The Conduct Of War, 1789-1961: A Study of the Impact of the French, Industrial, and Russian Revolutions on War and its Conduct

by J.F.C. Fuller

The Conduct of War is the study of the way in which political and economical changes since the French Revolution have altered both the techniques and the aims of war, and its theme is that war which is not fought in pursuance of a clear feasible policy will always end in disaster. Fuller begins by examining the limited wars that were possible in the age of absolute rulers, and the destructive impact of revolutionary and democratic government on this state of affairs. Not only did the new armies of the Napoleonic age grow immensely in size and military power; the aims for which war was fought began to change. It was no longer a question of forcing the enemy government to alter its policy in specific ways; the purpose of war became the destruction of that government and the absolute surrender of its people. Such a concept of war, Fuller contends, is a disastrous return to barbarism. Each war leads inevitably to a state of instability which will persist and worsen until a new conflict breaks out. Fuller was an ardent admirer of Clausewitz's On War, and in his book, he develops Clausewitz's theories of limited war to show their applicability to the history of modern warfare. Although some of Fuller's more extreme political views are now discredited, The Conduct of War remains one of the seminal works of 20th-century military theory.

Genres: History, War, Military History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Politics

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Major-General John Frederick Charles Fuller, CB, CBE, DSO was a British Army officer (1899–1933), military historian and strategist, notable as an early theorist of modern armoured warfare, including categorising principles of warfare.

Fuller was also an early disciple of English poet and magician Aleister Crowley and was very familiar with his, and other forms of, magick and mysticism.

Reviews

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is definitely the best 'war' book I have read so far, which does not talk about troop movements, in-detail strategies and military manoeuvres but instead focuses on the philosophical aspect of war and battles as they progressed from a pre-industrial age into the modernist era wars culminating in the second W War. The book also analyses lost opportunities in the modern wars to close out instead of total annihilation. For example the Japan surrender, apparently the Japs were ready to surrender even before the atomic bombs which would have saved lives, but I guess a belligerent America had to flex its military muscle. I would recommend this book to one and all interested in the physcolgy of warfare.

[Reynold Witmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of your book was tremendous. The second was ok.
When Fuller wrote about subjects dispassionately, I really enjoyed it. Once he got to events involving his life time (WW1, rise of bolshevism, WWII) he became inflamed, pedantic, and at times just irritating. In spite of that, I liked hearing his perspectives.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in its own way. It's an interesting look into the theories and perspectives of a military leader during the 60's. Kind of makes me feel like I'm listening to some crazy uncle rant about 'those damn Commies' at points, although of course in a highly intellectual way.

[naseer yahya · Rating 3 out of 5]

ill fill this in next week iA

[Waseem Arshad · Rating 4 out of 5]

a concise book that gives maj concepts employed in modern warfare. also presents evolution of warfare and different theories given by maj Mil thinkers.
a must read for all students of Mil history.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Operational Art

I am a big fan of Fuller’s writings and consider him one of the best students of the challenge of arranging tactical tasks in time and space to achieve strategic ends states. His historical examples are well researched and couched in the philosophic context of the state of war and peace while taking into consideration the imperative of politics.

[Pushpendra Sahay · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best book on miltary affairs