Description
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 purp
Trade 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
