Inside the five-sided box: lessons from a lifetime of leadership in the Pentagon

Prologue: Welcome to my world

Part one: A user's guide to the military-industrial complex. How not to waste $700 billion ; Working at war speed ; A scientist in the Pentagon

Part two: Many hands on the tiller. The White House is on the line: serving the President while serving the nation ; A board of directors with 535 members: the arts of dealing with Congress ; Communicating with the press and the public

Part three: Troops in action. Chain of command: how military plans and orders are developed and executed ; Combat readiness in a crisis-prone world ; Clarity of purpose: defeating Isis

Part four: The big picture : defense strategy in a time of transition. Strategic transition: major adversaries on the global chessboard ; The world's hottest hot spots: Iran, Korea, and beyond ; Maintaining America's high-tech edge: a necessity for strategic success

Part five: People matter most. Choosing leaders ; Force of the future ; The troops deserve the truth

Epilogue: a to-do list for a future Secretary.