Ernest R. May

Richard E. Neustadt

Provides a process and framework for using historical knowledge in intelligent decision making, and presents several situations in which world leaders did and did not do this.

The Uses of History for Decision-makers

Thinking in Time

“A convincing case that careful analysis of the history, issues, individuals, and institutions can lead to better decisions—in business as well as in government” (BusinessWeek). Two noted professors offer easily remembered rules for using history effectively in day-to-day management of governmental and corporate affairs to avoid costly blunders. “An illuminating guide to the use and abuse of history in affairs of state” (Arthur Schlesinger).

The Uses Of History For Decision Makers

Thinking In Time

Harvey V. Fineberg

In 1976, a small group of soldiers at Fort Dix were infected with a swine flu virus that was deemed similar to the virus responsible for the great 1918-19 world-wide flu pandemic. The U.S. government initiated an unprecedented effort to immunize every American against the disease. While a qualified success in terms of numbers reached-more than 40 million Americans received the vaccine-the disease never reappeared. The program was marked by controversy, delay, administrative troubles, legal complications, unforeseen side effects and a progressive loss of credibility for public health authorities. In the waning days of the flu season, the incoming Secretary of what was then the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Joseph Califano, asked Richard Neustadt and Harvey Fineberg to examine what happened and to extract lessons to help cope with similar situations in the future. The result was their report, The Swine Flu Affair: Decision-Making on a Slippery Disease.

Decision-making on a Slippery Disease

The Swine Flu Affair

Roy Jenkins

A profile of FDR discusses his personality in light of his flexible political skills, management of the mobilization of the American industrial and military effort, and ability to foster loyalty in those around him.

The American Presidents Series: The 32nd President, 1933-1945

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Rev. ed. of: The swine flu affair. 1978. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Policy-making and the Swine Flu Scare

The Epidemic that Never was

The Swine Flu Affair contains a reconstruction of the events leading up to and surrounding the swine flu immunization program, which has been gathered by combining press accounts, hearings, official files, and interviews with participants. This study will be of value to all who are interested in the process by which large decisions are made.

Richard E. Neustadt

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