S8 Ep1094: Professor William Taubman, guest author, explains that McNamara's intellectual journey began at Berkeley and Harvard Business Sch

Professor William Taubman, guest author, explains that McNamara's intellectual journey began at Berkeley and Harvard Business School, where he was consistently recognized as the "smartest guy" in his class, excelling in economics and mathematics. During a 1939 trip to Europe, he notably failed to realize that WWII was imminent even after hearing Hitler speak in Berlin, an admission that contrasts sharply with his later role as a global military strategist. He eventually married Margie, whose cheerful disposition complemented his analytical rigidity. His expertise in "statistical control" led him to teach military officers at Harvard, a role that eventually brought him to the attention of the defense establishment. McNamara at War: A New History (2)1920 HANOI