Theory of warfare and military science Books

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Book SynopsisHas any war in history gone according to plan? Monarchs, autocrats and elected leaders alike have a dismal record on launching and prosecuting wars. From pursuing over- ambitious goals, to making decisions without considering intelligence, terrain, morale or the enemy's capabilities, they have all erred. This not only wastes the lives of civilians, the enemy and one's own soldiers, but also means a failure to accomplish your objectives. Conflict scholar and former soldier Mike Martin takes the reader through the hard, elegant logic of how to fight an interstate war on land, including the factors that are often overlooked: the importance of psychology, training, getting the logistics right, and maintaining your esprit de corps. He then explains how to orchestrate the building blocks of military force--from infantry, artillery and air support, to information and cyber warfare-- in order to prevail over your adversary. 'How to Fight a War' explains in cool and precise prose the art of using extreme violence to convince your enemy that they should submit. It should be read by everyone who seeks to understand today's conflicts and those to come--and by all those who wish to lead us through the next decade of wars.Trade Review'Colourful, punchy, admirably challenging and clear--essential reading for every soldier, officer and General.' -- General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff, British Army; 'War is abhorrent and complicated. But it is also human. In this easy-to-read book Mike Martin strips away much of its technical characteristics and reminds us that war is determined by some basic tenets that only a fool ignores. How to Fight a War is for statesmen, diplomats and generals to keep by their side when conflict beckons.' -- General Douglas Chalmers (CB, DSO, OBE) Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, 2018-2021; Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University

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Book SynopsisIn this landmark work of international relations theory, first published in 1959, the eminent realist scholar Kenneth N. Waltz offers a foundational analysis of the nature of conflict between states.Table of ContentsForeword to the 2018 Anniversary Edition, by Stephen M. WaltPreface to the 2001 EditionPreface to the 1959 Edition1. Introduction2. The First Image: International Conflict and Human Behavior3. Some Implications of the First Image: The Behavioral Sciences and the Reduction of Interstate Violence4. The Second Image: International Conflict and the Internal Structure of States5. Some Implications of the Second Image: International Socialism and the Coming of the First World War6. The Third Image: International Conflict and International Anarchy7. Some Implications of the Third Image: Examples from Economics, Politics, and History8. ConclusionBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisIn war, do mass and materiel matter most? The answer is yes. But this is to overlook force employment, or the doctrine and tactics by which materiel is actually used. This book provides an account of how force employment interacts with materiel to produce real combat outcomes.Trade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2005 Winner of the 2005 Silver Medal for the Arthur Ross Book Award, Council on Foreign Relations Winner of the 2005 Col. John J. Madigan III Book Award, U.S. Army War College Foundation Winner of the 2005 Koopman Prize, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences Winner of the 2004 Huntington Prize, Olin Institute at Harvard "Superlatives hardly do this book justice. It simultaneously makes major contributions in political science, military history, social science methodology, and contemporary policy debates. Stephen Biddle comprehensively and convincingly dismantles two of the most important literatures in international relations theory in the United States: realism and the offence-defense balance."--Ted Hopf, International History Review "Stephen Biddle has written perhaps the best volume on the causes of battlefield victory and defeat in a generation... This is a seminal work on an issue of critical importance."--Spencer D. Bakich, Virginia Quarterly Review "Biddle's focus is on medium--and high--intensity land war; he combines a sophisticated formal model with analysis of critical case studies of actual battles. His argument has important implications for the structure of all modern military forces and shows persuasively that troops skilled in executing the modern system, not high-tech weapons alone, assure victory. It is a major achievement."--Choice "Stephen Biddle has written a worthy book on the never-ending debate over why land wars are won and lost. It contributes to the academic literature, and his policy judgments deserve attention... It is well worth reading, owning, and remembering."--Richard L. Kugler, Perspectives on Politics "Stephen Biddle's Military Power deserves serious attention from military historians. Military Power makes a powerful argument that has redefined thinking within political science and policy circles on why armies win battles... Biddle has produced an outstanding work that addresses a question central to historians, political scientists, and policy-makers."--Carter Malkasian, Journal of Military HistoryTable of ContentsPreface ix Abbreviations xiii CHAPTER ONE Introduction 1 CHAPTER TWO A Literature Built on Weak Foundations 14 CHAPTER THREE The Modern System 28 CHAPTER FOUR The Modern System, Preponderance, and Changing Technology 52 CHAPTER FIVE Operation MICHAEL-The Second Battle of the Somme, March 21-April 9, 1918 78 CHAPTER SIX Operation GOODWOOD-July 18-20, 1944 108 CHAPTER SEVEN Operation DESERT STORM-January 17-February 28, 1991 132 CHAPTER EIGHT Statistical Tests 150 CHAPTER NINE Experimental Tests 181 CHAPTER TEN Conclusion 190 APPENDIX A Formal Model of Capability 209 Notes 240 Index 325

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.Focusing on the principle of outsmarting a foe before resorting to battle this treatise by Chinese general, strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu is a masterpiece of military strategy. His timeless advice to know yourself, your enemy, your sparring ground and to prioritise diplomatic solutions has been influential since its creation.Written during the sixth century BCE, to this day The Art of War has guided leaders for thousands of years and remains to this day a touchstone not only for generals, but for CEOs, athletes and anyone facing their own battles of cunning and tact.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the classic The Wizards of Armageddon and Pulitzer Prize finalist comes the definitive history of American policy on nuclear war—and Presidents’ actions in nuclear crises—from Truman to Trump.Fred Kaplan, hailed by The New York Times as “a rare combination of defense intellectual and pugnacious reporter,” takes us into the White House Situation Room, the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s “Tank” in the Pentagon, and the vast chambers of Strategic Command to bring us the untold stories—based on exclusive interviews and previously classified documents—of how America’s presidents and generals have thought about, threatened, broached, and just barely avoided nuclear war from the dawn of the atomic age until today. Kaplan’s historical research and deep reporting will stand as the permanent record of politics. Discussing theories that have dominated nightmare scenarios from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Kaplan presents the unthinkable in terms of mass destruction and demonstrates how the nuclear war reality will not go away, regardless of the dire consequences.

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author Robert Greene comes a new guide to the strategies of war that can help us gain mastery in the modern world. Spanning world civilisations, and synthesising dozens of political, philosophical, and religious texts, The Concise 33 Strategies of War is a guide to the subtle social game of everyday life. Based on profound and timeless lessons, it is abundantly illustrated with examples of the genius and folly of everyone from Napoleon to Margaret Thatcher and Hannibal to Ulysses S. Grant, as well as diplomats, captains of industry and Samurai swordsmen.Trade ReviewTranslatable to virtually every facet of daily life...a rich mine of ideas and information...readable and stimulating. * Scotland on Sunday *Very good...An enormous number of directed anecdotes from warfare, politics and the arts. * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisWhat if you could combine the agility, adaptability, and cohesion of a small team with the power and resources of a giant organization?When General Stanley McChrystal took command of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq in 2003, he quickly realized that conventional military tactics were failing. The allied forces had a huge advantage in numbers, equipment and training - but none of the enemy''s speed and flexibility.McChrystal and his colleagues discarded a century of conventional wisdom to create a ''team of teams'' that combined extremely transparent communication with decentralized decision-making authority. Faster, flatter and more flexible, the task force beat back al-Qaeda.In this powerful book, McChrystal and his colleagues show how the challenges they faced in Iraq can be relevant to any leader. Through compelling examples, the authors demonstrate that the ''team of teams'' strategy has worked everywhere from hospital emergeTrade ReviewIn addition to being a fascinating and colourful read, this book is an indispensable guide to organizational change * Walter Isaacson, from the foreword *This is a bold argument that leaders can help teams become greater than the sum of their parts * Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit *Team of Teams is erudite, elegant, and insightful. An unexpected and surprising wealth of information and wonder, it provides a blueprint for how to cope with increasing complexity in the world. A must read for anyone who cares about the future - and that means all of us * Daniel Levitin, author of The Organized Mind *

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Book SynopsisAnyone interested in military history or indeed history in general will find it fascinating to read.' The SpectatorTrade Review"'Anyone interested in military history or indeed history in general will find it fascinating to read.' Spectator 'Pure, almost illicit pleasure... What makes these essays tremendously diverting is how little they strain one's sense of credibility.' Andrew Roberts, Sunday Telegraph 'These informed, elegant essays authoritively analyse incidents over the past 3,000 years.' The Times 'One of the delights of the book is that broad speculative analysis is built from a mass of exciting detail. This make for a top-class bed-side read.' Financial Times"

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.The ancient Chinese art of warfare written by military strategist Sun Tzu in the 5th century BC.

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Book SynopsisEnergy is an enabler of ? and a constraint on ? military power. Operational Energy provides military officers with knowledge and skills to plan effectively for the operational energy needs of their forces. Operational energy is the energy used to train, move, and sustain military forces and weapons platforms for military operations. Energy has always played a role in battlefield outcomes. Over the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries the importance of energy in warfighting has grown. Today, energy is a critical pillar of national defense and a major factor in military power. In modern warfare, attaining energy superiority over one?s adversaries is a critical condition for success on the battlefield. Operational energy planning is an integral part of all combat and regular operations. Operational Energy is a valuable and extensive resource for students of US Department of Defense courses in military universities, colleges, and academic training programs; scholars of geopolitics, and researchers on US and global energy security. Operational Energy is to date the only textbook on defense energy planning, analysis, and strategy. It examines in detail fuel types, geopolitical issues, energy supply risks, market economic factors, and technology, presenting topics for future research. It also includes chapter summaries, main points for study, and case studies.

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Book SynopsisThe nature of war is constant change. We live in an era of exponential technological acceleration which is transforming how wars are waged. Today, the battlespace is transparent; multi-domain sensors can see anything, and long-range precision fire can target everything that is observed. Autonomous weapons can be unleashed into the battlespace and attack any target from above, hitting the weakest point of tanks and armoured vehicles. War now develops at hyper-speed, risking operational, informational, and organisational paralysis induced by the rapid convergence of key disrupters in the battlespace. Hit with too many attacks in multiple domains, all occurring simultaneously, the force is paralysed.Imagine a peer fight against Communist China, a new war in Europe against a resurgent Russia, or a conflict against Iran in the Middle East. How can our forces survive an enemy-first strike in these circumstances? Can we adapt to the ever-accelerating tempo of war? Will our forces be able to mask from enemy sensors? How will leaders execute command and control in a degraded communications environment? Will our command posts survive, and will our commanders see and understand what is happening in order to plan, decide, and act in real time? Written by military strategy and leadership expert, John Antal, this book addresses these tough questions and more.Table of ContentsIntroduction: How War is Changing 1. Learning from the Second Nagorno Karabakh War and the Russian-Ukrainian War 2. The Transparent Battlespace 3. The First Strike Advantage 4. The Tempo Of War 5. Top Attack 6. Full Automation 7. The Kill Web 8. Visualizing the Battlespace in All Domains—Executing Mission Command 9. Decision Dominance 10. Conclusion: Implications for the Defense of Taiwan

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Book SynopsisWar Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict provides insights for those involved in the design of military strategy, and the forces that must execute that strategy. Emphasizing the impacts of technology, new era strategic competition, demography, and climate change, Mick Ryan uses historical as well as contemporary anecdotes throughout the book to highlight key challenges faced by nations in a new era of great power rivalry. Just as previous industrial revolutions have advanced societies, the nascent fourth industrial revolution will have a similar impact on how humans fight, compete, and build military power in the twenty-first century. After reviewing the principle catalysts of change in the security environment, War Transformed seeks to provide a preview of the shape of war and competition in the twenty-first century. Ryan examines both the shifting character of war and its enduring nature. In doing so, he proposes important trends in warfare that will shape all aspects of human competition and conflict in the coming decades. The remainder of the book analyzes how military institutions must prepare for future competition and conflict. Competing and engaging in combat in this new era involves new and evolved strategies and warfighting concepts, as well as adapting our current military organizations. It will also demand building an intellectual edge in military personnel through evolved concepts of training, education, and development. As the competitive environment and potential battlefields continue to change, conceptions of combat, competition and conflict must also evolve. Mick Ryan makes the case for transforming how Western military institutions view war in this century.Trade Review“In a sweeping review of war and strategy, from Thucydides and Sun Tzu to Clausewitz, Fuller, Cohen, Qiao and Wang, Ryan distills accelerating trends affecting the character of war to make a compelling case for a rejuvenation of the profession of arms to face the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and renewed great power contestation.” —John Blaxland, Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University “While technology may be the catalyst for change in the coming 4th Industrial Revolution, our armed forces are ultimately altered by people, ideas, and institutions in that order. In War Transformed, General Ryan's timely and immensely readable book, the reader gains a keen sense of how the old and the new in human conflict will impact the profession of arms. A must-read and a sure-fire product for all security studies and military educational programs.” —Frank G. Hoffman, National Defense University, author of Mars Adapting: Military Change During War? “With War Transformed, Mick Ryan establishes he is among the world’s leading writers and deepest thinkers on future conflict. This book is a must-read for those who want to understand how to stay on the right side of the increasingly thin line between victory and defeat during the coming decades.” —August Cole, co-author of Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution and Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War “Few military leaders have thought as deeply about the future of war as Major General Mick Ryan. The result is a book rich in insights into the changing shape of conflict and strategic competition, and wise in its recommendations for how western militaries need to adapt to 21st-century challenges.“ —Theo Farrell, professor and deputy vice-chancellor for Education, University of Wollongong, and former head of the Department of War Studies, King’s College London “An essential read on the present and future of war, and I do not write that lightly. Mick Ryan's War Transformed is at the sweet spot of being both well written and incredibly informative.” —P.W. Singer, best-selling author of Wired for War, Ghost Fleet, and LikeWar Major General Mick Ryan (Ret.) completed this visionary description of evolving warfare only months before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. His insights eerily reflect daily reports from that front. He describes Chinese and Russian aggression and the use of simultaneous cyber, political and conventional forms of war as a wake-up call to Western democracies – whose leaders have already begun to face this new realm of war. Despite some structural challenges in the book, Ryan’s timely, insider’s view of contemporary and future warfare proves deeply relevant and informative. He also emphasizes an important strategy underlying military success: always stay curious and never stop learning. —Getabstract"War Transformed is strongly recom­mended as a guide to improve one's ability to navigate our uncertain future. Not everyone is a "surf rider," but this book will stretch minds and force readers to reassess longstanding assumptions and dated ideas. Its strength is in its synthesis of the ideas of many others, which makes War Transformed comprehensive and an excellent foundation for a security studies course." —Joint Forces Quarterly "Thought-provoking, wide-ranging, cogently written and full of important insights about the looming conflicts of this century, War Transformed lends itself to professional development discussions at all levels. It is a book that belongs on every national security leader’s bookshelf, and its ideas should spark some serious soul-searching in the U.S. military, as well as among allies and partners, as to whether the U.S. military and its partners around the world are adapting and changing quickly enough to meet the challenges that all will face in future conflicts." —Association of the United States Army

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Book SynopsisThis timely analysis of security in Europe identifies the factors that enable and hinder the creation of networks of defence cooperation across the continent. Going beyond regional arrangements established by NATO and the European Union, this book considers the subregional level by focusing on bilateral and minilateral defence collaborations. It provides a new conceptual framework to assess the rationales, leadership and the complex dynamics within these alliances, and highlights how they shape and interact with NATO and EU initiatives.Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Multinational Defence Cooperation in Europe 3. Conceptualizing Defence Cooperation 4. The European Security Community 5. Defence Budgets 6. Previous Defence Collaborations 7. Strong Leadership and Chemistry 8. Supportive Political Milieu 9. How to Achieve Defence Cooperation in Europe 10. Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIsn't war rooted in the vested interests of the ruling classes? (But have not democracies proved as bellicose as other states?) Should not political disputes be settled by civilised negotiations? (But what if the adversary is not, by your standards, 'civilised'?) Ought states to steer clear of other states' internal conflicts? (Or should they help liberate oppressed peoples?) Which is better, appeasement or a war to end war? Such questions reflect the confusion that still besets liberal-minded men and women in the face of war, despite centuries during which they have tried to discover its causes and secure its abolition. Sir Michael Howard traces the pattern in their attitudes from Erasmus to the Americans after Vietnam, and concludes that peacemaking 'is a task which has to be tackled afresh every day of our lives'.Trade Review'The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the possibility of more such operations in future, make Sir Michael Howard's book of the greatest importance. Itshould be read not only by analysts, but by every concerned Western citizen.' * Anatol Lieven *'lucid, witty and trenchant A... these anti-war theories could hardly be more interestingly presented.' * RUSI Journal *'This is a book that everyone should read. It is a short, elegant masterpiece, where every chapter has the cliff-hangar ending of peace being declared, only to be followed by a new phase of war, more awful than that which had gone before.' * Professor James Gow, Dept. of War Studies, King's College London *'So well written that it could be read as a novel-except few novels are so interesting. To take one strand of history and unravel it in this way is not only a service to historians but to the ordinary bus-riding liberal anxious to clarify his own thought.' * Books and Bookmen *

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Book SynopsisThroughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.Offering ancient wisdom on how to use skill, cunning, tactics and discipline to outwit your opponent, this bestselling 2000-year-old military manual is still worshipped by soldiers on the battlefield and managers in the boardroom as the ultimate guide to winning.

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Book SynopsisSurvival, the IISSâs bimonthly journal, challenges conventional wisdom and brings fresh, often controversial, perspectives on strategic issues of the moment.In this issue: Charlie Laderman discusses the historical precedent for Donald Trumpâs threat to shrink the US commitment to NATO: the âGreat Debateâ of the 1950s Emile Hokayem examines Hizbullahâs future after Hassan Nasrallahâs killing and Israelâs incursion into Lebanon Dana H. Allin analyses what Trumpâs return to the White House spells for the world Elene Panchulidze and Richard Youngs discuss Europeâs growing emphasis on supporting democracies as a geopolitical imperative under the shadow of the RussiaâUkraine war And nine more thought-provoking pieces, as well as our regular Book Reviews and Noteworthy column. To read free articles from the journal, please visit its homepage at

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the normalisation of Private Military and Security Companies, and analyses US media discourse around the Nisour Square incident in Iraq as a pivotal case.States are increasingly relying on private military and security companies (PMSCs) to meet security needs. As a sign of ongoing normalisation, these companies are now increasingly targeted by soft law or self-regulation. Rejecting the common claim that âmercenaries have always been with usâ, this book sets out to analyse the underlying conditions that have allowed PMSCs to emerge in their uniquely contemporary incarnation. Divided into two parts, the book develops a novel poststructural framework of analysis to articulate social, political and affective conditions that enabled PMSCs to prevail despite controversy. It draws on and operationalizes their logics-based approach, while developing it further with corpus linguistics, and applies this framework to a large corpus of American mainstream media articles. The volume contributes to efforts aiming to overcome the alleged âmethodological deficitâ of discourse analysis, while highlighting the importance of making unconsciously held truths visible.This book will be of interest to students of private security companies, military studies, critical security studies and International Relations.

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a gendered perspective on leadership in war and peace, considering leadership in its complexity and presenting a practical examination of both leadership successes and failures.The work challenges readers to think through and discuss specific aspects of leadership, including how and why leadership diversity matters and the ethical challenges presented by the revolving door of the military-industrial complex. Further, leaders responsible for decisions involving war and peace must be able to understand, appreciate, and communicate effectively with everyone they work with and have a repertoire of leadership styles to use depending on context. The book represents an excellent tool for developing such skills, as it uniquely considers leadership through both male and female lenses, along with the experiences and perspectives of multiple military, government and industry leaders interviewed by the author, making it both relatable and informative.This book wil

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Book SynopsisGlobal events of the early twenty-first century have placed stress on the relationship among anthropology, governance, and war. This title includes the essays that consider how anthropologists can, should, and do respond to military overtures, and articulate anthropological perspectives on global war and power relations.Trade Review"This extensive compendium of critical ideas, information, and narrative accounts makes for an absorbing reading experience. Beyond its cogency for present debates, it might well serve as a historical marker for future researchers, likely to become as important as an expression of a certain epoch of anthropological relevance to events as Reinventing Anthropology has been in the context of the 1960s." - George Marcus, University of California, Irvine"

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Book SynopsisThis sobering book demonstrates how the interplay between conventional military operations and nuclear forces could inadvertently produce pressures for nuclear escalation.Trade ReviewInadvertent Escalation makes a truly unique, original contribution to security issues and should make defense planners grapple with conventional and nuclear linkages in future conflicts. Posen's answer gives wisdom to innocent defense planners as they venture forth into a post-Cold War world. * Military Review *As long as nuclear weapons exist, they may be used, and Barry Posen's book is a valuable contribution to thinking about ways in which nuclear use might come about. * International Affairs *Posen... does a masterful job of effectively utilizing detailed information to demonstrate the complex interplay of force postures, strategic doctrines, and decision-making dynamics. In these respects, the author's contribution transcends the time frame dominated by two superpowers armed with gargantuan nuclear arsenals. * Choice *Posen has written a provocative and important book... which explores an issue that could increase in relevance as nuclear weapons proliferate throughout the Third World. * Intelligence and National Security *Table of Contents1. Introduction: A Model of Inadvertent Escalation 2. Air War and Inadvertent Nuclear Escalation 3. The Balance of Ground Forces on the Central Front 4. Escalation and NATO's Northern Flank 5. "Offensive" and "Defensive" Sea Control: A Comparative Assessment 6. ConclusionAppendix 1. The Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) Model Appendix 2. Central Region Close Air Support Aircraft and Atack Helicopters (1988) Appendix 3. The Attrition-FEBA Expansion Model: Symphony Version Appendix 4. A Barrier Defense ModelSelected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe book tells the story of the theory and history of the mission command approach (decentralized command) and the attempts by different armies to adopt and reform according to this approach.Trade Review"Shamir's historical analysis of mission command's conceptual underpinnings provides excellent context for practitioners seeking to understand the complexities and efforts required to adopt, adapt and practice mission command." -- Brigadier Chris Field * Australian Army Journal *"Eitan Shamir has created an important book that skillfully dismantles popular mythology in favor of cold, hard facts about the resistance in the West's military establishments to badly needed change in the way they develop and cultivate leadership. This authoritative study should be required reading for all NATO officers." -- Colonel (ret) Douglas Macgregor"Transforming Command is a worthy addition to the military professional's library, especially with mission command being the subject of much attention in the Army . . . In the complex environment that U.S. soldiers face today and in the future, a more decentralized organization with empowered leadership at all levels will be necessary. Reading Transforming Command is a good place to begin making this a reality." -- Major Dan Leaf"This book clearly illustrates the important role that Mission Command plays in effective military operations. [The] comparison of the United States, British, and Israeli Armies in adopting Mission Command and [the] observations on their cultural differences were compelling." -- Martin E. Dempsey, General * United States Army *

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Book Synopsis“This brief, provocative, and accessible book offers snapshots of seven pernicious myths in military history that have been perpetrated on unsuspecting students, readers, moviegoers, game players, and politicians. It promotes awareness of how myths are created by 'the spurious misuse and ignorance of history' and howmisleading ideas about a military problem, as in asymmetric warfare, can lead to misguided solutions. “Both scholarly and engaging, this book is an ideal addition to military history and historical methodology courses. In fact, it could be fruitfully used in any course that teaches critical thinking skills, including courses outside the discipline of history. Military history has a broad appeal to students, and there’s something here for everyone. From the so-called 'Western Way of War' to its sister-myth, technological determinism, to the ‘academic party game’ of once-faddish ‘Military Revolutions,’ the book shows that while myths about history may be fun, myth busting is the most fun of all.”—Reina Pennington, Norwich UniversityTrade Review“Why does military history generate so many myths? Is it because easily digestible myths make the subject easier to teach and study? Or because such myths help to paper over the simple but depressing fact that mankind has, since its very origins, permitted the slaughter of millions, often for the most minor of reasons? While such questions are difficult if not impossible to answer, in bringing together seven of the world’s finest military historians to dispel seven of these myths, John Hosler provides a great service in laying bare the myths’ origins. Anyone interested in the subject should read this book first, before embarking on further study.”—Kelly Devries, Loyola University Maryland

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Book SynopsisFeaturing the Chinese text on the left and the English translation on the right, this beautifully bound edition of Sun Tzu’s classic text makes a unique gift or collector's item. Written in the sixth century BCE, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is still widely read and consulted today for its timeless, piercing insights into strategy and tactics. Napoleon, Mao Zedong, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and General Douglas MacArthur all claimed to have drawn inspiration from it. Beyond the world of war, business and management gurus have also applied Sun Tzu’s ideas to office politics and corporate strategy. This edition of The Art of War is printed on high-quality paper and bound by traditional Chinese book-making techniques. It contains the full 13 chapters on such topics as laying plans, attacking by stratagem, weaponry, terrain, and the use of spies. Sun Tzu addresses different campaign situations, marching, energy, and how to exploit your enemy's weaknesses. This edition is an essential addition to any library, whether you’re fascinated by the philosophy of warfare, Chinese history, or even twenty-first-century business.

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Book SynopsisA stunning Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of the world's most famous military treatise, by the award-winning translator of the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching For more than two thousand years, Sun-tzu's The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics and management strategies. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today's readers. Capturing the literary quality of the work, Minford presents the core text in two formats: first, the unadorned ancient words of wisdom ascribed to Sun-tzu; then, the same text with extensive running commentary from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators. A lively, learned introduction and other valuable apparatus round out thisTrade Review"The strategic advice that [The Art of War] offers concerns much more than the conduct of war. It is an ancient book of proverbial wisdom, a book of life." —John Minford, from the IntroductionTable of ContentsThe Art of WarAcknowledgmentsIntroductionA Note on the TextSuggestions for Further ReadingA List of Chinese CommentatorsCronologiesDyanastiesHistorical EventsThe Art of WarChapter 1: Making of PlansChapter 2: Waging of WarChapter 3: Strategic OffensiveChapter 4: Forms and DispositionsChapter 5: Potential EnergyChapter 6: Empty and FullChapter 7: The FrayChapter 8: The Nine ChangesChapter 9: On the MarchChapter 10: Forms of TerrainChapter 11: The Nine Kinds of GroundChapter 12: Attack by FireChapter 13: EspionageThe Art of War with CommentaryChapter 1: Making of PlansChapter 2: Waging of WarChapter 3: Strategic OffensiveChapter 4: Forms and DispositionsChapter 5: Potential EnergyChapter 6: Empty and FullChapter 7: The FrayChapter 8: The Nine ChangesChapter 9: On the MarchChapter 10: Forms of TerrainChapter 11: The Nine Kinds of GroundChapter 12: Attack by FireChapter 13: Espionage

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Book SynopsisFor more than 2,000 years, Sun Tzu''s The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics, managing troops and terrain, and employing cunning and deception. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible new translation, John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today''s readers. A lively, learned introduction, chronologies and suggested further reading are among the valuable apparatus included in this authoritative volume. Even those readers familiar with The Art of War will experience it anew, finding it more fascinating - and more chilling - than ever.Little is known about Sun Tzu (544-496 B.C.) and his life during the Warring States period after the decline of the Zhou dysnasty, but his classic, The Art of War, has been one of the central works of Chinese lite

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Book SynopsisFor as long as there have been wars there have been fears about the next war. Where are the new dangers? What is the best defence? How might peace come about? This is the history of how over the last 150 years we have tried - rightly and wrongly - to predict war''s future. ''Britain''s leading academic strategist ... read this book'' Economist''Insightful and opinionated ... expertly covers centuries of evolving mayhem'' Gary J. Bass, The New York Times''A bonfire of predictions ... Freedman''s purpose in this wise book is to discern patterns in the way we have thought about war''s future'' Shashank Joshi, Financial Times''It reflects the author''s immense knowledge and wisdom. It should feed our humility, because it reminds us of mankind''s unlimited capacity for folly'' Max Hastings, The TimesTrade ReviewWhat is most impressive about the book is the author's erudition and the lightness with which he wears it -- Christopher Coker * Literary Review *Arguably Britain's leading academic strategist examines how ideas about how future wars could be fought have shaped the reality, with usually baleful results. ... His message to policymakers is to beware those who tout "the ease and speed with which victory can be achieved while underestimating the resourcefulness of adversaries". Anybody who thinks otherwise should read this book * Economist *It reflects the author's immense knowledge and wisdom. It should feed our humility, because it reminds us of mankind's unlimited capacity for folly; and also of the need to sustain defences against all manner of threats, because the only certainty is that the next peril to confront us will be the one we least expect -- Max Hastings * The Times *

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Book SynopsisLittle is known about Sun Tzu (544-496 B.C.) and his life during the Warring States period after the decline of the Zhou dysnasty, but his classic, The Art of War, has been one of the central works of Chinese literature for 2500 years.John Minford (editor/translator) studied Chinese at Oxford and at the Australian National University and has taught in China, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. He edited (with Geremie Barme) Seeds of Fire: Chinese Voices of Conscience and (with Joseph S. M. Lau) Chinese Classical Literature: An Anthology of Translations. He has translated numerous works from the Chinese, including the last two volumes of the Penguin Classics edition of Cao Xueqin's eighteenth-century novel The Story of the Stone and the martial-arts fiction of the contemporary Hong Kong novelist Louis Cha.Trade Review"The strategic advice that [The Art of War] offers concerns much more than the conduct of war. It is an ancient book of proverbial wisdom, a book of life." —John Minford, from the Introduction

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Book SynopsisIn Killer High, Peter Andreas tells the story of war from antiquity to the modern age through the lens of six psychoactive drugs: alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, opium, amphetamines, and cocaine. Armed conflict has become progressively more "drugged" with the global spread of these mind-altering substances. From ancient brews and battles to meth and modern warfare, drugs and war have grown up together and become addicted to each other. By looking back not justyears and decades but centuries, Andreas reveals that the drugs-conflict nexus is actually an old story, and that powerful states have been its biggest beneficiaries.Trade ReviewKiller High, well-written and extensively researched, shows how the drugs-war relationship has served state interests and ambitions. * Katharine Neill-Harris, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books *Since time immemorial, soldiers have consumed mind-altering substances; Andreas (International Studies/Brown Univ.; Smuggler Nation: How Illicit Trade Made America, 2013, etc.) delivers an impressive, often unsettling history of six. * Kirkus *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: How Drugs Made War and War Made Drugs 1: Drunk on the Front 2: Where there's Smoke there's War 3: Caffeinated Conflict 4: Opium, Empire, and Geopolitics 5: Speed Warfare 6: Cocaine Wars Conclusion: The Drugged Battlefields of the 21st Century Notes Index

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Book SynopsisDespite their untold human suffering, widespread destruction and loss, and far-reaching destabilization, the fires of many of the world''s most violent civil wars continue to burn. In light of their devastating effects, how can we explain the intractability of costly and stalemated, yet seemingly endless, civil wars? By situating internal conflicts within the broader geopolitical environment in which they take place, Wars Without End provides an answer. It highlights the critical role of competitive intervention--opposing, simultaneous transfers of military assistance from different third-party states to both government and rebel combatants--in the dynamics, duration, and global prevalence of internal conflict. Providing a comprehensive theoretical and empirical account of this form of external meddling, it brings together battlefield bargaining dynamics, the escalatory pressures of interstate competition, and the systemic dimensions of geopolitical rivalry in civil wars to explain how protracted fighting within states is linked to enduring competition between them. In doing so, it challenges traditional conceptions of proxy war by deriving new propositions about the strategic logics that motivate it, offering new and productive angles on the behaviors of armed groups, the strategies of foreign interveners, and the trajectories of internal wars. Combining statistical analyses with detailed case studies drawing on fieldwork, original interviews, declassified intelligence reports, and archival research, the book explains competitive intervention''s pernicious effects, documents its consequences for civil wars, and proposes policy prescriptions aimed at resolving some of today''s most intractable conflicts.

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Book SynopsisIn this re-written classic text, the author provides a critical review of the various different ways in which ethical debates about warfare are already framed, and asks probing questions about how we think about war, and the changes it is undergoing.Trade Reviewunashamedly bold and far-reaching, proudly concerned with the fundamentals of the discipline, making sense where previously there was very little of it. Ian Clark impresses with thorough knowledge of both the military and the philosophical-ethical dimensions of waging war and the ability to bring them together in a fashion that is both conceptual and immediately practical * LSE Review of Books *The book would make an excellent critical introduction for students of the ethics of war and political violence. * Political Studies Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. War: Concept and Conduct ; 2. Concepts of Just War ; 3. Concepts of Limited War ; 4. Concepts of Limited War ; 5. War: Symmetries and Asymmetries ; 6. War, Technology, and Conceptual Change ; Conclusion

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Book Synopsis''War is the most important thing in the world'', writes Martin van Creveld, one of the world''s best-known experts on military history and strategy.The survival of every country, government, and individual is ultimately dependent on war - or the ability to wage it in self-defence. That is why, though it may come but once in a hundred years, it must be prepared for every day. When it is too late-when the bodies lie stiff and people weep over them-those in charge have failed in their duty. Nevertheless, in spite of the centrality of war to human history and culture, there has for long been no modern attempt to provide a replacement for the classics on war and strategy, Sun Tzu''s The Art of War, dating from the 5th or 6th century BC, and Carl von Clausewitz''s On War, written in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. What is needed is a modern, comprehensive, easy to read and understand theory of war for the 21st century that could serve as a replacement for these classic texts. The purpTrade ReviewProbably the best book on war that I have ever read -- short and succinct for the layman. * Andrew Sheng, The Star, Malaysia *A good update on the general theories of war and makes for an informative and interesting explanation. * Chris May, Battlefield *[A] gem of a book... compulsory reading for all political leaders. * Soldier *Authoritative and thought-provoking. * Milos Stankovic, Spectator *Well-written, based on much knowledge, interesting, and thoughtful. * Jeremy Black, Military History Monthly *For the non-military reader More on War's most engaging sections are likely to be the concluding reflections on the way war is changing. The rise of drones, the shrinking human role in combat, the emergence of cyber warfare all of these will have an impact, and not just upon the way wars are fought but upon the societies that fight them. * Financial Times *Many people of today in the Western world seem to have forgotten about war, which has followed mankind throughout history. This book is an excellent reminder, recommended especially to the women and men who will lead us into the future. * Anders Brännström, Major General, Swedish Army *Table of ContentsIntroduction. The Crisis of Military Theory 1: Why War? 2: Economics and War 3: The Challenge of War 4: Building the Forces 5: The Conduct of War 6: On Strategy 7: War at Sea 8: Air- Space- and Cyber War 9: Nuclear War 10: War and Law 11: Asymmetric War 12: Perspectives: Change, Continuity and the Future Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisBlending detailed contextual analysis with issues in modern-day international relations this book provides a major new analysis of the theory of Clausewitz and its relevance to contemporary society. This book argues that Clausewitz developed a wide-ranging political theory of war by reflecting on the success, the limitations, and the failure of Napoleon''s method of waging war, a theory, which is still relevant in light of contemporary conflict. This new interpretation is the result of reflecting on Clausewitz''s theory in light of the new developments and lays down the foundation of a general theory of war by concentrating on Clausewitz''s historical analyses of war campaigns. For the first time analysis of three paradigmatic military campaigns is placed at the centre of understanding surrounding Clausewitz''s ''On War'': The author argues that the limitations of Napoleon''s strategy, as revealed in Russia and in his final defeat, enabled Clausewitz to develop a general theory of war. This book is a project of the Oxford Leverhulme Programme on the Changing Character of War.Trade Review'For those who have a strong interest in and a deep understanding of Clausewitz's theory, this book is stimulating, thought-provoking and valuable.' * Bill Bentley, Canadian Military Journal *'Clausewitz's Puzzle will undoubtedly generate more healthy debate throughout military and security communities. It would also make an excellent text at War Colleges and post-graduate courses in international relations, security studies, military history, even philosophy.' * Bill Bentley, Canadian Military Journal *Both slender volumes (that of Echevarria and Herberg-Rothe) are weighty and incisive contributions to our understanding of the dead Prussian's work, who like none other continues to form our own thinking of war * RUSI, Dec 2007, Vol. 152, No. 6 *Table of ContentsPART I PROLOGUE ; PART II ANTI-THESES AND AMBIVALENCES ; 1. Clausewitz and Napoleon: Jena, Moscow, and Waterloo ; 2. Violence, Fear, and Power: The Expansion and Limitation of War ; 3. Concepts of Absolute and real War ; PART III USING CLAUSEWITZ TO GO BEYOND CLAUSEWITZ ; 4. Clausewitz's legacy: the Trinity ; 5. Polarity and Asymmetry Between Attack and Defence ; 6. The Formula: Politics in War

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Book SynopsisWhile many scholars agree that Clausewitz''s On War is frequently misunderstood, almost none have explored his methodology to see whether it might enhance our understanding of his concepts. This book lays out Clausewitz''s methodology in a brisk and straightforward style. It then uses that as a basis for understanding his contributions to the ever growing body of knowledge of war. The specific contributions this study addresses are Clausewitz''s theories concerning the nature of war, the relationship between war and politics, and several of the major principles of strategy he examined. These theories and principles lie at the heart of the current debates over the nature of contemporary conflict. They also underpin much of the instruction that prepares military and civilian leaders for their roles in the development and execution of military strategy. Thus, they are important even in circles where Clausewitz is only briefly studied. While understanding On War is no more a prerequisite fTrade ReviewClausewitz and Contemporary War is a thorough analysis that may be useful not only to the military but also to historians, political scientists, and politicians. * Bruno Colson, War in History *Antulio Echevarria's Clausewitz and Contemporary War builds on his significant writings on the work and influence of the Prussian theorist... Echevarria has provided one of the more useful contributions to the Clausewitz canon. * Thomas Bruscino, Joint Forces Quarterly *Echevarria argues that On War is most readily understood once its 'combat-centric' nature is recognized... Clausewitz intended to write a book that would be useful to fighting soldiers... and Echevarria's analysis is basically a demonstration of how On War stacks up once that ambition is taken seriously. * Daniel Moran, Journal of Military History *Antulio Echevarria is an example of the tradition of military historians who were at once interested in war and strategy; and he can tick the box of the (in this context) indispensible knowledge of German and of the historical understanding of German (especially Prussian) culture in the early nineteenth century. * Beatrice Heuser, RUSI *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; I. ON WAR'S PURPOSE AND METHOD ; 1. A Search for Objective Knowledge ; 2. Validating Concepts and Principles ; II. THE NATURE AND UNIVERSE OF WAR ; 3. War is more than a Chameleon ; 4. Policy, Politics, and Political Determinism ; 5. Genius, Giving the Rule to Art ; III. STRATEGY, BALANCING PURPOSE AND MEANS ; 6. Combat, War's Only Means ; 7. Strategic Principles ; 8. Center of Gravity ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisClausewitz''s On War has, at least until very recently, been regarded as the most important work of theory on its subject. But since the end of the Cold War in 1990, and even more since the 9/11 attacks on the United states in 2001, an increasing number of commentators have argued that On War has lost its analytical edge as a tool for understanding war. They have argued that Clausewitz was concerned solely with inter-state war and with properly defined armies, and that the sorts of conflicts which he discussed are therefore part of a historical pattern which dominated Europe between 1648, the end of the Thirty Years War, and 1990 itself. Some have gone further, and suggested that Clausewitz''s best known aphorism, that war is a continuation of policy by other means, is not only irrelevant today but also inapplicable historically. Clausewitz in the Twenty-First Century reconsiders the principal themes in Clausewitz''s writings from a contemporary perspective, and finds in them much moreTrade ReviewA closer reading of Clausewitz gives rise to the following implications for warfare in the 21st century. First, the war on terror, as with all wars, is irreversibly political in nature, and requires a decidedly political approach. (...) Second, globalization intensifies the role of politics, and indeed reduces reaction time within all three elements of Clausewitz's wondrous trinity, which is quite different from so called trinitarian war and which is Clausewitz's true legacy. Third, policys subordinating influence over warfare suggests that the overarching political goal for grand strategy in the 21st century should be the containment of violence, with the intent to diminish armed conflict as precondition for establishing democracies. * worldsecurity network *Table of ContentsForeword: Clausewitz On War: a History of the Howard-Paret Translation - ; Introduction ; 1. Clausewitz and the Dialectics of War ; 2. Clausewitz and the Non-Linear Nature of War: Systems of Organized Complexity ; 3. Clausewitz's On War: Problems of Text and Translation ; 4. The Primacy of Policy and the 'Trinity' in Clausewitz's Mature Thought ; 5. The Instrument: Clausewitz on Aims and Objectives in War ; 6. Moral Forces in War ; 7. War as 'Art': Aesthetics and Politics in Clausewitz's Social Thinking ; 8. Clausewitz's Ideas of Strategy and Victory ; 9. On Defence as the Stronger Form of War ; 10. Clausewitz and Small Wars ; 11. Clausewitz and the Nature of the War on Terror ; 12. Clausewitz and the Privatization of War ; 13. Clausewitz and Information Warfare ; 14. Clausewitz and the Two Temptations of Modern Strategic Thinking ; 15. Civil-Military Relations and Democracies ; 16. Clausewitz and a New Containment: the Limitation of War and Violence

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Book SynopsisWhat significance does ethics have for the men and women serving in the military forces of nations around the world? What core values and moral principles collectively guide the members of this military profession? This book explains these essential moral foundations, along with just war theory, international relations, and international law. The ethical foundations that define the Profession of Arms have developed over millennia from the shared moral values, unique role responsibilities, and occasional reflection by individual members the profession on their own practices - eventually coming to serve as the basis for the Law of Armed Conflict itself.This book focuses upon the ordinary men and women around the world who wear a military uniform and are committed to the defense of their countries and their fellow citizens. It is about what they do, how they do it, what they think about it, how they behave when carrying out their activities, and how they are expected to behave, both on and off the battlefield (whether in, or out of, uniform) - and what everyone (and not just military personnel themselves) needs to know about this. The book also examines how military personnel are treated and regarded by those whom they have sworn to defend and protect, as well as how they treat and regard one another within their respective services and organizational settings. Finally, the book discusses the transformations in military professionalism occasioned by new developments in armed conflict, ranging counterinsurgency warfare and humanitarian military intervention, to cyber conflict, military robotics, and private military contracting. From China to Russia, author George Lucas effectively sheds light on today''s military ethics in existence throughout the world. What Everyone Needs to Know is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press.Trade Reviewmorality and mortal combat get paired up in this highly readable academic argument for fair play on the modern battlefield * History of War *George Lucas offers a clear picture of what we should expect from our military forces * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo *Table of ContentsDedication Acknowledgements Foreword: General John R. Allen, U.S. Marine Corps (retired) Introduction: Why Military Ethics? Part One: The Moral Foundations of the Military Profession Chapter 1: Ethics and the Profession of Arms Chapter 2: Military Ethics and International Law Chapter 3: The Ancient Origins of Military Ethics Chapter 4: Military Ethics and the "Just War Tradition" Chapter 5: Military Ethics Apart from Combat Part Two: Ethical Challenges Facing the Military Profession Chapter 6: The Ethics of Defense and Private Security Contracting Chapter 7: Military Interventions for Humanitarian Relief Chapter 8: Military Ethics and Unmanned Systems Chapter 9: Military Ethics and Cyber Security Epilogue: Reconsidering Ethics with the Profession of Arms Additional Expressions of Gratitude Index

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Book SynopsisBased upon Machiavelli's first-hand experience as an emissary of the Florentine Republic to the courts of Europe, The Prince analyses the usually violent means by which men seize, retain, and lose political power. This fluent new translation is accompanied by comprehensive notes and an introduction that dispels some of the myths associated with Machiavelli, and considers the true purpose of The Prince.Trade ReviewLiterary scholar Peter Bondanella rightly seeks the cold elegance and readability of the original. Serious English readers will want both translations. * Lauro Martines, TLS *

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Book SynopsisBroadly defined as the grey area between strategy and tactics, operational art spans the theory and practice of planning and conducting campaigns and major operations aimed at accomplishing strategic and operational objectives in a given theatre of operations. An intermediate link between strategy and tactics has always existed, but a distinct concept that encompasses a systematic and deliberate plan of campaign for major operations is a mere two hundred years old. Based on country specific case-studies, this book describes how the concepts that underpin operational art originated, how they received practical expression in various campaigns, and how they developed over time. The point of departure is the campaigns of ''the God of War'', Napoleon Bonaparte. The book then proceeds with chapters on the evolution of operational art in Prussia / Germany, the Soviet Union / Russia, the United Kingdom, United States, Israel, and China. The final chapter deals with the future of operational arTable of ContentsContents ; List of Abbreviations ; Preface ; Prologue ; Introduction ; 1. Napoleon and the Dawn of Operational Warfare ; 2. Prussian-German Operational Art, 1740-1943 ; 3. The Tsarist and Soviet Operational Art, 1853-1991 ; 4. Operational Art and Britain, 1909-2009 ; 5. American Operational Art, 1917-2008 ; 6. The Rise and Fall of Israeli Operational Art, 1948-2008 ; 7. Operational Art in China ; 8. Conclusion ; Epilogue ; Notes ; Selected Bibliography ; Index ; Biographical Notes

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Book SynopsisWarfare is the most dangerous threat faced by modern humanity. It is also one of the key influences that has shaped the politics, economics, and society of the modern period. But what do we mean by modern war? What causes modern wars to begin? Why do people fight in them, why do they end, and what have they achieved? In this accessible and compelling Very Short Introduction, Richard English explores the assumptions we make about modern warfare and considers them against the backdrop of their historical reality. Drawing on the wide literature available, including direct accounts of the experience of war, English provides an authoritative account of modern war: its origins, evolution, dynamics, and current trends. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Review... what this book achieves would be remarkable in one several times its length... The book as a whole is notable for the careful throught and sound judgement that are on display, with the result that it does not at all feel like a superficial skim over the material. * Political Studies Review, Tim Benbow *The book as a whole is notable for the careful thought and sound judgement that are on display, with the result that it does not at all feel like a superficial skim over the material. * Tim Benbow, Kings College London/UK Defence Academy, Political Studies Review *English has developed a cogent and useful introduction to modern war. An understanding of war is a key element of civic education, and English has made the subject accessible. Modern War will be of particular value not just to students but to educators considering how to teach the topics of war and modern military history. * H.R. McMaster, Survival *Profound thought and a compelling text explain why and how states, societies and peoples resort to "the awfulness of war". English avoids glib generalisations because he knows too much and thinks too deeply. ... Anyone who wants to understand wars and their legacies should read it, twice. * Times Higher Education *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements ; List of illustrations and maps ; Introduction ; 1. What is modern war? ; 2. What causes modern wars to begin? ; 3. What has the experience of modern war involved? ; 4. What have modern wars achieved? ; Conclusion: war, terrorism, and the future ; References ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisThere are many histories of how wars have begun, but very few which discuss how they have ended. This book fills that gap. Beginning with the Stone Age and ending with globalized terrorism, it addresses the specific issue of surrender, rather than the subsequent establishment of peace. At its heart is the individual warrior or soldier, and his or her decision to lay down arms. In the ancient world surrender led in most cases to slavery, but a slave still lived rather than died. In the modern world international law gives the soldiers rights as prisoners of war, and those rights include the prospect of their eventual return home. But individuals can surrender at any point in a war, and without having such an effect that they end the war. The termination of hostilities depends on a collective act for its consequences to be decisive. It also requires the enemy to accept the offer to surrender in the midst of combat. In other words, like so much else in war, surrender depends on reciprocitTrade Review[the] accumulation of research remains admirably comprehensive and it can serve as a highly valuable reference work as well as a volume of stimulating and thought-provoking essays. It certainly demands to be widely cited. Thus with some twenty-seven leading scholars covering the period from prehistoric tribal societies to modern-day terrorism, this impressive volume clearly fills an important gap. Sean McGlynn, HistoryTable of ContentsPART I: NO QUARTER? THE BEGINNINGS OF SURRENDER; PART II: LEARNING TO SURRENDER? THE MIDDLE AGES; PART III: THE DEVELOPMENTS OF RULES AND REGULATIONS: SURRENDER IN EARLY MODERN TIMES; III.A. SURRENDER IN INTERCULTURAL WARS; III.B.: SURRENDER IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE; PART IV: A QUESTION OF HONOUR: SURRENDER IN SEA WARFARE; PART V: THE TIMES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW: SURRENDER IN MODERN WARS; V.A. THE 19TH CENTURY; V.B. SURRENDER IN WORLD WAR I; PART VI: UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER? WORLD WAR II; VI A. 'CONVENTIONAL' SURRENDERS; VI B. GERMANY AND JAPAN IN WORLD WAR II; PART VII: OUR TIMES: ASYMMETRIC WARS - ENDLESS WARS AND NO SURRENDER?

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