And this is a specific issue I'd like to talk about. I've been reading Waterloo and one of the reasons Napoleon lost was because he went to sleep so mistakes that never would have occurred were made. Historians credit Napoleon's aging and weary body as the reason he went to sleep during such a crucial moment in the battle.
In addition one of the reasons why torture was used in Algeria including rapes was because French officers were so desperate to prevent bombings on French civilians. Especially when if there's evidence a terrorist attack might come in a day or two. French first person accounts often write about how they were so worried throughout the torture about the bombing happening as they speak. Accounts literally state they feel they are running out of time even if the person being tortured was captured 30 minutes ago and the torture only started 15 minutes ago.
So this makes ask a question. Do many people who analyze the past and criticize them forget they are facing extremely stressful situations? For example despite how pro domino theory people criticize Johnson for not putting as much troops in Vietnam as needed, they ignore he had an immense mental hurdle trying to balance out military actions with his social program? Or how Chamberlain felt stressed about trying find a peaceful solution with Hitler even flying to Germany on a rough rowdy plane DESPITE HAVING a TERMINAL ILLNESS?
Thoughts? I used to criticize historical figures too until I went through the stress of leadership myself as a manager in a restaurant.