War by Numbers: Understanding Conventional Combat

by Christopher A. Lawrence

War by Numbers assesses the nature of conventional warfare through the analysis of historical combat. Christopher A. Lawrence establishes what we know about conventional combat and why we know it. By demonstrating the impact a variety of factors have on combat he moves such analysis beyond the work of Carl von Clausewitz and into modern data and interpretation.

Using vast data sets, Lawrence examines force ratios, the human factor in case studies from World War II and beyond, the combat value of superior situational awareness, and the effects of dispersion, among other elements. Lawrence challenges existing interpretations of conventional warfare and shows how such combat should be conducted in the future, simultaneously broadening our understanding of what it means to fight wars by the numbers.
 

Genres: Military Fiction, Military History, War

390 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2017

About the author

Christopher A. Lawrence is a professional historian and military analyst. He is the Executive Director and President of The Dupuy Institute, an organization dedicated to scholarly research and objective analysis of historical data related to armed conflict and the resolution of armed conflict.

Reviews

[Farhad Zaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work functions more as a methodological guide than a narrative work covering bases and proceeding to explain the new spin, and it clearly targets a specialized audience. I particularly liked the (many) detailed data tables, the extensive citations for them, and the logical way the chapters where separated. However, the text would be more accessible if the authors had included the explicit formulas used to calculate key parameters such as "information advantage" and "combat value" for readers with mathematical/analysis training but little familiarity with military literature.

Once I reached the appendices and the principles they cited from other notable works, the entire framework clicked. Before that, it felt as though I was reading a numerical evaluation with little knowledge of underlying principles they had set out to evaluate. Despite this, the book successfully demonstrates how large databases can be parsed against specific criteria to reveal significant trend.

Overall, this is neither a basic introductory text nor a standard advanced book. It is a highly specialized resource designed for an audience seeking specific, data-driven insights. For that purpose, it is an excellent text.

[Dehran · Rating 4 out of 5]

"War by Numbers" by Christopher A. Lawrence explores the nature of conventional warfare by analyzing historical combat. The author delves into factors that impact combat, moving beyond traditional theories and incorporating modern data and interpretations. Lawrence examines force ratios, the human element in case studies from World War II and beyond, the importance of situational awareness, and the effects of dispersion. By challenging existing views on conventional warfare, Lawrence sheds light on how future conflicts should be approached. The book offers a comprehensive look at what it means to fight wars using quantitative analysis and data.