http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16733
The use and development of weapons of war is shaped and influenced as much by the glory they confer as their actual (or potential) efficacy. Examples given: lancing foot soldiers from horseback, hunting U-boats (instead of escorting conveys), strategic bombing in daylight without fighter escort, national missile defense.
(Note also the huge list of “reviewed” books—it’s basically a bibliography…)