AI technologies will worsen cyber warfare threats as machines learn from data and make decisions without human intervention. Combined with 5G networks and the "internet of things," AI could affect everything from power grids to financial systems. Ransomware attacks have already crippled manufacturers, health networks, and city governments. After the Cold War, America's commitment to space leadership waned, assuming space would become a benign environment for cooperation. This strategic narcissism caused the US to fall behind. After retiring the Space Shuttle in 2011, America became dependent on Russia for manned spaceflight. Meanwhile, China shot down one of its satellites in 2007, and both Russia and China developed counter-space capabilities including anti-satellite weapons. Climate change presents another arena requiring both competition and cooperation. The polluting effects of coal plants in Africa devastate local environments while increasing global carbon emissions. Climate change induces food and water scarcity, spreads disease, and triggers migration crises. In India, 200,000 people die annually from water scarcity while 600 million face severe water stress. Energy presents the greatest opportunity for addressing climate change. The fracking revolution that made cheap natural gas available led to coal's share of U.S. electricity generation dropping from 48% in 2008 to 22% in 2020-the largest reduction in greenhouse gases without government mandates. Advanced nuclear reactors provide another solution-they're grid-capable, more efficient, safer, and recycle used fuel without liquid reprocessing.

第 10 章

Restoring Strategic Competence: Education, Alliances, and Confidence

To enhance strategic competence, America must strengthen its democratic institutions and restore faith in its principles while developing leaders who think historically and understand implementation challenges. Education may be the most crucial investment for future innovation. Today's competitions require unprecedented cooperation among government, academia, and the private sector-not through centralized direction but through shared understanding of what's at stake. McMaster proposes a new initiative similar to the 1958 National Defense Education Act, passed after Sputnik, which prioritized science, history, political science, and language. Given China's advantages in AI and emerging technologies, education reform requires similar urgency today. America must pursue both forms of deterrence: punitive action against aggressors and "deterrence by denial" that convinces adversaries they cannot achieve objectives through aggression. Alliances on the Eurasian landmass and Indo-Pacific are invaluable not just for deterring conflict but for competing short of war, as they pose dilemmas for Russia and China while amplifying America's moral and military capabilities. Effective competition requires not just competence but confidence. Partisan vitriol undermines America's ability to implement bipartisan foreign policy, giving adversaries the impression of weakness. As philosopher Richard Rorty noted, "National pride is to countries what self-respect is to individuals: a necessary condition for self-improvement." America needs civics education that reverses the focus on micro-identities and victimhood to foster broader, integrative identities. Educational curricula should acknowledge both America's failures-subjugation of Native Americans, slavery, Japanese internment, racism, gender inequality-and its virtues, offering a progressive narrative about a Constitution that placed sovereignty with the people and extended rights to previously excluded groups. "The greatest source of national strength," McMaster concludes, "is an educated populace." By rejecting strategic narcissism and embracing strategic empathy, America can navigate the complex challenges of the 21st century while preserving peace and freedom for generations to come.

★★★★★

你已读完《战场》

深受 100 万+ 学习者喜爱

“坚持使用 23 天了，我每天都会打开它。它现在已经成为我的日常习惯。”

jayallen

《战场》核心主题

strategic narcissism
global security threats
foreign policy realism
disinformation warfare
great power competition

《战场》经典语录

Strategy is about how to achieve what you want, and, therefore, must begin with a clear articulation of desired ends.
The gravest threat to security and prosperity is the erosion of knowledge, understanding, and judgment.
We consistently engaged in strategic narcissism.
Putin seeks to tear others down.
Russian disinformation does not create divisions.

《战场》主要人物

H. R. McMasterAuthor and former National Security Advisor
Saddam HusseinFormer leader of Iraq
Robert GatesFormer Secretary of Defense

关于作者

H.R. McMaster（赫伯特·雷蒙德·麦克马斯特）是《Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World》一书的作者，也是一位退役美国陆军中将和畅销书作家，以其在军事战略和国际安全领域的专业见解而闻名。

作为前国家安全顾问（2017-2018年）以及海湾战争和伊拉克战争的退伍军人，麦克马斯特利用数十年的军事和决策经验来分析全球冲突与领导力挑战。他的作品将历史洞察力与当代地缘政治分析相结合，反映了他作为北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校军事历史博士的学术背景，以及此前在西点军校任教的经历。

麦克马斯特极具影响力的著作《Dereliction of Duty》是对越南战争决策过程的批判性研究，至今仍是军事教育的必读书目，也是《纽约时报》畅销书。他经常担任哥伦比亚广播公司新闻（CBS News）的评论员，并为《外交事务》（Foreign Affairs）和《华尔街日报》撰稿，目前担任斯坦福大学胡佛研究所的高级研究员。《Battlegrounds》已被翻译成15种语言，并被全球决策者和安全专业人士引用。他的最新著作《At War With Ourselves》则提供了他在特朗普政府任职期间的第一手记录。

下载《战场》摘要

免费获取《战场》摘要的 PDF 或 EPUB 版本。可打印或随时离线阅读。

用户还喜欢

At War with Ourselves

H. R. McMaster

Ian Bremmer

Graham Allison

Richard Haass

David E. Sanger

John Robb

Hal Brands

George Friedman

关于本书的常见问题

该学习计划的一部分

学习计划

US-Iran Conflict: Past, Present & Future

5 h 49 m•4 集数

学习计划

Géopolitique des USA : de 1776 à nos jours

6 h 17 m•4 集数

发现更多

学习计划

36 Strategies of Power: A War Manual

This course bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern survival, offering a deep dive into the mechanics of influence and tactical superiority. It is essential for leaders, entrepreneurs, and strategists who need to navigate high-stakes environments where psychological insight and political acumen are the primary tools for success.

6 h 4 m•4 章节

学习计划

The Drama of Statecraft and Power

This plan is essential for anyone seeking to understand the mechanics of political authority and the rise of nations. It is ideal for aspiring leaders, history buffs, and policy students wanting to grasp the forces that shape our world.

2 h•4 章节

学习计划

The Biology of Human Empire

This plan bridges the gap between evolutionary biology and historical geopolitics to explain why human societies rise and fall. It is ideal for history buffs, sociologists, and strategists looking to understand the primal drivers of power and systemic collapse.

1 h 30 m•3 章节

学习计划

Power, Blood, and Statecraft

This plan provides a deep dive into the brutal evolution of political authority and the shift from divine right to state sovereignty. It is essential for students of political science, history buffs, or anyone seeking to understand the ruthless mechanics behind how power is seized and held.

1 h 30 m•3 章节

学习计划

Machiavelli for Modern Leaders

This plan is essential for leaders navigating volatile environments where traditional idealism often fails. It provides a pragmatic toolkit for executives and managers who need to master power dynamics, strategic agility, and reputation management to ensure institutional longevity.

2 h•4 章节

学习计划

The Management Shadow: Taleb/Kahneman/Greene

In an era of radical uncertainty, traditional management frameworks often fail because they ignore human irrationality and the impact of rare events. This plan is designed for leaders and strategists who want to master the hidden psychological and systemic forces that govern success and power.

4 h 43 m•4 章节

学习计划

The Human Book: Decoding Hidden Intent

In an era of complex communication, understanding what remains unsaid is a critical competitive advantage. This plan is essential for leaders, negotiators, and recruiters who need to master behavioral baselines, facial analysis, and linguistic markers to navigate high-stakes interactions.

1 h 30 m•3 章节

学习计划

Think like Nassim taleb

In an increasingly volatile world, traditional linear thinking often leads to catastrophic failure. This plan is essential for decision-makers, investors, and strategists who want to move beyond mere resilience and learn to profit from uncertainty.

5 h 30 m•4 章节

由哥伦比亚大学校友在旧金山创建

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

查看更多网络上关于 BeFreed 的讨论

由哥伦比亚大学校友在旧金山创建

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

查看更多网络上关于 BeFreed 的讨论

开启你的学习之旅，就是现在

第 3 章

战场

概述《战场》概述

一本书，多种聆听方式。

A General's Warning: The Fight for Global Security in an Era of Strategic Competition

Strategic Narcissism: America's Self-Defeating Worldview

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

Russia's Firehose of Falsehood: Putin's Campaign to Divide the West

China's Long Game: The CCP's Threat to Freedom and Security

从 《战场》中收获更多

Afghanistan's Endless War: Strategic Failures and Missed Opportunities

The Middle East's Cycle of Violence: From Strategic Overreach to Disengagement

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

Iran's Proxy Wars: The Failure of Conciliation

North Korea's Nuclear Blackmail: Breaking the Cycle of Failed Negotiations

从 《战场》中收获更多

New Arenas of Competition: Technology, Space, and Climate

Restoring Strategic Competence: Education, Alliances, and Confidence

你已读完 《战场》

《战场》核心主题

《战场》经典语录

《战场》主要人物

关于作者

下载《战场》摘要

用户还喜欢

关于本书的常见问题

What is Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World about?

Who should read Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World?

Is Battlegrounds worth reading in 2025?

What are the main ideas in Battlegrounds?

该学习计划的一部分

US-Iran Conflict: Past, Present & Future

Géopolitique des USA : de 1776 à nos jours

发现更多

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

一本书，多种聆听方式。

A General's Warning: The Fight for Global Security in an Era of Strategic Competition

Strategic Narcissism: America's Self-Defeating Worldview

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

Russia's Firehose of Falsehood: Putin's Campaign to Divide the West

China's Long Game: The CCP's Threat to Freedom and Security

从 《战场》中收获更多

Afghanistan's Endless War: Strategic Failures and Missed Opportunities

The Middle East's Cycle of Violence: From Strategic Overreach to Disengagement

边听边看，每个词都清晰呈现

Iran's Proxy Wars: The Failure of Conciliation

North Korea's Nuclear Blackmail: Breaking the Cycle of Failed Negotiations

从 《战场》中收获更多

New Arenas of Competition: Technology, Space, and Climate

Restoring Strategic Competence: Education, Alliances, and Confidence

你已读完 《战场》

用户还喜欢

该学习计划的一部分

US-Iran Conflict: Past, Present & Future

Géopolitique des USA : de 1776 à nos jours

发现更多

《战场》概述

从《战场》中收获更多

从《战场》中收获更多

你已读完《战场》

从《战场》中收获更多

从《战场》中收获更多

你已读完《战场》