Military and defence strategy Books
Skyhorse Publishing No Substitute for Victory: Successful American
Book SynopsisAn important look at how America has won its wars in the past and how it can continue winning in the future.Is there a recipe for military success? In No Substitute for Victory, author David Rigby grapples with this issue and determines that, in the case of the United States, there are a number of different strategies that have brought victory in battle to American forces over the years.In a clear, energetic prose, Rigby explains how the dropping of chocolate bars from airplanes over Berlin turned out to be one of the most successful applications of the Cold War strategy of containment. He argues, too, that far from being a radical change in policy by a desperate President Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation was in fact an essential part of Lincoln’s plan to reunite the nation. While the focus in No Substitute for Victory is on military maneuvers that have been successful, Rigby brilliantly uses the Vietnam War as a touchstone for comparison purposes on how not to fight a war.While the writing of military strategy is a crowded field, Rigby’s approach is unique in that he draws examples from conflicts throughout American history, from the Revolution up through the modern day. Rigby’s ability to find similarities inand to draw conclusions fromthe successes attained by American forces in battles as seemingly dissimilar as Gettysburg and Midway makes No Substitute for Victory essential reading for anyone interested in the riveting history of our nation’s military.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.Trade ReviewDavid Rigby’s pithily written, hard-hitting book neatly encapsulates why the United States has been so successful at warfare over the past two hundred fifty years, and sets down lessons that should be required reading in the military academies and the White House. The product of a lifetime’s research and much profound thought on the subject, No Substitute for Victory also explains how America lost its way in Vietnam. It sets out the five key lessons that need to be learned to reestablish the phenomenon that the world needs more than anything else right now: American greatness.” Andrew Roberts, author of the New York Times bestselling The Storm of War"In No Substitute for Victory Rigby has given us a manual for victory in war based upon an insightful examination of past American successes and strategies. These include (1) Concentrate strength at the decisive point; (2) There is more to strategic success than military power; (3) Strive for clear and consistent war aims; (4) Take advantage of enemy mistakes; and (5) Unity of command. Sun Tzu would not be surprised at these, but so much of our adventures in Afghanistan and Iraq disregarded these requirements. The success of the 2007 surge validated them. Civilian policy makers desperately need this astute analysisthat they never came across in their Ivy League educationsand the military senior ranks always seem to need a refresher course. I cannot recommend this highly enough.” Peter G. Tsouras, military historian, former senior intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, former US Army officer, and author of over twenty booksDavid Rigby’s pithily written, hard-hitting book neatly encapsulates why the United States has been so successful at warfare over the past two hundred fifty years, and sets down lessons that should be required reading in the military academies and the White House. The product of a lifetime’s research and much profound thought on the subject, No Substitute for Victory also explains how America lost its way in Vietnam. It sets out the five key lessons that need to be learned to reestablish the phenomenon that the world needs more than anything else right now: American greatness.” Andrew Roberts, author of the New York Times bestselling The Storm of War"In No Substitute for Victory Rigby has given us a manual for victory in war based upon an insightful examination of past American successes and strategies. These include (1) Concentrate strength at the decisive point; (2) There is more to strategic success than military power; (3) Strive for clear and consistent war aims; (4) Take advantage of enemy mistakes; and (5) Unity of command. Sun Tzu would not be surprised at these, but so much of our adventures in Afghanistan and Iraq disregarded these requirements. The success of the 2007 surge validated them. Civilian policy makers desperately need this astute analysisthat they never came across in their Ivy League educationsand the military senior ranks always seem to need a refresher course. I cannot recommend this highly enough.” Peter G. Tsouras, military historian, former senior intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, former US Army officer, and author of over twenty books
£38.93
Skyhorse Publishing The Safety of the Kingdom: Government Responses
Book SynopsisThe horrendous events of September 11, 2001, heightened awareness of terrorism unlike all but a handful of major catastrophes in American history. Like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and President Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963, 9/11 is a date forever enshrined in our national memory.But 9/11 once again raised the question: What should government do to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of a future attack? How should national leadership balance its responsibility to protect the civil liberties of U.S. citizens with its sworn duty to protect their lives?In The Safety of the Kingdom, J. Michael Martinez takes up the question of how the United States government has responded to terrorist attacks and, in the absence of an attack, the fear of foreign and subversive elements that may harm the nation. In some cases, the government overreaction” led to a series of abuses that amplified the severity of the original threat. Rather than selecting every instance of government reaction to threats, Martinez examines representative cases, from the alien and sedition acts in the eighteenth century to the post-9/11 war on terror.”Edward Snowden’s disclosure of classified information related to the NSA’s surveillance program brought to the fore an important debate about government scrutiny of its citizens. As J. Michael Martinez makes clear in this book, it is a debate that has been ongoing for centuries.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
£34.66
WW Norton & Co The Western Front: A History of the Great War,
Book SynopsisThe Western Front evokes images of mud-spattered men in waterlogged trenches, shielded from artillery blasts and machine-gun fire by a few feet of dirt. This iconic setting was the most critical arena of the Great War, a 400-mile combat zone stretching from Belgium to Switzerland where more than three million Allied and German soldiers struggled during four years of almost continuous combat. It has persisted in our collective memory as a tragic waste of human life and a symbol of the horrors of industrialized warfare. In this epic narrative history, the first volume in a groundbreaking trilogy on the Great War, acclaimed military historian Nick Lloyd captures the horrific fighting on the Western Front beginning with the surprise German invasion of Belgium in August 1914 and taking us to the Armistice of November 1918. Drawing on French, British, German, and American sources, Lloyd weaves a kaleidoscopic chronicle of the Marne, Passchendaele, the Meuse-Argonne, and other critical battles, which reverberated across Europe and the wider war. From the trenches where men as young as 17 suffered and died, to the headquarters behind the lines where Generals Haig, Joffre, Hindenburg, and Pershing developed their plans for battle, Lloyd gives us a view of the war both intimate and strategic, putting us amid the mud and smoke while at the same time depicting the larger stakes of every encounter. He shows us a dejected Kaiser Wilhelm II—soon to be eclipsed in power by his own generals—lamenting the botched Schlieffen Plan; French soldiers piling atop one another in the trenches of Verdun; British infantryman wandering through the frozen wilderness in the days after the Battle of the Somme; and General Erich Ludendorff pursuing a ruthless policy of total war, leading an eleventh-hour attack on Reims even as his men succumbed to the Spanish Flu. As Lloyd reveals, far from a site of attrition and stalemate, the Western Front was a simmering, dynamic “cauldron of war” defined by extraordinary scientific and tactical innovation. It was on the Western Front that the modern technologies—machine guns, mortars, grenades, and howitzers—were refined and developed into effective killing machines. It was on the Western Front that chemical warfare, in the form of poison gas, was first unleashed. And it was on the Western Front that tanks and aircraft were introduced, causing a dramatic shift away from nineteenth-century bayonet tactics toward modern combined arms, reinforced by heavy artillery, that forever changed the face of war. Brimming with vivid detail and insight, The Western Front is a work in the tradition of Barbara Tuchman and John Keegan, Rick Atkinson and Antony Beevor: an authoritative portrait of modern warfare and its far-reaching human and historical consequences.Trade Review"This is a bold book. Nick Lloyd has written a tour de force of scholarship, analysis and narration… If this volume is anything to go by, Lloyd is well on the way to writing a definitive history of the First World War." -- Laurence James - The Times"An admirably clear and judicious narrative of the battlefield course of events…Lloyd’s book will be cherished by military history buffs." -- Max Hastings - The Sunday Times"Distinguished by its trenchant observations and massive level of detail marshaled into a fluid narrative, this is a sterling record of WWI’s most consequential theater." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Lloyd’s keen insights and engaging prose make the book a valuable addition to the literature." -- Kirkus Reviews"This well-researched, well-written and cogently argued new analysis overturns all our assumptions and received wisdom about the fighting on the most important front of the Great War. Nick Lloyd deserves congratulation for having written what will undoubtedly now take its rightful place as the standard account of this vital theatre of the conflict." -- Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking With Destiny"Although a non-specialist in the history of World War I, I have sought to learn as much as possible about that epochal calamity that cast a dark shadow over the subsequent century. At the core of a generation's agony was the Western Front, which I never fully understood until I read Nick Lloyd's comprehensive, lucid, and evocative narrative that made starkly clear what had previously been a confusing jumble." -- James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era"An enthralling read. Lloyd deftly guides us through a labyrinth of military detail while never allowing the pace of his narrative to slacken. His account of France’s role on the Western Front, often less well documented in Anglo-Saxon accounts, is particularly revealing. Most of us are familiar with the names of the generals involved, but Lloyd brings them sharply to life with his sensitive portrayal of their personalities, idiosyncrasies and relationships with one another. This is an endlessly complex subject to which Lloyd has brought welcome lucidity while never for one moment allowing us to forget the enormity of its tragedy." -- Julia Boyd, author of Travelers in the Third Reich: The Rise of Fascism Through The Eyes of Everyday People"There were many fronts in World War I, but the Western Front, where the industrialized great powers massed their men and resources, was the crucial one. Nick Lloyd has given us the most up-to-date account of the fighting there. He brings the key statesmen and generals to life, as well as the brutal combat from the first battles to the last. Lloyd crisply details the tactical and technological innovation that brought victory, as well as the coalition strategy, economic warfare, and home front management that boosted the Allies and disintegrated the Central Powers." -- Geoffrey Wawro, author of Sons of Freedom and director of the University of North Texas Military History Center
£25.00
Nova Science Publishers Inc Department of Homeland Security Management of
Book SynopsisThe Department of Homeland Security''s (DHS) mission includes law enforcement elements, which require the department, through its components, to manage various types of firearms. DHS''s annual ammunition purchases have declined since fiscal year 2009 and are comparable in number to the Department of Justice''s (DOJ) ammunition purchases. In fiscal year 2013, DHS purchased 84 million rounds of ammunition, which is less than DHS''s ammunition purchases over the past 5 fiscal years. DHS component officials said the decline in ammunition purchases in fiscal year 2013 was primarily a result of budget constraints, which meant reducing the number of training classes, and drawing on their ammunition inventories. This book addresses trends in DHS''s ammunition purchases since fiscal year 2008, how DHS''s purchases compare with DOJ''s, and what factors affect DHS''s purchase decisions.
£63.74
Nova Science Publishers Inc Domestic Drones: Elements & Considerations for
Book SynopsisThe integration of drones into U.S. skies is expected by many to yield significant commercial and societal benefits. Drones could be employed to inspect pipelines, survey crops, and monitor the weather. One newspaper has already used a drone to survey storm damage, and real estate agents have used them to survey property. In short, the extent of their potential domestic application is bound only by human ingenuity. This book explores some of the legal issues that will inevitably generate with the introduction of drones into U.S. skies. This book also discusses the fourth amendment''s implications and legislative responses; background and considerations for Congress of drones in domestic surveillance operations and pilotless drones; and provides a report to Congress on future unmanned aircraft systems training, operations, and sustainability.
£122.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Department of Defense Support of Civil
Book SynopsisU.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) are updating their existing civil support plans to include a complex catastrophe scenario, as directed by the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. However, the commands are delaying the identification of capabilities that could be provided to execute the plans until the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the lead federal response agency, completes its regional planning efforts in 2018. This book assesses the extent to which DOD has planned for and identified capabilities to respond to complex catastrophes; and established a command and control construct for complex catastrophes and other multistate incidents. It also establishes Department of Defense (DoD) priorities in the areas of homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities through 2020, consistent with the president''s National Security Strategy and the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance.
£63.74
Prometheus Books Divided on D-Day: How Conflicts and Rivalries
Book SynopsisTwo historians--one American and one British--examine the ways in which rivalries and personality conflicts among Allied commanders adversely affected the D-Day invasion and its aftermath. In anticipation of the 75th anniversary of D-Day comes this fresh perspective on the Normandy invasion -- -the beginning of the end of World War II. The book highlights the conflicting egos, national rivalries, and professional abilities of the principal D-Day commanders who planned and executed the OVERLORD Operation and its aftermath. Two historians, one American and one British, show how lack of cooperation and bad decisions lengthened the war, increased casualties, and allowed the later Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. From their in-depth analysis of past D-Day literature, primary and archival sources, the authors provide insightful answers to the many controversies that have long surrounded the OVERLORD campaign. Among the questions addressed are: What caused the two-month delay for the Allied breakout from the Normandy beachhead. Why did the bulk of the German army escape from the Falaise Pocket? Who stopped Patton's August 1944 advance into Germany? Why did it take so long to open the Port of Antwerp needed for securing the required supplies for the Allied advance into Germany? The evidence presented in this book makes it clear that the problems raised by these questions and many other difficulties could have been avoided if the Allied commanders had been less contentious, a factor that sometimes led to catastrophic battlefield outcomes. Complete with maps that illustrate the campaign's progression and photographs of the commanders and the forbidding battlefield terrain, this new examination of the war in Europe makes a major contribution to our understanding of the decision-making behind these pivotal historic events.
£18.99
Prometheus Books Henry Knox's Noble Train: The Story of a Boston
Book SynopsisThe inspiring story of a little-known hero's pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War During the brutal winter of 1775-1776, an untested Boston bookseller named Henry Knox commandeered an oxen train hauling sixty tons of cannons and other artillery from Fort Ticonderoga near the Canadian border. He and his men journeyed some three hundred miles south and east over frozen, often-treacherous terrain to supply George Washington for his attack of British troops occupying Boston. The result was the British surrender of Boston and the first major victory for the Colonial Army. This is one of the great stories of the American Revolution, still little known by comparison with the more famous battles of Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill. Told with a novelist's feel for narrative, character, and vivid description, The Noble Train brings to life the events and people at a time when the ragtag American rebels were in a desperate situation. Washington's army was withering away from desertion and expiring enlistments. Typhoid fever, typhus, and dysentery were taking a terrible toll. There was little hope of dislodging British General Howe and his 20,000 British troops in Boston--until Henry Knox arrived with his supply convoy of heavy armaments. Firing down on the city from the surrounding Dorchester Heights, these weapons created a decisive turning point. An act of near desperation fueled by courage, daring, and sheer tenacity led to a tremendous victory for the cause of independence. This exciting tale of daunting odds and undaunted determination highlights a pivotal episode that changed history.
£23.61
Prometheus Books Divided on D-Day: How Leadership Failures
Book SynopsisTwo historians--one American and one British--examine the ways in which rivalries and personality conflicts among Allied commanders adversely affected the D-Day invasion and its aftermath.In anticipation of the 75th anniversary of D-Day comes this fresh perspective on the Normandy invasion -- -the beginning of the end of World War II. The book highlights the conflicting egos, national rivalries, and professional abilities of the principal D-Day commanders who planned and executed the OVERLORD Operation and its aftermath. Two historians, one American and one British, show how lack of cooperation and bad decisions lengthened the war, increased casualties, and allowed the later Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.From their in-depth analysis of past D-Day literature, primary and archival sources, the authors provide insightful answers to the many controversies that have long surrounded the OVERLORD campaign. Among the questions addressed are: What caused the two-month delay for the Allied breakout from the Normandy beachhead. Why did the bulk of the German army escape from the Falaise Pocket? Who stopped Patton's August 1944 advance into Germany? Why did it take so long to open the Port of Antwerp needed for securing the required supplies for the Allied advance into Germany?The evidence presented in this book makes it clear that the problems raised by these questions and many other difficulties could have been avoided if the Allied commanders had been less contentious, a factor that sometimes led to catastrophic battlefield outcomes. Complete with maps that illustrate the campaign's progression and photographs of the commanders and the forbidding battlefield terrain, this new examination of the war in Europe makes a major contribution to our understanding of the decision-making behind these pivotal historic events.Trade Review""Another Anglo-American triumph! In Divided on D-Day, Edward E. Gordon and David Ramsay storm history's beaches and shatter lingering myths about the greatest amphibious invasion of all time. Churchill, Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery, and the rest receive an honest appraisal by an exceptional British-American team of historians. Rich in detail, Divided on D-Day blends operational grandeur with the clashing personalities of Operation Overlord's leaders.” —Jonathan W. Jordan, bestselling author of Brothers, Rivals, Victors and American Warlords “Bold and engaging, Divided on D-Day brings renewed attention to the personalities surrounding Operation Overlord and the Allied campaigns in France and the Low Countries during World War II. With its share of heroes, including Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Montgomery, and the often overlooked Sir Bertram Ramsay, this book does not necessarily overturn existing historiography but highlights interpersonal conflicts, especially those stemming from Montgomery, which hampered Allied efforts before, during, and after the Normandy landings. Although some would disagree with the idea that the Germans were broadly better than the Allies at the tactical level, the adverse effects of the rivalries between various Allied commanders is hard to dispute, even if, as Gordon and Ramsay note, the Allies were less dysfunctional than the German Wehrmacht. A quick and lively read.” —James Villanueva, captain, US Army“This fast-paced and engrossing study of the Normandy campaign's major leaders illustrates how the interaction of their heavyweight personalities shaped the results. Edward E. Gordon and David Ramsay know their facts, and readers will enjoy assessing their conclusions.”—David Freeman, editor, Finest Hour, journal of the International Churchill Society“This is one of the most profound what-if books written on World War II.”—Alan Axelrod, author of The Real History of World War II and Patton's Drive“References to the Anglo-American ‘special relationship' notwithstanding, the partnership between Britain and the United States during World War II was marked by frequent disagreements, quarrels, and even occasional bitterness. Each country needed the other, of course, so the disputes never quite derailed the alliance. In this new book, two scholars—one American and one British (in fact, the son of the Allied naval commander at Normandy, Sir Bertram Ramsay)—show just how close the Allies came to fracturing. The authors' vivid portraits of the key figures in the D-Day campaign are entirely convincing.” —Craig L. Symonds, author of Neptune: The Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings “A meticulously researched examination of the key personalities in the Normandy campaign and their campaign highs and lows. Some readers will disagree with the authors' assessments, but with hundreds of supporting quotes from participants, the authors have provided substance and weight to their arguments. None of the Allied commanders were without flaws, and with the events seventy-three years in the past, it is time for a fresh study. Provocative and sometimes scathing, this book will create debate and reevaluation, and that can only be a positive thing.”—Paul Woodadge, Normandy tour guide and author
£16.19
Skyhorse Publishing The Military Maxims of Napoleon
Book Synopsis
£10.44
Nova Science Publishers Inc Diplomatic Security Abroad: Background & Selected
Book Synopsis
£122.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Cooperative Threat Reduction: Evolution, Issues,
Book SynopsisThe United States uses a number of policy tools to address the threat of attack using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. These include a set of financial and technical programs known, variously, as cooperative threat reduction (CTR) programs, nonproliferation assistance, or, global security engagement. Congress has supported these programs over the years, but has raised a number of questions about their implementation and their future direction. Over the years, the CTR effort shifted from an emergency response to impending chaos in the Soviet Union to a broader program seeking to keep CBRN weapons away from rogue nations or terrorist groups. It has also grown from a DOD-centered effort to include projects funded by the Department of Defense (DOD), the State Department, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This book summarizes cooperative activities conducted during the full 20 years of U.S. threat reduction and nonproliferation assistance. It also provides basic information on the Global Security Contingency Fund (GSCF) legislation.
£122.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Department of Defense's Global Distribution
Book SynopsisTo measure the performance of its global distribution pipeline, the Department of Defense (DOD) has established three metrics: (1) logistics response time -- number of days between the time a customer submits an order and receives it, (2) customer wait time -- number of days between the time a maintenance unit, a subset of customers, submits an order and receives it, and (3) time-definite delivery -- a measure of the probability that a customer will receive an order within an established logistics response time. However, these metrics do not provide decision makers with a complete representation of performance across the entire global distribution pipeline. This book assesses the extent to which DOD has established metrics for its distribution performance; is able to accurately measure its performance against distribution standards; and has taken actions to identify causes and develop solutions for any gaps in distribution. Furthermore, the book reviews the extent to which DOD has developed and implemented corrective action plans that address challenges in the three focus areas; an effective program for monitoring and validating the effectiveness and sustainability of supply chain management corrective actions; and an ability to demonstrate supply chain management progress.
£67.99
Bloomsbury Publishing USA Winning Independence: The Decisive Years of the
Book Synopsis
£32.00
Casemate Publishers Flawed Commanders and Strategy in the Battles for
Book SynopsisWars never run according to plan, perhaps never more so than during the Italian campaign, 1943-45, where necessary coordination between the different armies added additional complexity to Allied plans. Errors in the strategies, tactics, the coalition tensions, and operations at campaign command level can be clearly seen in first-hand accounts of the period. This new account examines the Italian campaign, from Sicily to surrender in 1945, exploring the strategy, intentions, motives, plans, and deeds. It then offers a detailed insight into the five commanders who led the battles in Italy - the two British commanders: Montgomery and Alexander; two American: Patton and Clark; and the leading German commander, Field Marshal Kesselring. Their personal notes and accounts, taken alongside archival material, provides some surprising conclusions - Montgomery was not quite the master of war he is portrayed as; Patton had serious flaws, exposed by wasting men’s lives to save a relative and overlooking the shooting of prisoners of war; Clark lost lives to bolster his image; Alexander the gentleman was far too vague to be effective as a senior leader. Meanwhile, condemned war criminal Kesselring appears to be the most efficient and also, like Alexander, one of the most popular leaders.Trade ReviewCompelling arguments and interesting characters make for a good read. * Goodreads *[A]n iconoclastic study that is a remarkable work of seminal scholarship. * Midwest Book Review *[C]auses you to consider alternate options for the invasion of Sicily and Italy. * Historical Miniatures Gaming Society *The authors offer a very different perspective on this campaign and are very frank in their assessment of the performance of the Allies and Germans on many levels. * New York Journal of Books *[A] well-done piece of historical writing – incisive if contentious at times, and stimulating as a thought piece on contemporary military leadership styles. * Author Robert Forczyk *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Western Allied Strategy German-Italian Strategy Operation Husky and Sicily Patton Italy Invaded Montgomery To Rome Mark Clark The D-Day Dodgers After Rome Alexander The End of the War In Italy Kesselring Conclusion Bibliography Endnotes Index
£25.00
Peter Lang Publishing Inc A History of Traditional Chinese Military Science
Book SynopsisA History of Traditional Chinese Military Science provides a clear and informative survey of traditional Chinese military theory and examines its distinct character in different eras, starting from the primitive time to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Special emphasis is laid on the exploration of dynamics that goes into shaping military theory and culture in ancient China. Apart from representative military works, figures and battle cases, the book draws on military system, technology, tactics, army formations, military topography as well as cultural and archaeological insights. This not only enriches the scope of study and enlivens the narrative, but also makes it an ideal companion for military scholars and anyone interested in Chinese history and military culture.Table of ContentsPreface to the English Translation – Introduction – The Emergence of Warfare and Military Thought in the Xia and Shang Dynasties – The Military Theory and Culture in the West Zhou Dynasty – The Development of Military Tactics and Theory in the Spring and Autumn Period – The Theoretical System in The Art of War – The Prosperity of Military Theory in the Warring States Period – The Military Theory of Pre-Qin Scholars – The Achievements of Military Science in the Qin and Han Dynasties – Military Science in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties – Military Theory in the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties – Military Science in the Song Dynasty – The Communication and Integration of Military Science Among Multiple Ethnic Groups – Military Science in the Ming Dynasty: From Prosperity to Decline – The Coastal Defence Strategy and Qi Jiguang’s Contribution to Military Science – The Use of Firearms and the New Look of Military Theory – The End of Traditional Chinese Military Science – Coastal Defence and Naval Construction in the Qing Dynasty – The Transition of Modern Chinese Military Science and Its Significance – Selected Bibliography – Index of People – Index of Important Terms.
£66.60
Bullfrog Books Los Perros Militares (Military Dogs)
Book Synopsis
£28.49
Potomac Books Inc Strategy Strikes Back: How Star Wars Explains
Book SynopsisThe most successful film franchise of all time, Star Wars thrillingly depicts an epic multigenerational conflict fought a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But the Star Wars saga has as much to say about successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Strategy Strikes Back brings together more than thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals, policy advisors, seasoned diplomats, counterinsurgency strategists, science fiction writers, war journalists, and ground-level military officers, to explain the strategy and the art of war by way of the Star Wars films. Each chapter of Strategy Strikes Back provides a relatable, outside-the-box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. Strategy Strikes Back gives Star Wars fans and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding many facets of modern warfare in a book as captivating as Star Wars itself. Trade Review"Illuminating."—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs“Over the course of history, our single greatest vulnerability has been a failure of imagination. Strategy Strikes Back confronts that vulnerability. The future may not evolve precisely as these authors suggest, but evolve it will. As it does, we will discover that some of tomorrow’s challenges will prove to be timeless, and others surprisingly new. Learning to imagine now will be time well spent.”—Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff"This assortment of imaginative and fun analyses is an absolute essential for any military theorist, strategist, critic, and lover of the Star Wars saga that to this day, continues to inspire, expand, and hold a profound sway in our imaginations."—Christopher S. Poppleton, Aviation Digest“Star Wars is just as much a foundational mythology of our time as The Iliad was a long time ago. Strategy Strikes Back ingeniously uses that world far, far away to help readers take a look at our wars here today.”—P. W. Singer, best-selling author of Wired for War and coauthor of Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War"You might be forgiven for thinking the never-ending Star Wars franchise was simply a cash cow built of sequels, spin-offs and toys. But the space saga is actually helping further the discussion about military strategy right here on Earth."—Chad Jones, San Francisco Chronicle"Anyone with a basic knowledge of the Star Wars universe is sure to enjoy the creative parallels used by these esteemed authors to simplify complex topics. Avid fans with deep knowledge of this universe cannot help but embrace these parallels, think through them more deeply, and dig even deeper into them as they try to support or argue against the authors while also showing off their superior knowledge of their favorite series of movies."—Steve Luczynski, Strategy Bridge"Strategy Strikes Back succeeds . . . in illuminating the parallels between war-fighting in speculative fiction and the real world. It opens strategic thinking to non-expert audiences, and prompts experts to reason creatively about the role of force—and indeed the Force—in establishing and maintaining political order."—Stephen Dyson, H-Diplo"Strategy Strikes Back highlights what good science fiction and serious reflection on pop culture can do: bring the (strategic) dilemmas of the current age into stark relief."—Erin Simpson, War on the Rocks"This may be the most innovative and interesting book on military strategy ever published. . . . This volume takes a completely different approach to explaining both the eternal nature and modern intricacies of strategy, politics, and conflict by using the popular Star Wars movies as a common frame of reference for discussing the many issues and challenges modern practitioners of the strategic arts face."—Jerry Lenaburg, New York Journal of BooksTable of ContentsForeword Stanley McChrystal Preface ML Cavanaugh Introduction Max Brooks Part 1. Society and War 1. The Case for Planet Building on Endor Max Brooks 2. The Jedi and the Senate Jim Golby 3. Distant Warriors: Are Clones and Troops Too Separate from the Societies They Serve? Crispin J. Burke 4. On Destroying Alderaan Mick Cook 5. Civil-Military Relationships in Star Wars Daniel D. Maurer 6. How General Grievous and Vulture Droids Foreshadow Conflict’s Fast Future Raq Winchester and Fran Wilde 7. From Princess to General: The On- and Offscreen Rise of the Woman Warrior Erica Iverson Part 2. Preparation for War 8. Tarkin Doctrine: The Empire’s Theory of Victory Kelsey D. Atherton 9. How Not to Build an Army: The Empire’s Flawed Military Force Mick Ryan 10. The Jedi and the Profession of Arms Steve Leonard 11. The Right Fleet: Starships for Strategic Purpose BJ Armstrong 12. Why We Need Space Marines B. A. Friedman 13. Jedi Mind Tricks: From the Reel to the Real Jean Marie Ward 14. Lightsabers and Death Stars: Military-Technology Lessons from Star Wars Dan Ward Part 3. Waging a War 15. Hybrid Star Wars: The Battle of Endor James Stavridis and Colin Steele 16. Han, Greedo, and a Strategy of Prevention Chuck Bies 17. The Logic of Strategy in Space Steve Metz 18. Darth Vader and Mission Command Jonathan Bratten 19. The Battle of Hoth: A Critical Analysis Andrew Liptak 20. Why Military Forces Adapt, Even in a Galaxy Far, Far Away Chuck Bies 21. Dispatch from Hoth: When the Blood Runs Cold August Cole Part 4. Assessment of War 22. Darth Vader’s Failed Counterinsurgency Strategy Liam Collins 23. Why the Jedi Won Fights, Not Wars John Spencer 24. Why the Galactic Republic Fell: An Imperial-Network Perspective Van Jackson 25. Why the Empire Failed Theresa Hitchens 26. Star Wars, Cyclical History, and Implications for Strategy Kathleen J. McInnis 27. Suffer, the Weak Must: A History of the Galactic Civil War Craig Whiteside 28. A Strategist, Yoda Was Not ML Cavanaugh Epilogue: The Lessons of Star Wars ML Cavanaugh Contributors
£18.04
Potomac Books Inc Winning Westeros: How Game of Thrones Explains
Book SynopsisSet in the fictitious world of Westeros, the hit television series Game of Thrones chronicles the bitter and violent struggle between the realm’s noble dynasties for control of the Seven Kingdoms. But this beloved fantasy drama has just as much to say about the successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Winning Westeros brings together more than thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals and admirals, policy advisors, counterinsurgency tacticians, science fiction and fantasy writers, and ground-level military officers, to explain the strategy and art of war by way of the Game of Thrones saga. Each chapter provides a relatable, outside‑the‑box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A book as captivating and enthralling as Game of Thrones itself, Winning Westeros gives fans of the show and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding the many facets of modern warfare. Trade Review“Fans of Game of Thrones interested in the insights of modern strategic thinkers will enjoy this book. . . . Illuminating readers’ blind spots is where fiction can truly help strategic thinkers get outside the box, and this is where Winning Westeros has the biggest impact.”—Jessica Dawson, Res Militaris “Winning Westeros makes understanding military history and strategy accessible and fun. These incisive and creative essays help readers think clearly about diplomacy, conflict, warfare, and the range of complex competitions that influence our security and prosperity today.”—Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H. R. McMaster, former national security advisor and author of Dereliction of Duty Table of ContentsForeword James Stavridis Part 1. People and War 1. Mycah’s Parents Didn’t Get a Vote Max Brooks 2. A House to Be Feared Jonathan P. Klug 3. Fear or Love: Insights from Machiavelli for Those Who Seek the Iron Throne Liam Collins 4. The Source of Tyrion Lannister’s Unlikely Survival and Success Joe Byerly 5. The Mother of Dragons: Defiant Leadership for Uncertain Times Rick Montcalm 6. Lessons for Command from Khaleesi’s Rise Erica Iverson 7. From Brienne of Tarth to Lyanna Mormont: Shifting Attitudes about Women in Combat Kelsey Cipolla 8. You Know Something, Jon Snow, about the Qualities of a Strategic Leader P. W. Singer and ML Cavanaugh Part 2. Technology and War 9. The Lessons of Viserion and Technological Advantage Jonathan E. Czarnecki 10. Game of Pwns: Baelish and Varys as Drivers of Modern Conflict Nina A. Kollars 11. WMD in Westeros and Beyond Magnus F. Nordenman 12. The Influence of Sea Power on Westeros Michael Junge 13. Winning the Waves: Sea Power and the Seven Kingdoms Bryan McGrath 14. What the Walls of Westeros Teach Us about War and Warfare John Spencer Part 3. Combat and War 15. Siege Warfare in the Seven Kingdoms Lionel Beehner, Benedetta Berti, and Mike Jackson 16. Dragons, Dothraki, and Achieving Victory in Battle Mick Cook 17. The Wildlings at the Wall: When Climate Drives Conflict J. Daniel Batt 18. Shock and Chaos: Psychological Weapons of War in Westeros and Our World Gregory S. Drobny 19. How to Fight the Lannister Armies Joshua D. Powers and Jonathan Bott 20. Becoming No One: Human Intelligence in the Seven Kingdoms Andrea N. Goldstein 21. The Battle of the Bastards and the Importance of the Reserve Jess Ward Part 4. Strategy and War 22. The Myth of the Accidental Strategist Steve Leonard 23. Why the Westerosi Can’t Win Wars Chuck Bies 24. Strategic Storytelling in Game of Thrones Jaym Gates 25. Resources, War, and the Night King’s Deadly Arithmetic Andrew A. Hill 26. The Red Wedding and the Power of Norms Theresa Hitchens 27. Daenerys Targaryen’s Coalitions for War Mick Ryan 28. Arya Stark’s Targeted Killing and Strategic Decision-Making Craig Whiteside 29. Ned Stark, Hero of the Seven Kingdoms, and Why the Good Guys Win (in the End) ML Cavanaugh 30. White Walkers and the Nature of War Paul Scharre Epilogue: Down from the Citadel, Off the Wall ML Cavanaugh Contributors
£17.09
Georgetown University Press Other People's Wars: The US Military and the
Book SynopsisCase studies explore how to improve military adaptation and preparedness in peacetime by investigating foreign wars Preparing for the next war at an unknown date against an undetermined opponent is a difficult undertaking with extremely high stakes. Even the most detailed exercises and wargames do not truly simulate combat and the fog of war. Thus, outside of their own combat, militaries have studied foreign wars as a valuable source of battlefield information. The effectiveness of this learning process, however, has rarely been evaluated across different periods and contexts. Through a series of in-depth case studies of the US Army, Navy, and Air Force, Brent L. Sterling creates a better understanding of the dynamics of learning from “other people’s wars,” determining what types of knowledge can be gained from foreign wars, identifying common pitfalls, and proposing solutions to maximize the benefits for doctrine, organization, training, and equipment. Other People’s Wars explores major US efforts involving direct observation missions and post-conflict investigations at key junctures for the US armed forces: the Crimean War (1854–56), Russo-Japanese War (1904–5), Spanish Civil War (1936–39), and Yom Kippur War (1973), which preceded the US Civil War, First and Second World Wars, and major army and air force reforms of the 1970s, respectively. The case studies identify learning pitfalls but also show that initiatives to learn from other nations’ wars can yield significant benefits if the right conditions are met. Sterling puts forth a process that emphasizes comprehensive qualitative learning to foster better military preparedness and adaptability.Trade ReviewOther People's Wars: The US Military and the Challenge of Learning from Foreign Conflicts is an extraordinary contribution to community, college and university library Military Strategy and National/International Security collections and supplemental studies curriculums. * Midwest Book Review *Military professionals – and, for that matter, interested amateurs – who seek to explore the issue of how the Yom Kippur War, particularly the issue of how the experience of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) during that war, moulded the armed forces of the United States are enthusiastically encouraged to consult Sterling’s book, as are those professionals and amateurs concerned more broadly with the impact of foreign wars on these forces. * Israel Affairs *Table of ContentsList of Maps Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Crimean War: Partial but Precedent-Setting Probe 2. The Russo-Japanese War: Enthusiastic but Encumbered Exploration 3. The Spanish Civil War: Desired but Disputed Data 4. The Yom Kippur War: Ferocious and Fortuitous Fight Conclusion Selected Bibliography Index About the Author
£86.40
Georgetown University Press Other People's Wars: The US Military and the
Book SynopsisCase studies explore how to improve military adaptation and preparedness in peacetime by investigating foreign wars Preparing for the next war at an unknown date against an undetermined opponent is a difficult undertaking with extremely high stakes. Even the most detailed exercises and wargames do not truly simulate combat and the fog of war. Thus, outside of their own combat, militaries have studied foreign wars as a valuable source of battlefield information. The effectiveness of this learning process, however, has rarely been evaluated across different periods and contexts. Through a series of in-depth case studies of the US Army, Navy, and Air Force, Brent L. Sterling creates a better understanding of the dynamics of learning from “other people’s wars,” determining what types of knowledge can be gained from foreign wars, identifying common pitfalls, and proposing solutions to maximize the benefits for doctrine, organization, training, and equipment. Other People’s Wars explores major US efforts involving direct observation missions and post-conflict investigations at key junctures for the US armed forces: the Crimean War (1854–56), Russo-Japanese War (1904–5), Spanish Civil War (1936–39), and Yom Kippur War (1973), which preceded the US Civil War, First and Second World Wars, and major army and air force reforms of the 1970s, respectively. The case studies identify learning pitfalls but also show that initiatives to learn from other nations’ wars can yield significant benefits if the right conditions are met. Sterling puts forth a process that emphasizes comprehensive qualitative learning to foster better military preparedness and adaptability.Trade ReviewOther People's Wars: The US Military and the Challenge of Learning from Foreign Conflicts is an extraordinary contribution to community, college and university library Military Strategy and National/International Security collections and supplemental studies curriculums. * Midwest Book Review *Military professionals – and, for that matter, interested amateurs – who seek to explore the issue of how the Yom Kippur War, particularly the issue of how the experience of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) during that war, moulded the armed forces of the United States are enthusiastically encouraged to consult Sterling’s book, as are those professionals and amateurs concerned more broadly with the impact of foreign wars on these forces. * Israel Affairs *Table of ContentsList of Maps Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Crimean War: Partial but Precedent-Setting Probe 2. The Russo-Japanese War: Enthusiastic but Encumbered Exploration 3. The Spanish Civil War: Desired but Disputed Data 4. The Yom Kippur War: Ferocious and Fortuitous Fight Conclusion Selected Bibliography Index About the Author
£30.40
Georgetown University Press The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific:
Book SynopsisA new framework contextualizes crucial international security issues at sea in the Indo-Pacific Competition at sea is once again a central issue of international security. Nowhere is the urgency to address state-on-state competition at sea more strongly felt than in the Indo-Pacific region, where freedom of navigation is challenged by regional states’ continuous investments in naval power, and the renewed political will to use it to undermine its principles. The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific provides an original framework in which five “factors of influence” explain how and why naval power matters in this pivotal part of the world. An international group of contributors make the case that these five factors draw upon a longstanding influence of naval power on regional dynamics and impact the extent to which different states in the region use naval power: the capacity to exert control over sea-lanes, the capacity to deploy a nuclear deterrent at sea, the capacity to implement the law of the sea in an advantageous way, the ability to control marine resources, and the capacity for technological innovation. The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific offers a fresh approach for academics and policy makers seeking to navigate the complexity of maritime security and regional affairs.Trade ReviewAn impressively timely contribution to our military strategy debates with respect to dealing with Chinese naval aggression in the Indo-Pacific, a new framework contextualizes crucial international security issues at sea. * Midwest Book Review *The New Age of Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific is a most incisive and valuable study, defining maritime power as a control feature of regional security. The book's contributors provide a comprehensive macro-overview with interlinked sub-regional analyses. * Australian Naval Institute *Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsForeword: Vice Adm. Anne Rondeau, (USN, Ret.)AcknowledgmentsList of Acronyms1. Naval Power and a Framework for Regional Security in the Indo-PacificAlessio Patalano, James A. Russell, and Catherine L. Grant Part I: The Factors of Influence in Indo-Pacific Security2. Geopolitics and Strategic Geography in Sino-US CompetitionChristopher Twomey3. Law, Order, and Maritime (In)StabilityPeter Dutton4. Maritime Resources and Regional CompetitionClive Schofield5. Nuclear Order at SeaNicola Leveringhaus6. Technology, Escalation, and War in the Indo-PacificJames A. Russell Part II: Naval Power in the Indo-Pacific as History7. Asian States and Early Imperial Competition in the Indian OceanRyan Gingeras8. The “Problem of Asia” and Imperial Competition before WWIRichard Dunley9. The Far East Between the World WarsDaniel Moran 10. Superpower Rivalry and the Strategic Balance in the Cold WarKevin Rowlands Part III: Naval Power and Contemporary Security in the Indo-Pacific 11. Northeast AsiaIan Bowers12. East and South China SeasAlessio Patalano and Julie Marionneau13. The Taiwan StraitSheryn Lee14. South PacificJames Goldrick15. Indian OceanJames Wirtz and Abhijit SinghConclusions: Strategy, Order, and Regional Security in the Indo-PacificAlessio Patalano, James A. Russell, and Catherine L. GrantIndexList of Contributors
£93.92
Georgetown University Press Hezbollah
Book Synopsis
£22.80
Georgetown University Press Russian Military Thought
£71.10
Georgetown University Press Russian Military Thought
£23.85
Captivating History Spartans: A Captivating Guide to the Fierce
Book Synopsis
£23.99
Texas A&M University Press A Search for Strategy
Book SynopsisA hallmark of history surrounding Winston Churchill and World War II is that the British-American alliance comprised a special relationship of military, political, social, and cultural connections between the British Empire and the United States. Stressing the intimate collaboration between the American and British military advisors on the Combined Chiefs of Staff, Churchill emphasized policy consensus and downplayed any dissension or disagreements in allied war councils. In A Search for Strategy: British-American Military Collaboration in 1942, John F. Shortal argues that this special relationship did not exist in 1942. At the Arcadia Conference, from December 1941 to January 1942, Prime Minister Churchill and President Franklin Roosevelt developed a strong personal relationship, having more in common with one another than with their own military advisors. The American and British chiefs likewise seemed to agree with each other more than they did with their respective civilian heads of state on the appropriate short-term strategy. However, serious mistrust and prejudice existed among staff officers of both nations as they focused on national goals and objectives. According to Shortal, unwillingness to compromise almost tore the fledgling British-American Alliance apart in 1942. Drawing on international archival material from governmental sources, Shortal offers an in-depth analysis of the reasoning and rationale of the United States and Great Britain during the first year of the British-American Alliance. A Search for Strategy gives readers a month-by-month breakdown of diplomatic and military policies to fully appreciate the relationship forged between the allied chieftains to ensure national war aims while cooperating in World War II.
£37.80
Lexington Books Anglo-American Defense Projects in the Postwar
Book SynopsisThis book examines Anglo-American defense policies in the Middle East between 1945 and 1955 and the attempts of these two Western powers to contain the Soviet expansion towards the region. It does not attempt to offer a comprehensive history of British and American policies in the Middle East. Instead, it examines those policies with a particular focus on the problems of Middle East defense. It also seeks to determine the aims behind the proposals of Middle East Command, Middle East Defense Organization Northern, Tier Defence Concept, and Baghdad Pact, their failings, and the struggle that was undertaken against them by hostile countries, such as Egypt, India, and the Soviet Union. It examines the events surrounding their formation, development, and collapse. Furthermore, it examines the policies of the regional countries, namely Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq. Thus, it poses the questions of how the participating countries perceived the question of Middle East defense, what their basic aims were, and what problems they faced while trying to achieve these aims and implementing their chosen solutions.Table of Contents IntroductionChapter 1: Middle East Command (MEC)Chapter 2: Middle East Defence Organisation (MEDO)Chapter 3: Dulles’s Northern Tier Defence ConceptChapter 4: Turco-Pakistani AgreementChapter 5: Attempts to Recruit Iraq to the Turco-Pakistani AgreementChapter 6: Nuri Said’s and Menderes’s Search to Form a Defence PactChapter 7: Formation of the Baghdad PactChapter 8: Decline of the Baghdad PactConclusionAppendix 1Appendix 2
£76.50
Simon & Schuster Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and
Book Synopsis
£27.99
Academica Press The Mind Under Siege: Mechanisms of War
Book SynopsisAlexandra Kitty’s vital new book is a guide to the stratagems and techniques of war propaganda. When nations go to war, governments need reliable and effective methods of rallying public opinion to support their actions, regardless of the political leanings or educational background of citizens. The Mind Under Siege explores real life case studies and research in human motivation to show why propaganda is more powerful, potent, and effective than other types of persuasive messages. Reliance on primal phobias, and the threat to reproduction, well-being, and life itself make propaganda a reliable and powerful tool. For journalists and other news producers, Kitty’s book shows how to ask the right questions and avoid spreading misinformation and propaganda and how to see more insidious forms of manipulation and narrative through psychological research and case studies.
£150.00
Academica Press (R)evolution: Security Challenges Past and
Book SynopsisThis collection of essays comprises a series of think-pieces about the security challenges of the present, both in the realm of cyberspace and otherwise, with a particular consideration of the promise and possible negative effects of new digital technologies. French military academy instructor Gérard de Boisboissel considers the contemporary digital transformation of his country’s military and proposes ways to ensure its maximum effectiveness. Retired American senior intelligence officer Leslie Gruis takes the long historical view, examining parallels between the effects of the current technological revolution and the transformation wrought by the invention of the printing press. Columbia University research scholar Michael Klipstein and coauthor Peter Chuzie analyze the potential offered for intelligence collection by the Internet of Things. And British academic Craig Stanley-Adamson explores the lessons that may be drawn from the relationship between Israel and its neighbors in the first decade post 9/11, arguing that it was characterized by a surprising degree of cooperation in the security realm that may, given auspicious circumstances, be repeated in the future.Table of ContentsNeil Kent, University of CambridgeIrina du Quenoy, Georgetown University
£192.85
Academica Press Privacy: Past, Present, and Future
Book SynopsisTop analyst Leslie Gruis’s timely new book argues that privacy is an individual right and democratic value worth preserving, even in a cyberized world. Since the time of the printing press, technology has played a key role in the evolution of individual rights and helped privacy emerge as a formal legal concept.All governments exercise extraordinary powers during national security crises. In the United States, many imminent threats during the twentieth century induced heightened government intrusion into the privacy of Americans. The Privacy Act of 1974 and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA, 1978) reversed that trend. Other laws protect the private information of individuals held in specific sectors of the commercial world. Risk management practices were extended to computer networks, and standards for information system security began to emerge. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) incorporated many such standards into its Cybersecurity Framework, and is currently developing a Privacy Framework. These standards all contribute to a patchwork of privacy protection which, so far, falls far short of what the U.S. constitutional promise offers and what our public badly needs. Greater privacy protections for U.S. citizens will come as long as Americans remember how democracy and privacy sustain one another, and demonstrate their commitment to them.
£112.50
Naval Institute Press Strategy: Context and Adaptation from Archidamus
Book SynopsisHow does one engage in the study of strategy? Strategy: Context and Adaptation from Archidamus to Airpower, argues that strategy is not just concerned with amassing knowledge; it is also about recognizing our imperfect understanding of the environment, and respecting the complex nature of adaptation to the unforeseen or unexpected. In essence, the strongest strategists are those who commit to an education that cultivates a more holistic and adaptive way of thinking.With that thought in mind, the authors of Strategy offer ways of thinking strategically about a variety of subject matters, from classical history to cyber power. Each contributing chapter author is a current or former professor at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies in Montgomery, AL, widely considered the DoD’s premier school of strategy. Each earned a PhD in either history or political science. All contributors are prolific and widely respected in their fields. Practitioners in the profession of arms, perhaps more than anyone else, must think strategically about the application of power on land, at sea, and in the air, space and cyberspace.In addition to the exploration of various sub-disciplines regarding strategy’s role in the employment of power, and perhaps more importantly, Strategy illuminates different approaches to thinking about strategy, which have implications beyond the profession of arms. Therefore, the authors examine the learning and teaching of strategic concepts. The book does not provide a blueprint for how to teach or learn strategy (in fact, the authors contend that such a blueprint would be short-sighted and perhaps even dangerous). On the contrary, the work explores how one should think about the study of strategy through an appreciation of both context and uncertainty.Thus, the book not only contributes to a greater understanding of the strategic aspects of the employment of power, but also widens the aperture in recognizing different ways to explore new concepts. The authors contend that only through a willingness to explore different approaches do budding strategists make the most of their journey.Trade Review"A book about strategy, offering many useful insights and practical takeaways for anyone interested in the field—the bibliography and footnotes alone are worth a detailed look, and would provide a solid basis for any serious study of the field of military strategy. But its greatest value is its function as a time capsule for the SAASS method of teaching timeless ideas, providing a method for the exploration of a subject area that by its very nature can never be formally captured or simply defined. In its essence, SAASS is not about hard-to-find classrooms, or groups of instructors and students stretching from the past and present. Like the classical methods that inspired it, SAASS in its essence is not the physical location where it resides on Maxwell Air Force Base, but rather the living method by which its graduates collaborate to view, investigate, question, shape, and ultimately act in ways that create continuing strategic advantage and serve the vital interests of our nation and its allies. This book captures and reflects both the spirit and method of SAASS at a specific moment in time, as the never-ending challenge of ‘seeking strategy’ continues.”—The Strategy Bridge.com“The book’s extensive notes, index and bibliography make this essential for any student of strategy, military history or international relations. Careful reading will provide readers with an excellent guide to valuable and relevant sources.”— The Northern MarinerThe book is excellent in guiding the reader to think more thoughtfully about strategy, what it is and how it should be made while providing an interesting window into contemporary USAF senior staff college education. Eclectic by design, the book offers much for military professionals, academics and all concerned with deeply understanding the business of strategising and its teaching.” — From Balloons to Drones
£41.75
Naval Institute Press Adopting Mission Command: Developing Leaders for
Book SynopsisIn September 2010, James G. Pierce, a retired U.S. Army colonel with the Strategic Studies Institute at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, published a study on Army organizational culture. Pierce postulated that "the ability of a professional organization to develop future leaders in a manner that perpetuates readiness to cope with future environmental and internal uncertainty depends on organizational culture." He found that today's U.S. Army leadership "may be inadequately prepared to lead the profession toward future success."The need to prepare for future success dovetails with the use of the concepts of mission command. This book offers up a Set of recommendations, based on those mission command concepts, for adopting a superior command culture through education and training. Donald E. Vandergriff believes by implementing these recommendations across the Army, that other necessary and long-awaited reforms will take place.
£39.00
Naval Institute Press Gambling and War: Risk, Reward, and Chance in
Book SynopsisIn 1914, as Germany mobilized for war, Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg remarked to the country’s legislators, “If the iron dice must roll, then God help us.” War has often been compared to a game of dice or a lottery. But just as frequently, war has been compared to a game of pure strategy like chess. Napoleon’s shocking successes during the early years of the Napoleonic Wars, for instance, are often attributed to strategic superiority and his ability to see the conflict in the same way a player sees the pieces on a chess board.In reality, the business of negotiating with adversaries, fighting wars, and ending wars is far more complicated than a game of chess where each player can see all the pieces on the board and knows the possible paths that they can take. Even a casual observer of history can see that war is far more chaotic and unpredictable. And yet, international bargaining and international conflict is not a simple dice game either, where human beings have no control over the outcome. A comprehensive analysis of why wars occur and how they are fought must take into account a variety of factors including strategy, human error and dumb luck.And perhaps no game in human history better captures these elements than the game of poker. Indeed, Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz remarked that “war most closely resembles a game of cards.” To succeed in poker, it is not enough to simply anticipate the actions of other players and try to outsmart them. A successful player must also have an understanding of, and a healthy appreciation for, the role of randomness. Additionally, players must confront the reality that all human beings are prone to errors in judgment, which causes them to make suboptimal choices under many circumstances. Taken together, all of these challenges make poker a fascinating and highly unpredictable game, explaining its enduring popularity.This book focuses on applying lessons learned from poker, blackjack, roulette and other games of chance to study of international conflict. The book demonstrates how the combined factors of strategy, psychology and probability influence the outbreak of wars, how they are fought, and why they end. Drawing on scholarly insights from a variety of fields, including probability, statistics, political science, psychology and economics, the book offers thoughts on how we can better manage and prevent international conflict, the costliest game of all.Trade ReviewGambling and War is an interesting book which explores a handful of important theories about international relations, specifically concerning conflict, through a discussion focused on poker." --RUSI Journal "In this innovative and exciting study, Justin Conrad explores the intersection of strategy and psychology in war through analogy with the game of poker. With careful scholarship and well-selected examples, Conrad shows that international politics is the most dangerous game humans play."--Stephen Benedict Dyson, author of Other Worldly Politics "Scholars and members of the public alike often refer to war as a gamble, but how and why this is the case and the resemblance between war and games of chance are rarely plumbed as interesting and carefully as they are by Justin Conrad. Whether you are preparing to play poker or to study a war, you can learn a lot from Gambling and War." --Robert Jervis, author of How Statesmen Think "Justin Conrad has crafted an exceptional work that goes well beyond the familiar comparison of international conflict and games of chance and addresses a fundamental challenge for international relations scholars--bridging-the-gaps between the academy, the public, and policy makers. The result is an excellent introduction to conflict theory for students, interested observers, and practitioners. At a time when the global conflict environment seems increasingly chaotic and unpredictable, Gambling and War provides an excellent exposition of relevant international relations theories and makes a strong case for the value of information and credibility in navigating a risk-laden world."--Commander Matthew "Tut" Testerman, PhD, United States Naval Academy
£25.56
Naval Institute Press Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Every War
Book SynopsisThis book should be read by all practitioners and serious students of national security as the guide for avoiding failures and miscalculations in using American military power." --Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993) and 65th Secretary of StateAnatomy of Failure is part Von Clausewitz, part Tom Clancy, with personal insights by Harlan K. Ullman that brilliantly translate why the United States, the most powerful nation on earth, has so often fallen short of its objectives. --Michael Lord Dobbs, creator of the series House of CardsWhy, since the end of World War II, has the United States either lost every war it started or failed in every military intervention it prosecuted?Harlan Ullman's new book answers this most disturbing question, a question Americans would never think of even asking because this record of failure has been largely hidden in plain sight or forgotten with the passage of time.The most straightforward answer is that presidents and administrations have consistently failed to use sound strategic thinking and lacked sufficient knowledge or understanding of the circumstances prior to deciding whether or not to employ force.Making this case is an in-depth analysis of the records of presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama and Donald Trump in using force or starting wars. His recommended solutions begin with a "brains-based" approach to sound strategic thinking to address onne of the major causes of failure ----the inexperience of too many of the nation's commanders-in-chief. Ullman reinforces his argument through the use of autobiographical vignettes that provide a human dimension and insight into the reasons for failure, in some cases making public previously unknown history.The clarion call of Anatomy of Failure is that both a sound strategic framework and sufficient knowledge and understanding of the circumstance that may lead to using force are vital. Without them, failure is virtually guaranteed.Trade ReviewWell-worth reading for anyone interested in geopolitical policy and military science. This book deserves to be a standard text in both undergraduate and graduate political science courses. It is the best I have seen of its type. Before determining why we do not win, we need to know what we have done that made us lose." --Fabius Maximus "Ullman's thesis can be boiled down to one phrase: too much muscle; not enough thinking. He recommends a 'brains-based' approach. That would be a good place to start. Intelligent volunteers should begin by reading his book." --Financial Times "The book's outstanding feature is its inclusion of dialogues among the author and presidents and members of the foreign-policy complex. Ullman is not afraid to mince words; he offers well-researched assessments that discomfort cliché-spouting authorities." - Foreward "Anatomy of Failure deserves our close attention ... for the fact that it invites us to re-interrogate the metastrategic armature that underwrites the US strategic-military posture. In this sense, it represents a sincere call to reshape the US strategic-military establishment in a manner that will best serve the interests of the country in the twenty-first century.""Anatomy of Failure deserves our close attention ... for the fact that it invites us to re-interrogate the metastrategic armature that underwrites the US strategic-military posture. In this sense, it represents a sincere call to reshape the US strategic-military establishment in a manner that will best serve the interests of the country in the twenty-first century." --Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs "In calling attention to a significant issue that US leaders and the American public need to face much more squarely, Anatomy of Failure makes a meaningful contribution to an important national discussion." --Modern War Institute at West Point "Ullman's 'brains-based approach' to warfare might not be adopted, but it poses questions that political and military leaders advocating future operations will need to answer. With Anatomy of Failure on their bookshelves, they will have been warned that if they neglect to scrutinize intelligence, analyze the enemy and identify aims, they may start yet another war that America is destined to lose." --Asian Affairs --Foreword Reviews Reviewers' Choice: Favorite Books of 2017 "[Anatomy of Failure] should be read together with the recently released ... Why Vietnam Matters by Rufus Phillips" --Baird Maritime "Anatomy of Failure is imbued with the wisdom that comes with hindsight of an engaged scholar-statesman-warrior and provides a thought-provoking alternative to the seemingly patchwork approach when placing the U.S. Armed Forces in harm's way." --Military Review "For naval strategists and thinkers this book represents an important contribution. In some respects, it echoes and perhaps aligns with Harlan K. Ullman's book Anatomy of Failure: Why America Loses Every War It Starts (Naval Institute Press, 2017), in examining from a geo-strategic perspective the tactical and operational level successes (at close quarters) of the U.S. Navy in Vietnam." --The NAVY Magazine "Anatomy of Failure is an exemplary review of the decision making process used by successive U.S. administrations beginning with the Vietnam War. Deeply personal while simultaneously broad in scope and concise in narrative, this sidelong eyewitness insight into national decision making is a must read for anyone interested or participating in the grand strategy of statecraft." --On Point: The Journal of Army History "Anatomy of Failure is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of U.S. leadership." --The Huffington Post "[A]ny and all leaders and students of national security will benefit greatly from this book. Indeed, to reinforce the recommendation of Messrs, Powell, Kerry, and Jones, read this book! And, as Lord Dobbs adds, this is a very good and intriguing read as well." --Naval War College "This is an extremely important book and should be core reading for all those working in defence and security and making and taking the decisions necessary to guide our nations through this period of radical uncertainty." --The NAVY Magazine, Australia "Clearly, the debate over how America should conduct itself on the world stage is far from over. Those seeking to understand the many sides of that debate would do well to peruse the meditations of Kaplan, Abrams and Ullman." --The National Interest "The author, an apparently well-connected academic, commentator and former American naval officer - he commanded 'Swift Boats' in Vietnam alongside former Secretary of State John Kerry - presents a depressing but very realistic analysis of America's post World War II military history." --Ausmarine "Ullman's book is an important corrective to the American triumphalism that continues to dominate US political discourse. For the world's best military and all its partners, Anatomy of Failure should serve as a vital warning klaxon." Survival "When former Secretaries of State General Colin Powell and John Kerry and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Marine General Jim Jones... call Harlan Ullman's Anatomy of Failure a "must read," people should pay attention. And for those who worry about policy books being boring, in another blurb, "House of Cards" creator Lord Michael Dobbs deems Anatomy a combination of best selling thriller novelist Tom Clancy and Karl von Clausewitz. All are correct." --General The Lord Richards "From the day he put on the uniform of the United States Navy through the present, Harlan Ullman has spent a lifetime living, making, and evaluating America's national security policy with a critical eye and an insightful mind. It's taught him to ask tough, provocative questions, even unpopular questions, and whether you agree or disagree with all of his conclusions, there's no denying that his rigorous intellectual process is a meaningful contribution to the national dialogue. Every question he asks is one that should be asked and answered, however imperfectly, before our country jumps in or backs in to another military intervention, especially in an increasingly complex world of non-state actors, shifting alliances and emerging power centers." -- John F. Kerry, 68th Secretary of State "America's military remains the finest in the world. Yet, our warfighting successes may not be in keeping with our military's preponderant superiority. In Anatomy of Failure, Harlan Ullman draws upon years of inimitable insight and access to succinctly explain why: the faults lie not in the Pentagon but in the White House. This contentious and stimulating book offers an important perspective and should be on the must-read list of elected officials on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue."--Mary Beth Long, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and chair of NATO's High Level Group "Harlan Ullman's latest book is one of the most insightful assessments of modern U.S. military history. I highly recommend this book to presidents, policymakers, and the public alike as it recalls the lessons from our nation's cautionary tales and guides us toward a safer, more peaceful future." --Gen. James L. Jones Jr., USMC (Ret)., former Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and National Security Advisor "Harlan Ullman's Anatomy of Failure is a tour d'force and a must read not only for senior politicians and government officials. All concerned citizens worried about their future safety and security and what should be done to protect both need to learn from this brilliant book. Using America an example for why nations lose wars and fail in using military force, Dr. Ullman identifies two fundamental reasons that explain why. In every case of failure, the U.S. and other nations did not exercise sound strategic thinking and judgment. Second was the failure to understand fully the situations in which force was being used and the lack of knowledge to inform good judgment. Unlike many books, this one is highly prescriptive in its innovative and intellectually rich recommendations to avoid future failures. As the world comes to grips with the increasing threat of terrorism with global reach, Anatomy for Failure should be the textbook for governments and publics in defeat this new and highly contagious danger." -- Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Finance Minister of Pakistan
£27.16
Naval Institute Press Fleet Tactics and Naval Operations
Book SynopsisThe revised edition of this indispensable work still covers battle tactics at sea from the age of fighting sail to the present, with emphasis on trends (factors that have changed throughout history), constants (things that have not changed), and variables (things pertinent to each individual battle). Fleet Tactics and Naval Operations continues to emphasize combat data, including how hitting and damage rates and maneuvering have been conducted to achieve an advantage over the centuries. The third edition highlights the current swift advances in unmanned vehicles, artificial intelligence, cyber warfare in peace and war, and other effects of information warfare, and how they are changing the ways battles at sea will be fought and won. It also describes how the interaction between naval operations, wartime campaigns, and coalition tactics have affected war at sea, with special emphasis on the U.S. Navy. It also points out the growing connection between land and sea in littoral combat.Trade Review"Machiavelli declared that keeping up with changing times is the foremost challenge for any commander or sovereign. Captain Hughes is the Navy's Machiavelli in that sense--helping us adapt our tactics for the age of cyber and robot warfare. The go-to work on the subject-now as for three decades." —James Holmes, J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College and coauthor of Red Star over the Pacific“Updated for modern combat in the information age, this edition is a must for any naval officer and strategist and is part of the Blue & Gold Professional Library, which includes classics such as the Watch Officer's Guide and The Bluejacket's Manual.”—Navy Reads, 2018
£57.00
Naval Institute Press General Naval Tactics: Theory and Practice
Book SynopsisIn General Naval Tactics, Naval War College professor and renowned tactical expert Milan Vego describes and explains those aspects of naval tactics most closely related to the human factor. Specifically, he explains in some detail the objectives and methods/elements of tactical employment of naval forces, command and control, combat support, tactical design, decision-making and planning/execution, leadership, doctrine, and training. Vego derives certain commonalities of naval tactics that occurred in recent and distant wars at sea. Many parts of his theoretical constructs are based on works of a number of well-known and influential naval theoreticians such as Admirals Alfred T. Mahan, Bradley A. Fiske, Raoul Castex, and Ren?® Daveluy and influential naval theoreticians. Whenever possible, the author illustrates each aspect of theory by carefully selected examples from naval history--making the theory more understandable and interesting. Vego aims to present theory that is general in nature and therefore, more durable in its validity. The more general the theory, the greater the possibility of accommodating changes based on new interpretations of past events and as a result of gaining fresh insight from the lessons learned.Trade ReviewIn a meticulous, detailed and comprehensive way, Milan Vego provides us with a definitive guide to Naval Tactics which will surely become a standard text on the subject. It also offers a much-needed corrective to the modern tendency to overestimate the extent to which technology dominates the tactical scene." —Geoffrey Till, Emeritus Professor of Maritime Studies, King's College, London"In this original and innovative work, Milan Vego demonstrates convincingly that despite changes in technology and capability over the centuries, an awareness of theory, a broad and deep knowledge of historical precedent, and realistic training can provide naval practitioners with the attributes needed to think tactically and succeed in combat." —Craig L. Symonds, author of World War II at Sea"In General Naval Tactics Dr. Vego provides a comprehensive tactical doctrine from tactical design to training, interwove with supporting instances from past naval battles. Masterfully written, this book is a cornerstone for every naval officer's professional library." —Capt. Jeffrey E. Kline, USN (Ret.) and Professor of Practice Military Operations Research, Naval Postgraduate School
£55.10
Naval Institute Press Cyberspace in Peace and War
Book SynopsisThis updated and expanded edition of Cyberspace in Peace and War by Martin C. Libicki presents a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity, cyberwar, and cyber-terrorism. From basic concepts to advanced principles, Libicki examines the sources and consequences of system compromises, addresses strategic aspects of cyberwar, and defines cybersecurity in the context of military operations while highlighting unique aspects of the digital battleground and strategic uses of cyberwar. This new edition provides updated analysis on cyberespionage, including the enigmatic behavior of Russian actors, making this volume a timely and necessary addition to the cyber-practitioner's library. Cyberspace in Peace and War guides readers through the complexities of cybersecurity and cyberwar and challenges them to understand the topics in new ways. Libicki provides the technical and geopolitical foundations of cyberwar necessary to understand the policies, operations, and strategies required for safeguarding an increasingly online infrastructure.Trade ReviewCyber is arguably the most complicated as well as the most important arena of conflict the U.S. faces today, and the second edition of Martin Libicki's Cyberspace in Peace and War is an indispensable guide to it, separating the hype from the real threats and choices. Updated from the first edition, it tells us where we are and where we are likely to go." —Robert Jervis, author of How Statesmen Think: The Psychology of International Politics"Libicki's updated master class on the foundations, implications and import of cyberspace delivers the breadth of an encyclopedia and the accessibility of a personal guide within a context of forward-looking strategy. Covering technology, human factors and doctrine in equal measure, Libicki delivers a book that the reader can employ as a ready reference to assist in navigating the complex landscape of strategy and policy for a domain on which all others depend." —Chris Inglis, former deputy director, National Security Agency"The first edition of this book was a masterfully comprehensive, penetrating, and deeply informative introduction to all dimensions of cyber conflict, which has rapidly emerged as the dominant strategic arena of the 21st century. This new edition not only updates but improves the book's achievements." —Richard K. Betts, Columbia University, author of Enemies of Intelligence and American Force
£57.00
Naval Institute Press Mars Adapting: Military Change During War
Book SynopsisAs Clausewitz observed, ""In war more than anywhere else, things do not turn out as we expect."" The essence of war is a competitive reciprocal relationship with an adversary. Commanders and institutional leaders must recognize shortfalls and resolve gaps rapidly in the middle of the fog of war. The side that reacts best (and absorbs faster) increases its chances of winning. Mars Adapting examines what makes some military organizations better at this contest than others. It explores the institutional characteristics or attributes at play in learning quickly. Adaptation requires a dynamic process of acquiring knowledge, the utilization of that knowledge to alter a unit's skills, and the sharing of that learning to other units to integrate and institutionalize better operational practice. Mars Adapting explores the internal institutional factors that promote and enable military adaptation. It employs four cases, drawing upon one from each of the U.S. armed services. Each case was an extensive campaign, with several cycles of action/counteraction. In each case, the military institution entered the war with an existing mental model of the war they expected to fight. For example, the U.S. Navy prepared for decades to defeat the Japanese Imperial Navy and had developed carried-based aviation. Other capabilities, particularly the Fleet submarine, were applied as a major adaptation. The author establishes a theory called Organizational Learning Capacity that captures the transition of experience and knowledge from individuals into larger and higher levels of each military service through four major steps. The learning/change cycle is influenced, he argues, by four institutional attributes (leadership, organizational culture, learning mechanisms, and dissemination mechanisms). The dynamic interplay of these institutional enablers shaped their ability to perceive and change appropriately.Trade ReviewIn this original and important study, Frank Hoffman shows how a military's ability to adapt under fire is shaped by organisational capacities to learn lessons in war. With fascinating case studies of the U.S. armed services in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, this is an essential read for students of military innovation." —Theo Farrell, professor and deputy vice-chancellor, University of Wollongong and former head of the Department of War Studies, King's College London"An excellent work! Hoffman takes a refreshing view that balances military adaptation in wartime with substantial research from the field of organizational learning. This allows Hoffman to provide a new and extremely relevant perspective. Mars Adapting is an important contribution and essential reading for anyone interested in military adaptation." —Trent Hone, author of Learning War: The Evolution of Fighting Doctrine in the U.S. Navy, 1898-1945 and co-author of Battle Line: The United States Navy, 1919-1939"This work is going to become a classic of use to any of those who are interested in improving the performance of America's military institutions in war. Frank Hoffman has written an outstanding examination of the problems and issues involved in innovation and adaptation. His case studies come from all four of the U.S. services and provide wonderful insights into the actual difficulties that war presents to learning organizations." —Williamson Murray, professor emeritus at The Ohio State University
£37.95
Naval Institute Press Practise to Deceive Learning Curves of Military
Book SynopsisWritten by the undisputed dean of U.S. denial and deception experts, Practise to Deceive is the most in-depth look at deception as a military strategy. Barton Whaley knew the history of denial and deception across time, disciplines, and culture. He was the foremost authority on the intricacies of denial and deception strategy and tactics. For Whaley, deception was a mind-game, requiring imagination, deep critical thought, a profound understanding of the enemy as well as one''s self (a variation of Sun Tzu), and patience and fortitude. This book presents 88 vividly descriptive case studies to serve as a handbook for intelligence and military professionals. In Whaley''s analysis, variations in guilefulness between opposing individuals or groups can be crucial in deciding who achieves victory in combat.
£23.96
Naval Institute Press A Handful of Bullets: How the Murder of Archduke
Book SynopsisThe Great War or the "War to end all wars" as promised by President Woodrow Wilson was neither great nor ultimately conclusive. Precipitated by the assassination of the Austro—Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in the streets of Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, World War I demolished the order established by the Concert of Vienna, an order that had maintained the peace in Europe for almost a century. The ensuing carnage laid the foundation for World War II and the Cold War that followed. World War I also left in its catastrophic wake three transformational legacies that remain largely unnoticed today. These legacies have provoked and will continue to provoke massive change to the international order. But containing, mitigating, and preventing these disruptions from exploding into major crises will prove no less difficult a challenge than did restraining the forces that ignited the chaos and violence of the last century. These legacies would make Osama bin Laden into a modern day version of Gavrilo Princip, the Archduke's assassin, and turn September 11, 2001 into an event like that one on June 28, 1914, in many different and frightening ways. Instead of using a Beretta 9 mm pistol, bin Laden crashed three airliners into New York's Twin Towers and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., starting a global war on terror. Unfortunately, America's current strategic mindset to deal with the twenty-first century remains firmly anchored in the previous century. That mindset must change if aspirations for peace and prosperity are to be met with decisive and effective actions. Ullman offers provocative and challenging arguments to conventional wisdom—that we fail to understand the challenges and dangers and lack a mindset to cope with these twenty-first-century realities. He argues that while the dangers are not as destructive as a world war, unless they are addressed, at best the standard of living and expectations of Americans will decline, and at worst, the world will become more violent, unpredictable, and chaotic.
£23.96
Naval Institute Press Margin of Victory: Five Battles that Changed the
Book SynopsisIn Margin of Victory Douglas Macgregor tells the riveting stories of five military battles of the twentieth century, each one a turning point in history. Beginning with the British Expeditionary force holding the line at the Battle of Mons in 1914 and concluding with the Battle of Easting in 1991 during Desert Storm, Margin of Victory teases out a connection between these battles and teaches its readers an important lesson about how future battles can be won. Emphasizing military strategy, force design, and modernization, Macgregor links each of these seemingly isolated battles thematically. At the core of his analysis, the author reminds the reader that to be successful, military action must always be congruent with national culture, geography, and scientific-industrial capacity. He theorizes that strategy and geopolitics are ultimately more influential than ideology. Macgregor stresses that if nation-states want to be successful, they must accept the need for and the inevitability of change. The five warfighting dramas in this book, rendered in vivid detail by lively prose, offer many lessons on the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war.Trade ReviewMacgregor makes many profound recommendations based on significant historical evidence. This is a must-read for strategic leaders seeking ideas on military reform. In what I have read about future strategy and the defense innovation (including the Third Offset), few to none of Macgregor’s proposals are being considered. The focus is on technology improvements—mostly in regard to ISR and autonomous systems—and not the fundamental changes Macgregor champions. They deserve serious consideration."—Joint Force Quarterly"Douglas Macgregor’s latest book combines masterful campaign studies and thoughtful analysis of their long-term implications for today’s military establishments."—The Journal of Military History"This book is most highly recommended to all…. With America’s Army (and sister services) engaged in heavy debate and frenzied activity on what we need to face the unknowable future, reflected in the activation of the new Army Futures Command, Multi-Domain Operations, the inception of Space Command, and the impact of the new realm of cyber warfare to name a few, Doug Macgregor has continued to offer us more than food for thought. Indeed, he may well have his fingers firmly on the pulse of what we must do to succeed, coupled with an insight and level of experience shared by few."—Public Intelligence Blog "The challenge is for a nation’s military system to successfully adapt to changes in warfare. Although seemingly disparate, these battles are linked together with a logical theme, which makes for an informative and thought-provoking work."—Military Heritage"In Margin of Victory, Macgregor includes the Battle of Mons in 1914, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, The Red Army’s destruction of Germany’s Army Group Center in 1944, the Israeli Defense Force’s counter-attack across the Suez Canal in 1973, and the Battle of ‘73 Easting in 1991. The reason for the selection of these battles is that each shows the imbalance between victor and vanquished had roots in the reforms that the victorious side enacted well before the war began. Macgregor wants the U.S. to begin a serious study of what it lacks in dealing with 21st century war in order to avoid finding out too late that its solutions are not adequate to provide victory."—U.S. Military History Review"What does it take to win a war? West Pointer, combat leader, and renowned military thinker Douglas Macgregor answers that question in this engaging look at five major battles during the last century of combat: Mons 1914, Shanghai 1937, Belorussia 1944, Suez 1973, and Iraq 1991. You may not yet know much about these great clashes, but when you read this book, you will. More than that, you’ll know just what it takes to fight and win."—Lt. Gen. Daniel P. Bolger, USA (Ret.), author of Why We Lost: A General’s Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars"Douglas Macgregor has a brave tank commander's perspective on modern warfare and a restless refusal to accept the status quo when soldiers must pay for their officers' lack of higher critical thinking or preparation for combat. By revisiting five major battles of the past hundred years he shows in moving detail how a mixture of foresight and failure to plan ahead impacted the fates not only of soldiers' lives, but of whole nations. A salutary—and wonderfully readable—lesson for us all today."—Nigel Hamilton, author of The Mantle of Command: FDR at War, 1941-1942"Margin of Victory is a worthy read with several well-considered recommendations that will prompt critical thinking and debate among senior military leaders and others in the defense community about how we fight—and what it might take to win the next war."—Parameters"All told, however, Macgregor has written another powerful critique of the American way of planning and developing strategy for war. His lesson for policy makers and strategists alike is that 'whenever new military concepts and technologies appear, the complex interaction of national culture, bureaucratic interests, and economic power does not automatically work to support them. . . .[W]hen conditions change and the margin of victory suddenly narrows, frailties and vulnerabilities concealed from view inside the armed forces . . . suddenly produce catastrophic failure.' He asserts that Washington needs to focus on its long-standing and still primary strategic concern, namely, prevention of a hostile power from dominating the Eurasian lands. He argues that the American military must increase its force levels, notably those of the Army. And he advocates for the creation of what he terms a 'national defense staff' (in other words, a general staff) 'to guide the application of American military power,' encompassing integrated capabilities across service lines."—Naval War College Review"Macgregor opines that the United States has foolishly taken on the role of ‘global policeman,’ and that in the modern environment the resources for an American margin of victory are ‘thinner than ever.’ Faulty decisions by policy makers, organizing for the last war instead of the next, and failing to heed changes in technology are all pitfalls that can lessen the margin of victory. The case studies presented here have been carefully researched, are well written and expertly analyzed. Whether or not they support Macgregor’s thesis of current shortsighted American defense policy is left to the reader’s judgment."Journal of America’s Military Past"Macgregor offers guidance for future conflicts, stressing the importance of strategy and geopolitics over ideology if nations are to effectively fight and win future battles."—Military History"Margin of Victory is an extraordinarily informed and informative study that is unreservedly recommended for personal, community and academic library Military History collections and supplemental studies reading lists."—Midwest Book Review"Douglas Macgregor’s superb analysis points to a wholesale restructuring of the American military—a general staff and cadre of officers with lifetime expertise in such issues as cyber warfare or distinct third-world regions and cultures, not cookie cutter products trained to fill slots to refight World War II."—Jon Basil Utley, publisher, The American Conservative"Margin of Victory is highly scholarly study of five battles that changed the way future wars would be fought. It gives deep insight into the changing face of modern war. Douglas Macgregor powerfully argues the United States should give attention to reshaping its war strategies, organization, structure, technology, and leadership to avoid any defeat in the future. It will equally benefit students and experts of war, as well as those who actually fight."—The Washington Book Review"Margin of Victory is a superbly original and readable book. In brilliant accounts of five exemplary twentieth-century battles, Col. Douglas Macgregor shows how shaping armies and their doctrines to meet the challenges of past rather than future warfare produces defeat and how organizing and equipping forces for the future can bring victory. Margin of Victory will be given close attention by America’s competitors overseas. Those responsible for organizing and directing the adaptation of the U.S. military to emerging realities need to give it equal attention."—Ambassador Chas W. Freeman Jr., United States Foreign Service (Ret.), former Assistant Secretary of Defense, U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm"It is a measure of Douglas Macgregor's power as an analyst, historian, and writer that even readers who differ with some of his conclusions will enjoy and learn from his argument. This is the rare book on military policy that is both interesting and important."—James Fallows, correspondent for The Atlantic and author of Blind Into Baghdad: America’s War in Iraq"Douglas Macgregor, one of our finest military visionaries and reformers, has written a stirring account of five battles of twentieth-century warfare of great historical importance. Margin of Victory compellingly illustrates the need for nations to understand and apply both strategy and geopolitics before engaging in military action in this new age, where the guiding principles have changed dramatically."—Carlo D’Este, author of Patton: A Genius for War
£26.21
Naval Institute Press Habits of Highly Effective Maritime Strategists
Book SynopsisHabits of Highly Effective Maritime Strategists is a deliberately compact work aimed at both current and aspiring strategists, especially those who concern themselves with strategy at sea, and at those who work for or alongside them. The volume is meant to help strategic leaders know and educate themselves, two of the most important enterprises in the field of leadership. James R. Holmes reaches back to the classics of philosophy--especially to the works of Aristotle, the founder of the Lyceum--to posit that strategy is a habit. Rather, he writes, it involves cultivating a family of habits. To excel at strategy, one should learn what excellent strategists do and practice that ritual each day. Repetition helps the strategist find virtue, which Aristotle defined as the "golden mean" between the extremes of some trait, while shunning vice, the excess or deficiency of that trait. Over time, it becomes second nature to take the long view of national political and strategic ends; marshal diplomatic, economic, and military resources; and devise ways to put those resources to work for strategic gain. The classics of strategy feature prominently in this work. The canon sets forth concepts worth mastering. For instance, Carl von Clausewitz exhorts strategists to amass superior forces at the decisive place and time while abjuring secondary commitments that scatter resources about the map and risk leaving each force too weak to accomplish its goal. In a similar vein Alfred Thayer Mahan devises a formula for sizing fleets to overpower foes in important waters or coastal zones. Sun Tzu espouses the "indirect approach" to strategy, and B. H. Liddell Hart and J. C. Wylie join the classical Chinese general in his advocacy. In the ideal case strategists not just learn but internalize these concepts. Harnessing them in the real world becomes effortless.
£23.70
Naval Institute Press Newport Manual on Arctic Security
Book SynopsisThe Arctic's growing strategic importance in world affairs and the increasing attention it receives from states inside and outside the region warrants greater cooperation and understanding of practical measures for maintaining regional security and stability. Approaches that seek to systematically isolate one of the Arctic states, particularly Russia, will only contribute to mistrust and impede prospects for regional stability. The product of a three-year project by twenty Arctic scholars and practitioners, The Newport Manual on Arctic Security sets out thirty international principles of security applicable to this maritime region. It addresses topics related to awareness, confidence-building measures, and capabilities. An extensive commentary accompanies each principle, which sets forth its basis during peacetime, explains practical barriers and solutions to implementation, and outlines critical disagreements within the group. Transparency, cooperation, and communication provide the basis for the principles and commentary. This book is policy--and politics--neutral and does not represent the official position, plans, or policies of any state or international organization, including the U.S. Naval War College. The project's leadership was committed to objectivity and has included the views of all participants to reach consensus on future prospects for cooperation and agreement.Trade Review“Newport Manual on Arctic Security is undoubtedly one of the most useful books ever written on Arctic security. This is essential reading for naval professionals around the world seeking to better understand how to apply and integrate seapower in the complex Arctic region. With emerging strategic competition in this global maritime crossroads, it is imperative that we are prepared for operations in the High North.” —Adm. James G. Foggo III (Ret.), commander, United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa; commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples United States “As the likelihood of accidental conflict and miscalculation in the Arctic increases, the adoption of new practical measures to increase security dialogue and confidence between States becomes urgent. The principles set forth in this Manual are an important contribution to the ongoing discussion and are worth considering by the governments concerned.” —Dr. Andrei Zagorski, head of Department for Disarmament and Conflict Resolution Studies, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Russian Academy of Sciences; Member, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) “This important book moves beyond just articulating concepts and challenges, and proposes innovative and practical implementation measures to bolster regional security dialogue, stability, and cooperation. Given the breadth and depth of expertise showcased in this volume, this Manual is essential reading for academic researchers, practitioners, and policymakers grappling with how to engage responsibly in a rapidly changing Arctic security environment.” —P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Trent University, North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network
£47.45
Naval Institute Press Great Power Clashes along the Maritime Silk Road:
Book SynopsisCurrent concerns in maritime Eurasia are centered on rising powers China and India. By way of background to understanding the current regional great power rivalry within maritime Eurasia. This book asks what we can learn from historic Eurasian maritime geopolitical players and their interactions that will inform and enlighten today’s international relations practitioners. Great Power Clashes along the Maritime Silk Road examines three seminal historical cases of maritime clashes in the China Seas— four in the Indian Ocean, and one in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Each of these is an example of local or regional conflict reflecting the circumstances of time and place. The cases have been chosen to provide a comparative framework of significant premodern maritime clashes distributed along the full Eurasian maritime perimeter. Lessons include understanding struggles between continental and maritime powers in Eurasia, and understanding the decisive impact that naval leadership, intelligence, technology, alliances, and identity have had in the past and will have on the future.
£42.70
Naval Institute Press Anti-Access Warfare: Countering A2/AD Strategies
Book SynopsisThis is the first book to examine the concept of anti-access and area denial warfare, providing a definitive introduction to both conceptual theories and historical examples of this strategy. Also referred to by the acronym "A2/AD," anti-access warfare has been identified in American strategic planning as the most likely strategy to be employed by the People's Republic of China or by the Islamic Republic of Iran in any future conflict with the United States. While previous studies of the subject have emphasized the effects on the joint force and, air forces in particular, this important new study advances the understanding of sea power by identifying the naval roots of the development of the anti-access concept. The study of anti-access or area denial strategies for use against American power projection capabilities has strong naval roots-which have been largely ignored by the most influential commentators. Sustained long-range power projection is both a unique strength of U.S. military forces and a requirement for an activist foreign policy and forward defense. In more recent years, the logic of the anti-access approach has been identified by the Department of Defense as a threat to this U.S. capability and the joint force. The conclusions in Anti-Access Warfare differ from most commentary on anti-access strategy. Rather than a technology-driven post-Cold War phenomenon, the anti-access approach has been a routine element of grand strategy used by strategically weaker powers to confront stronger powers throughout history. But they have been largely unsuccessful when confronting a stronger maritime power. Although high technology weapons capabilities enhance the threat, they also can be used to mitigate the threat. Rather than arguing against reliance on maritime forces-presumably because they are no longer survivable-the historical analysis argues that maritime capabilities are key in "breaking the great walls" of countries like Iran and China.Trade Review"Tangredi is to be commended for his straight-talking, no-nonsense prose and his unapologetically provocative style. He delivers a real body blow to advocates of 'transformation' who take things too far, and he correctly exclaims, 'What has beaten counter anti-access efforts is not weapons or technological advancements or innovative tactics. Rather, it has been a wavering of the out-of-area state's commitment to the operation owing to a concern for extrinsic events.' Crystallizing many choices that will have to be made in coming years, Anti-Access Warfare represents a valuable contribution to the A2/AD literature." — Air & Space Power Journal "This book provides a thorough theoretical treatment of the subject but if (like me) you prefer a more practical, less abstract approach, it also offers a range of fascinating case studies. Its readable style and logical layout make it an accessible commentary on a highly-topical subject." — Australian Defence Force Journal< "For strategic landpower advocates concerned over the AirSea Battle debate, this book is an essential and foundational analysis of the anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) military problem. If strategic landpower thinkers are frustrated by the all-too-narrow terms of conversation in AirSea Battle, this book provides a more far-ranging and inclusive mental framework for A2/AD warfare problem-solving." — Military Review
£42.70
Nova Science Publishers Inc Tactics: Volume I -- Introduction and Formal
Book SynopsisThis book is the epitome of the interpretation and application of tactical principles in various armies, discussed in the light of the tactical views and methods prevailing in Germany, and amplified by numerous examples from military history.Table of ContentsTranslators Preface; Preface; Introduction; War; Strategy and Tactics; The Method of Instruction; Drill Regulations; Organization and Equipment; The Formations; The Power of Firearms and Expedients for Minimizing Losses; The Employment of Infantry Fire; Deployments for Action; Machine Guns; Infantry Versus Cavalry; Infantry Versus Artillery; The Attack; The Attack on an Enemy Deployed for Defense; The Defense; The Retreat; Containing Actions; The Infantry Combat According to Various Drill Regulations; The Expenditure and Supply of Ammunition; Index.
£163.19
