"World War II had been such a tremendous success story for this country that the political and military leadership began to assume that they would prevail simply because of who they were. We were like the British at the turn of the 19th century"

This quote by Neil Sheehan is describing the United States' attitude towards World War II. After the success of the war, the political and military management of the United States began to presume that they would always dominate in any dispute due to their power and influence. This mindset resembles the mindset of the British at the turn of the 19th century, when they were the most powerful nation in the world. This quote is a tip that no nation is invincible which even the most effective nations can be defeated. It is a caution against overconfidence and complacency, and a reminder that no country is immune to the effects of war.