How to Fight a War

eBook, 289 pages

English language

Published by Hurst Publishers.

ISBN:: 978-1-78738-999-1
ASIN:: B0BLZ9F96M

(1 review)

Has any war in history gone according to plan? Monarchs, dictators and elected leaders alike have a dismal record on military decision-making, from over-ambitious goals to disregarding intelligence, terrain, or enemy capabilities. This not only wastes the lives of civilians, the enemy and one’s own soldiers, but also fails to achieve geopolitical objectives, and usually lays the seeds for more wars down the line.

Conflict scholar and former soldier Mike Martin takes the reader through the hard, elegant logic to fighting a conclusive interstate war that solves geopolitical problems, and reduces future conflict. In cool and precise prose, he outlines how to orchestrate military forces, from infantry to information, and from strategy to tactics.

How to Fight a War explains the unavoidable, yet seemingly elusive, art of using violence to force your enemies to do what you want. It should be read by everyone seeking to understand today’s wars, as …

Has any war in history gone according to plan? Monarchs, dictators and elected leaders alike have a dismal record on military decision-making, from over-ambitious goals to disregarding intelligence, terrain, or enemy capabilities. This not only wastes the lives of civilians, the enemy and one’s own soldiers, but also fails to achieve geopolitical objectives, and usually lays the seeds for more wars down the line.

Conflict scholar and former soldier Mike Martin takes the reader through the hard, elegant logic to fighting a conclusive interstate war that solves geopolitical problems, and reduces future conflict. In cool and precise prose, he outlines how to orchestrate military forces, from infantry to information, and from strategy to tactics.

How to Fight a War explains the unavoidable, yet seemingly elusive, art of using violence to force your enemies to do what you want. It should be read by everyone seeking to understand today’s wars, as well as those wishing to lead us through the coming decades of conflict.

1 edition

Matthew reviewed How to Fight a War by Mike Martin

Really good high-level summary of the modern art of war

5 stars

Content warning Talk about war - not what everyone wants in their feed

This book is obviously not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But if you're interested in an overview of modern warfare, I'd recommend it - it's really good.

It covers everything from the importance of strategic planning and logistics, to the purposes and compositions of a fighting force.

The argument that the idea behind warfighting is all about psychology is really compelling - the aim of warfighting is not destruction for its own sake but rather as a means of compelling another to submit to your position. Negotiation, but when words have failed.

For obvious reasons it's an important read given the state of the world right now, but it will only appeal to a certain group of people - this is certainly not one I'd recommend without question, but if you have any interest in this war business then give it a try - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Subjects

War
Politics