Books Quote by David Halberstam
““Day after day we read about them, each new man more brilliant than the last. They were not just an all-star first team, but an all-star second team as well. There were counts kept on how many Rhodes scholars there were in the Administration, how many books by members of the new Administration (even the Postmaster, J. Edward Day, had written a novel, albeit a bad one).””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Best and the Brightest, 1972
The administration is portrayed as exceptionally talented, with many members achieving high academic honors and publishing works.
In simple terms: The team is highly accomplished.
Recognize and value collective expertise.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- team building
- public perception
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does talent translate to results?
- What risks arise from over‑reliance on prestige?
High credentials don’t guarantee effective governance.