[bill1952]

other than the total distrust by higher ranks of any underlings having any power

Other than? Other than??

That has to be job one, and is the recipe for building a group of fellows sharing common dress and then pretending that this group is an army.

however I'm now intrigued, and I'll have to read it.

[ReadyNow]

I've read it, and it is a GREAT book. Disregard the static from those who claim "stereotyping," etc. Of COURSE there can't be a description that applies to every single person in a culture. But there CAN be, and are, descriptions that accurately apply to large majorities or supermajorities. This book is one of those.