Galula: The Life and Writings of the French Officer Who Defined the Art of Counterinsurgency

by A.A. Cohen

The product of years of extensive research made possible by exclusive access to Galula's personal papers as well as first-hand accounts from colleagues, family members, and friends, this book traces Galula's life from early childhood until death, describing his upbringing, education, and military career in the tumultuous historical context of his era. The author--a former counterinsurgency practitioner himself--pays particular attention to how the Chinese Revolution and the Algerian War affected Galula's views, and identifies Galula's mentors and the schools of thought within the French military that greatly influenced his writings.

A conclusion illuminates the contemporary and likely future validity of his works. In the epilogue, the author speaks to Galula's influence over modern military thought and U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine. This book is essential reading for individuals with an interest in counterinsurgency, Galula's writings, or Galula himself, such as military officers and civilian administrators undertaking counterinsurgency courses and training.

Genres: War

376 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[John B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an amazing biography that also covers a lot of historical ground. The author did some great digging into both Galula’s personal story and the historical context in which he forged his ideas. To situate Galula’s ideas in their historical context, the author, who is not an academically-trained historian but rather, an engineer and Canadian Forces Officer who serves in Afghanistan, provides a fascinating description of Galula’s experiences in China during the civil war and in Indochina. On the personal front, there was some great information unearthed about how Galula, a Jew who hailed from Tunisia and eventually gained French citizenship in Morocco, fared in Vichy France. There is also some great analysis of an episode in which Galula likely faced antisemitism in the French military. Galula himself was in denial about the reasons for his being passed over (I believe it as a promotion or class rank) but the author’s archival research uncovered the truth. Obviously, in addition to the historical and biographical content, the book lays out the tenets of Galula’s counterinsurgency doctrine or school.

[Paul Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book about Galula and his work. The time he spent in China was sort of Boy's Own Adventure stuff. Also interesting because of the comments of David Petraeus, John Nagl and Tom Ricks (along with others) on the significance of Galula's work.