What do you think?
Rate this book
Understanding Modern Warfare
A major study of the theory and practice of warfare in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Using relevant examples from recent history, this book provides a complete introduction to the issues, ideas, concepts, context and vocabulary of modern warfare. The expert team of authors explore the conduct of war across land, sea, air and space in addition to addressing key issues relating to contemporary strategy, weapons of mass destruction and irregular warfare, including insurgency, terrorism and civil war. They provide an incisive and structured grounding in military theory and argue for the importance of understanding warfare within the joint (inter-service) context and as an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary phenomenon. By providing the tools required to truly understand contemporary military doctrine this accessible survey will be an invaluable resource for any student of military history or international relations as well as for military professionals.
387 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
37 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 30, 2015
This was a very good book to read due to its easy-reading style and great structure. Each section of the book is authored by a different person, all of whom demonstrate a deep understanding of their area. Additionally the style it is written in communicates the ideas and concepts whilst avoiding technical language and jargon.
The book is structured by the topics which are; strategy, land warfare, naval warfare, air and space warfare, irregular warfare, and weapons of mass destruction. Each of the sections covers the major areas of doctrine/theory, the evolution of that domain over time, and its state in the current world. In addition each section is very well referenced allowing for further reading to take place with relative ease.
The book provides good domain knowledge, but also pulls it together through the chapter on strategy to identify the requirement for an over-arching plan and the political interfaces expected in modern war.
There are two areas I felt stopped the book from receiving five stars. Firstly, I felt that more could have been written on Jomini. He is discussed relative to Clausewitz, however when looking at the differences of opinion between the two they are only briefly mentioned, which fails to demonstrate that although there are similarities in strategic thoughts, there are also areas of disagreement. Additionally, I would have liked to see a chapter which pulls together all the changes experienced by each of the domains with regards to the nature of war. There is a brief (2-3 line) discussion on the seeming move away from 'full-scale war' in conflict, but it is not given detailed assessment or examination.
Despite these two areas, the book is still a wonderful read, either as an introduction to warfare, or as a refresher and exposure to additional ideas. I would highly recommend for any student of modern war.
The book is structured by the topics which are; strategy, land warfare, naval warfare, air and space warfare, irregular warfare, and weapons of mass destruction. Each of the sections covers the major areas of doctrine/theory, the evolution of that domain over time, and its state in the current world. In addition each section is very well referenced allowing for further reading to take place with relative ease.
The book provides good domain knowledge, but also pulls it together through the chapter on strategy to identify the requirement for an over-arching plan and the political interfaces expected in modern war.
There are two areas I felt stopped the book from receiving five stars. Firstly, I felt that more could have been written on Jomini. He is discussed relative to Clausewitz, however when looking at the differences of opinion between the two they are only briefly mentioned, which fails to demonstrate that although there are similarities in strategic thoughts, there are also areas of disagreement. Additionally, I would have liked to see a chapter which pulls together all the changes experienced by each of the domains with regards to the nature of war. There is a brief (2-3 line) discussion on the seeming move away from 'full-scale war' in conflict, but it is not given detailed assessment or examination.
Despite these two areas, the book is still a wonderful read, either as an introduction to warfare, or as a refresher and exposure to additional ideas. I would highly recommend for any student of modern war.
January 4, 2025
David Jordan's Understanding Modern Warfare serves as an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the complexities of contemporary conflict. It covers a broad range of topics, including strategy, tactics, technological advancements, and the role of different military branches in modern warfare. The book is well-structured and balances historical context with modern examples, making it useful for students and those new to the study of military theory.
However, despite its breadth, Understanding Modern Warfare has notable omissions that limit its depth. The book focuses heavily on conventional warfare between state actors, devoting insufficient attention to the growing importance of irregular warfare, insurgencies, and hybrid warfare tactics that have characterized much of the 21st century. Given the prominence of non-state actors, cyber operations, and information warfare in modern conflicts—seen in places like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and cyberspace—Jordan's traditional framework feels somewhat outdated.
Additionally, while the book provides solid overviews of technological advancements such as drones and precision weaponry, it doesn't engage deeply with the ethical and legal implications of these technologies. The rise of autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber capabilities has introduced new moral dilemmas and operational uncertainties that the text largely glosses over. This leaves readers with a sense that the discussion of modern warfare remains incomplete, especially in an era where technology has begun to blur the lines between combatants and civilians, war zones and home fronts.
In summary, Understanding Modern Warfare is a strong foundation for understanding the basics of modern military theory, but its focus on conventional warfare and its limited engagement with non-state actors, technological ethics, and hybrid conflict zones make it less reflective of the complexities of today's evolving battlefield. Readers seeking a more nuanced understanding of modern conflicts may need to look beyond this text to grasp the full range of challenges facing contemporary military strategies.
However, despite its breadth, Understanding Modern Warfare has notable omissions that limit its depth. The book focuses heavily on conventional warfare between state actors, devoting insufficient attention to the growing importance of irregular warfare, insurgencies, and hybrid warfare tactics that have characterized much of the 21st century. Given the prominence of non-state actors, cyber operations, and information warfare in modern conflicts—seen in places like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and cyberspace—Jordan's traditional framework feels somewhat outdated.
Additionally, while the book provides solid overviews of technological advancements such as drones and precision weaponry, it doesn't engage deeply with the ethical and legal implications of these technologies. The rise of autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber capabilities has introduced new moral dilemmas and operational uncertainties that the text largely glosses over. This leaves readers with a sense that the discussion of modern warfare remains incomplete, especially in an era where technology has begun to blur the lines between combatants and civilians, war zones and home fronts.
In summary, Understanding Modern Warfare is a strong foundation for understanding the basics of modern military theory, but its focus on conventional warfare and its limited engagement with non-state actors, technological ethics, and hybrid conflict zones make it less reflective of the complexities of today's evolving battlefield. Readers seeking a more nuanced understanding of modern conflicts may need to look beyond this text to grasp the full range of challenges facing contemporary military strategies.
March 14, 2018
Good overview
January 23, 2021
Surprisingly readable. Good reading suggestions.
Read
November 3, 2025*for uni*
December 20, 2023
I didn't get to the cool parts, got bored
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews