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[(Strategic Studies: A Reader)] [Author: Thomas G. Mahnken] published on
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First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 6, 2024
This book was first published in 2008 and is a John Hopkins Strategic Studies Core Reading at the Advanced School of International Studies. In light of geopolitical analysis of the next 10 years, I elected to parse my way through 12 of the 23 chapters in this book - all material I had read previously. It is always interesting to read these types of things after one has had the benefit of on the ground conflict experience in some conflict country somewhere.
The book brings together key essays on strategic theory by leading contributors / authors and is broken into six parts - The uses of strategic theory; interpretation of the classics; instruments of war; nuclear strategy; irregular war and small wars; future warfare, future strategy. Each part also contains an introduction to the readings.
Regardless of what one thinks about war and conflict, it is a key feature of global relations, has been, and will continue to be in the future. AS war, technology and techniques continue to evolve - witness the conflict in Ukraine and the current Gaza conflict with Hamas (as of 2024), the study of theory gives a clearer conceptual image in which to analyze strategic problems. Regardless of how one views history of conflict, it is clear that warfare and conflict have wrought greater change the short periods of peace in between.
As a whole, this collection is a guide to the reader on the wide-ranging key issues in strategy. To paraphrase Clausewitz and Scharnhorst, it is imperative to know and understand what type of war, the character of that war that one is about to embark on.
This book is meant to be a useful reminder and reference to the student - even the most experienced student and practitioner of war and international relations. I highly recommend that the reader read the first three chapters in Part I, before moving on through the rest of the book, or selecting individual chapters or sections. i suggest reading slowly, with intention, asking yourself questions and also reflecting on the study questions that are posed in the chapters.
The book brings together key essays on strategic theory by leading contributors / authors and is broken into six parts - The uses of strategic theory; interpretation of the classics; instruments of war; nuclear strategy; irregular war and small wars; future warfare, future strategy. Each part also contains an introduction to the readings.
Regardless of what one thinks about war and conflict, it is a key feature of global relations, has been, and will continue to be in the future. AS war, technology and techniques continue to evolve - witness the conflict in Ukraine and the current Gaza conflict with Hamas (as of 2024), the study of theory gives a clearer conceptual image in which to analyze strategic problems. Regardless of how one views history of conflict, it is clear that warfare and conflict have wrought greater change the short periods of peace in between.
As a whole, this collection is a guide to the reader on the wide-ranging key issues in strategy. To paraphrase Clausewitz and Scharnhorst, it is imperative to know and understand what type of war, the character of that war that one is about to embark on.
This book is meant to be a useful reminder and reference to the student - even the most experienced student and practitioner of war and international relations. I highly recommend that the reader read the first three chapters in Part I, before moving on through the rest of the book, or selecting individual chapters or sections. i suggest reading slowly, with intention, asking yourself questions and also reflecting on the study questions that are posed in the chapters.
January 8, 2018
Began 2018 with this essay collection magnificent book edited by Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo titled STRATEGIC STUDIES. A volume all about warfare. The STRATEGY casts light on various aspects of warfare and aims to take the reader to the bottlenecks of strategic dimensions of war and the broad possibilities of winning battles.
The book consists of rich inputs and first hand material on practical wars fought during the 20th and 21st centuries with some ancient spice by Sun Zue and Mao Zedong and some prominent scholars.
The essays have been written in thoroughly academic as well as on ground manner helpful only for ones who are directly involved in strategy development or practically involved in strategy implementation in battle grounds and war.
Youngsters will find the book very boring while veterans will enthusiastically cling to it.
The book consists of rich inputs and first hand material on practical wars fought during the 20th and 21st centuries with some ancient spice by Sun Zue and Mao Zedong and some prominent scholars.
The essays have been written in thoroughly academic as well as on ground manner helpful only for ones who are directly involved in strategy development or practically involved in strategy implementation in battle grounds and war.
Youngsters will find the book very boring while veterans will enthusiastically cling to it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews