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Very Short Introductions #523
Military Strategy: A Very Short Introduction
Distilling the ideas of the greatest military theoreticians of history, including Sun Tzu, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Carl von Clausewitz, Antulio J. Echevarria II presents a fascinating account of the "art of the general." Drawing on historical examples, from Hannibal's war against Rome to Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz, from the Allies' campaign to overwhelm Hitler's fortress to the terror attacks of September 11, Echevarria vividly describes the major types of military strategy and their advantages and disadvantages.
Clear and engaging, this book shows that military strategy is essential for understanding major events of the past and becomes even more critical today, in a world increasingly threatened by weapons of mass destruction, terrorist attacks, and new dimensions of conflict such as cyberwar and space.
Clear and engaging, this book shows that military strategy is essential for understanding major events of the past and becomes even more critical today, in a world increasingly threatened by weapons of mass destruction, terrorist attacks, and new dimensions of conflict such as cyberwar and space.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2017
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811 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 4, 2024
الكتاب ضحل في تناوله، لكن من نقاط قوته تعزيزه بأمثلة تاريخية حربية وعسكرية كثيرة كتطبيقات للإستراتيجيات العسكرية المذكورة.
February 9, 2019
A brief verbal exchange that purportedly took place between an American colonel and a North Vietnamese colonel in 1975 during the negotiations that ended the Vietnam War illustrates the importance of good military strategy. The American colonel, Harry G. Summers Jr., said: “You know you never defeated us on the battlefield.” His North Vietnamese counterpart, Colonel Tu, paused a moment, then replied: “That may be so, but it is also irrelevant.”
This exchange is often cited—perhaps too often—to highlight shortcomings in U.S. strategic thinking during the Vietnam War. Winning wars is not just a matter of winning battles. One needs a military strategy capable of making one’s victories count. The United States spent valuable resources winning many of the key battles in the Vietnam conflict only to lose the war, and the assumptions underpinning U.S. military strategy were partly to blame.
In practice, strategy comes down to out-positioning one’s rivals, not just militarily, but also diplomatically and, if possible, economically and culturally, even before the first clash of arms and often well after hostilities have ceased. This is true whether the struggle is global or local in scope and whether it involves the highest or least of stakes.
The nineteenth-century Prussian military writer Carl von Clausewitz drew a sharp distinction between tactics and strategy: he defined the former is the use of armed forces to win engagements; the latter is the “use of engagements to achieve the purpose of the war.”
Modern defense analysts often divide military strategy (and grand strategy) into three essential components: ends (objectives) + ways (courses of action) + means (resources). This model was advanced by Arthur F. Lykke Jr., an engineer by training, who taught a generation of military professionals in the United States.
Ends or objectives may include intimidating, deterring, persuading, coercing, punishing, subduing, or conquering an adversary. Ways are essentially types of military strategy, or combinations of them. Means equate to military power.
Military power can be augmented by what analysts call principles of war or principles of operations. These principles are sometimes characterized as timeless and universal, but they are not necessarily either. Although they can offer advantages to one party or the other, the extent to which they do so is driven largely by the situation. The following nine principles appear most frequently in professional military literature: (1) objective, defining the goal and ensuring every military action contributes toward achieving it; (2) maneuver, gaining positional advantage; (3) surprise, attacking ...more
As Sun Tzu once said, “Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed”.
As Sun Tzu said centuries ago, “Both advantage and danger are inherent in maneuver.”
The Roman military writer Vegetius once composed an axiom as ironic as it is memorable: “If you desire peace, prepare for war.”
Terrorists usually choose their targets for psychological value rather than for material gain.
Mao claimed: “The people are like water and the [Revolutionary] army is like fish.” Without water, the fish simply die. Likewise, without the people’s support, the revolutionary army dissolves. In early Maoist thought, that support was to be secured by whatever means necessary.
In contrast, targeted killing—also known as “leadership targeting,” “strategic assassination,” or “targeted assassination”—is more akin to attrition. In brief, targeted killing is the systematic assassination of personnel belonging to a hostile group, and it is analogous to what former CIA counterterrorism expert Bruce Riedel has called “mowing the grass.” “You’ve got to mow the lawn all the time,” he advised; the “minute you stop mowing, the grass is going to grow back.”
Numerous theories explain why strategies succeed or fail. Ultimately, though, a successful military strategy is simply one that works. Nothing in war is certain, but nothing in war should be left to chance either. Taking all the right steps will not guarantee victory, but doing so can tip the odds in one’s favor.
This exchange is often cited—perhaps too often—to highlight shortcomings in U.S. strategic thinking during the Vietnam War. Winning wars is not just a matter of winning battles. One needs a military strategy capable of making one’s victories count. The United States spent valuable resources winning many of the key battles in the Vietnam conflict only to lose the war, and the assumptions underpinning U.S. military strategy were partly to blame.
In practice, strategy comes down to out-positioning one’s rivals, not just militarily, but also diplomatically and, if possible, economically and culturally, even before the first clash of arms and often well after hostilities have ceased. This is true whether the struggle is global or local in scope and whether it involves the highest or least of stakes.
The nineteenth-century Prussian military writer Carl von Clausewitz drew a sharp distinction between tactics and strategy: he defined the former is the use of armed forces to win engagements; the latter is the “use of engagements to achieve the purpose of the war.”
Modern defense analysts often divide military strategy (and grand strategy) into three essential components: ends (objectives) + ways (courses of action) + means (resources). This model was advanced by Arthur F. Lykke Jr., an engineer by training, who taught a generation of military professionals in the United States.
Ends or objectives may include intimidating, deterring, persuading, coercing, punishing, subduing, or conquering an adversary. Ways are essentially types of military strategy, or combinations of them. Means equate to military power.
Military power can be augmented by what analysts call principles of war or principles of operations. These principles are sometimes characterized as timeless and universal, but they are not necessarily either. Although they can offer advantages to one party or the other, the extent to which they do so is driven largely by the situation. The following nine principles appear most frequently in professional military literature: (1) objective, defining the goal and ensuring every military action contributes toward achieving it; (2) maneuver, gaining positional advantage; (3) surprise, attacking ...more
As Sun Tzu once said, “Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed”.
As Sun Tzu said centuries ago, “Both advantage and danger are inherent in maneuver.”
The Roman military writer Vegetius once composed an axiom as ironic as it is memorable: “If you desire peace, prepare for war.”
Terrorists usually choose their targets for psychological value rather than for material gain.
Mao claimed: “The people are like water and the [Revolutionary] army is like fish.” Without water, the fish simply die. Likewise, without the people’s support, the revolutionary army dissolves. In early Maoist thought, that support was to be secured by whatever means necessary.
In contrast, targeted killing—also known as “leadership targeting,” “strategic assassination,” or “targeted assassination”—is more akin to attrition. In brief, targeted killing is the systematic assassination of personnel belonging to a hostile group, and it is analogous to what former CIA counterterrorism expert Bruce Riedel has called “mowing the grass.” “You’ve got to mow the lawn all the time,” he advised; the “minute you stop mowing, the grass is going to grow back.”
Numerous theories explain why strategies succeed or fail. Ultimately, though, a successful military strategy is simply one that works. Nothing in war is certain, but nothing in war should be left to chance either. Taking all the right steps will not guarantee victory, but doing so can tip the odds in one’s favor.
January 21, 2023
Military Strategy : A Very Short Introduction (2017) by Antulio J. Echevarria II is another very good very short Introduction. Echevarria has a PhD from Princeton and is a graduate of the US Army War College. He clearly knows his subject in great depth but has still managed to produce a short, punchy summary.
The book first describes what military strategy is. Then there are six chapters on different forms of strategy and then a quick discussion of what causes a strategy to succeed or fail. There are chapters on annihilation and dislocation, attrition and exhaustion, deterrence and coercion, terror and terrorism, decapitation and targeted killing and cyber power and military strategy. All except the chapter on cyber power flow really well and cohere with each other. The examples for each are well chosen and clearly described.
Military Strategy : A Very Short Introduction is very much worth the time it takes to read the book.
The book first describes what military strategy is. Then there are six chapters on different forms of strategy and then a quick discussion of what causes a strategy to succeed or fail. There are chapters on annihilation and dislocation, attrition and exhaustion, deterrence and coercion, terror and terrorism, decapitation and targeted killing and cyber power and military strategy. All except the chapter on cyber power flow really well and cohere with each other. The examples for each are well chosen and clearly described.
Military Strategy : A Very Short Introduction is very much worth the time it takes to read the book.
October 21, 2022
Great introduction for people not familiar with the topic. The authors style is quite clear, the flow of information steady.
July 25, 2024
a mixed bag of pro / con
This short ( but not fast) lecture is like an intro to terms & definitions. it's about 5 hours of terminology and what these words / acronyms mean. It goes from general to specific and from prehistory to cyber warfare and drones. This focuses more on the late 20th century, not antiquity. look elsewhere for more involved information about historic or obsolete strategies. you will only get the bare bones of Roman / Macedonian / Chinese kinda stuff in-favor of air-superiority and the Rand corporation. then again, this is all bare bones, just a lot of bones here.
If you are into Military stuff, you already know 90% of this. If you are just now taking an interest this could feel like trying to read the dictionary from cover to cover.
Lucky for all of us Antulio J. Echevarria II livens this whole thing up with relevant anecdotes that clarify the point.
This is a great crash course or refresher, but could easily become onerous if you are not engaged by the subject.
This short ( but not fast) lecture is like an intro to terms & definitions. it's about 5 hours of terminology and what these words / acronyms mean. It goes from general to specific and from prehistory to cyber warfare and drones. This focuses more on the late 20th century, not antiquity. look elsewhere for more involved information about historic or obsolete strategies. you will only get the bare bones of Roman / Macedonian / Chinese kinda stuff in-favor of air-superiority and the Rand corporation. then again, this is all bare bones, just a lot of bones here.
If you are into Military stuff, you already know 90% of this. If you are just now taking an interest this could feel like trying to read the dictionary from cover to cover.
Lucky for all of us Antulio J. Echevarria II livens this whole thing up with relevant anecdotes that clarify the point.
This is a great crash course or refresher, but could easily become onerous if you are not engaged by the subject.
November 18, 2025
forgot I finished this. required reading. if you like intimidating finance bros on the tube this is a good choice. content wise pretty basic but useful
May 13, 2019
This book was not quite as refined as I was hoping—but it was very meticulous for its size. The best part was all the historical examples. By no means was this book raw theory. Very well grounded. Very interesting.
August 30, 2021
A succinct but solid introduction to the realm of military strategy. Echevarria neatly covers the different paradigms of modern strategy in a chronological manner (from Napoleon to cyber-power). Good for anyone who wants to get into the theory and practice of military power.
January 27, 2022
The sections on strategy are concise and well-explicated. However, espionage and information campaigns are notably (and unfortunately) omitted. The section on "cyber warfare" is confused and garbled in its attempt to argue against particular views on it. Overall, a good addition to Oxford's VSI series.
December 1, 2021
I think this was the perfect book to introduce me into the topic of strategy. There are some good historical references to make it relevant and easily understandable. It has given me an appetite to explore this topic further. First I was just curious after reading this book I'm actually interested.
April 4, 2022
This concise guide to military strategy is well-organized and can be readily understood by an amateur reader. The book provides an overview of the domain of military strategy by comparing and contrasting related pairs of strategic paradigms.
After an overview chapter (ch. 1) that broadly defines the subject and lays out the organization for the rest of the book, chapter two explores strategies of annihilation and how they are similar to and different from strategies of dislocation. Chapter three investigates attrition and exhaustion, strategies that deal in destroying warfighting resources and will to fight, respectively. Chapter four elucidates how the threat of force can be used to keep the enemy from making a move (deterrence,) or force them to make a desired move (coercion.) Chapter five looks at strategies that rely on instilling fear to change an opponent’s behavior, including aerial bombardment and terrorist tactics. Chapter six considers different approaches to using selective targeting to achieve strategic goals: i.e. decapitation and targeted killing. The penultimate chapter (ch. 7) contrasts the various approaches to cyber warfare with cyber-power, more generally.
The final chapter (ch. 8) briefly examines the determinants of success and failure of military strategy.
The book is straightforward and uses historical cases to provide clear examples of each type of strategy. It doesn’t go much beyond definition and some classic examples, but it is an excellent starting point for organizing one’s thoughts on the topic in preparation to learn more.
If you’re in need of a concise overview of (or refresher on) military strategy, this is a fine guide to consider.
After an overview chapter (ch. 1) that broadly defines the subject and lays out the organization for the rest of the book, chapter two explores strategies of annihilation and how they are similar to and different from strategies of dislocation. Chapter three investigates attrition and exhaustion, strategies that deal in destroying warfighting resources and will to fight, respectively. Chapter four elucidates how the threat of force can be used to keep the enemy from making a move (deterrence,) or force them to make a desired move (coercion.) Chapter five looks at strategies that rely on instilling fear to change an opponent’s behavior, including aerial bombardment and terrorist tactics. Chapter six considers different approaches to using selective targeting to achieve strategic goals: i.e. decapitation and targeted killing. The penultimate chapter (ch. 7) contrasts the various approaches to cyber warfare with cyber-power, more generally.
The final chapter (ch. 8) briefly examines the determinants of success and failure of military strategy.
The book is straightforward and uses historical cases to provide clear examples of each type of strategy. It doesn’t go much beyond definition and some classic examples, but it is an excellent starting point for organizing one’s thoughts on the topic in preparation to learn more.
If you’re in need of a concise overview of (or refresher on) military strategy, this is a fine guide to consider.
October 13, 2020
This is a concise little synopsis of military strategy. Very lovely introduction, well written and to the point. Here are my notes:
Strategy
The way one puts will into reality, sometimes up against circumstances or another’s will. Winner doesn’t exist, it is just the one who does not give up.
Ends (objectives) + ways (course of action) + means (resources) + Risk (causes and likelihood of failure)
Policy seeks to balance all 4
Plan vs strategy = nature of the environment and presence of an adversary
Principles
1. Objective
2. Maneuver-positional advantage
3. Surprise
4. Mass- concentrating power
5. Economy - secondary efforts receive only force necessary and no more
6. Offensive- initiative
7. Security
8. Simplicity
9. Unity of command - single leader or single strategy to avoid conflicting interests
Strategy
The way one puts will into reality, sometimes up against circumstances or another’s will. Winner doesn’t exist, it is just the one who does not give up.
Ends (objectives) + ways (course of action) + means (resources) + Risk (causes and likelihood of failure)
Policy seeks to balance all 4
Plan vs strategy = nature of the environment and presence of an adversary
Principles
1. Objective
2. Maneuver-positional advantage
3. Surprise
4. Mass- concentrating power
5. Economy - secondary efforts receive only force necessary and no more
6. Offensive- initiative
7. Security
8. Simplicity
9. Unity of command - single leader or single strategy to avoid conflicting interests
September 30, 2021
A good mix of theory and practical examples. Not much detail or specifics, but that is not what the book was designed to be.
Military strategy consists of the elements of ends (objective to be reached), ways (the methods used to reach those objectives), means (resources), and risk.
Most of the book then goes into the different types of military strategy: annihilation (destroying an enemy force), dislocation (maneuvering to not allow the enemy to respond), attrition (wearing down the enemy’s ability to fight), exhaustion (wearing down the enemy’s will to fight), deterrence (preventing enemy from taking an action), coercion (forcing an enemy to take an action), decapitation (assassinating leadership), targeted killings (reducing enemy numbers), and cyber strategy (denying enemy access to information, stealing enemy information, and sabotaging enemy systems).
Military strategy consists of the elements of ends (objective to be reached), ways (the methods used to reach those objectives), means (resources), and risk.
Most of the book then goes into the different types of military strategy: annihilation (destroying an enemy force), dislocation (maneuvering to not allow the enemy to respond), attrition (wearing down the enemy’s ability to fight), exhaustion (wearing down the enemy’s will to fight), deterrence (preventing enemy from taking an action), coercion (forcing an enemy to take an action), decapitation (assassinating leadership), targeted killings (reducing enemy numbers), and cyber strategy (denying enemy access to information, stealing enemy information, and sabotaging enemy systems).
July 27, 2025
As with most of the “Very Short Introduction” series, this one’s brevity provides but a taste of what author Antulio J. Echevarria II hopefully gives in his larger works. Its brevity doesn’t render it deficient, and it is very clearly written. The problem is that it was simply an appetizer. I found myself hungry for more. But it is worth reading, and gives one a general overview of strategy. For me there was definitely some illumination provided. I’m off to Amazon to see what else Echevarria has to offer.
I’ll probably never quite look at geopolitics and war the same again. I like to think this book will have given me a more measuring eye for the myriad conflicts in the world today.
I’ll probably never quite look at geopolitics and war the same again. I like to think this book will have given me a more measuring eye for the myriad conflicts in the world today.
August 22, 2023
7.5/10
Im Allgemeinen bin ich ein großer Fan der Very Short Introduction-Reihe, und das Werk von Antulio J. Echevarria II hat hier nicht enttäuscht.
Die Kürze des Werks ermöglicht es, sich an nur einem Nachmittag einen sehr guten Überblick über die verschiedenen Facetten von Militärstrategien zu verschaffen. Dabei erklärt Echevarria viele Arten militärischer Strategien, die er mit Beispielen historischer Schlachten und Kriege (seien es Schlachten aus der Antike wie die Schlacht von Cannae oder Lehren aus dem Irak-Krieg) sehr schön illustriert.
Was mich allerdings ein wenig enttäuscht hat, war der Teil über die Cyber Power, wobei nicht der Inhalt selbst das Problem war, sondern ich mir hier etwas mehr Tiefe gewünscht hätte.
Im Allgemeinen bin ich ein großer Fan der Very Short Introduction-Reihe, und das Werk von Antulio J. Echevarria II hat hier nicht enttäuscht.
Die Kürze des Werks ermöglicht es, sich an nur einem Nachmittag einen sehr guten Überblick über die verschiedenen Facetten von Militärstrategien zu verschaffen. Dabei erklärt Echevarria viele Arten militärischer Strategien, die er mit Beispielen historischer Schlachten und Kriege (seien es Schlachten aus der Antike wie die Schlacht von Cannae oder Lehren aus dem Irak-Krieg) sehr schön illustriert.
Was mich allerdings ein wenig enttäuscht hat, war der Teil über die Cyber Power, wobei nicht der Inhalt selbst das Problem war, sondern ich mir hier etwas mehr Tiefe gewünscht hätte.
December 31, 2024
Some of his analysis is simplistic. His suggestion that Churchill was cursed with two underperforming generals in North Africa before Bernard Law Montgomery flew in to save the day ignores that fact that Archibald Wavell savaged the Italians and was poised to throw them out of Tunisia until Churchill stole half of his army and most of his Airforce for the doomed intervention in Greece. How different the war might have been if the Allies controlled the eastern Levant from Palestine to the borders of Vichy Algeria, and Erwin Rommel never got a chance to shine.
October 19, 2019
A better title for this book would have been Military Strategies, as the book is basically a categorization of the various strategies used in violent conflict (broadly defined). Sadly, only the last half-dozen pages actually delved into what makes strategies succeed or fail.
So, this was an OK book, but not what at all what I was looking for.
So, this was an OK book, but not what at all what I was looking for.
April 27, 2021
Nice little introduction, as the title suggests. While I would have appreciated more maps and diagrams, the tiny footprint of the page does not allow many options. It is a little sickening to read about terrorism, assassination, and other wanton acts of violence described in such a cavalier manner, but I suppose that's what I get for reading a book on military strategy.
March 18, 2024
This very short introduction is precisely that: a solid overview to military strategies. While I would have loved a greater dive into each subheading and a greater analysis of the historical examples given, I am asking for something beyond 'a very short introduction'. Highly recommended to anyone looking to learn more about the subject matter.
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May 15, 2018Don't let the fact this book is "Short" dissuade anyone from reading it. It gets to the nuts and bolts of strategy without any fluff. The treatment is both compelling and interesting.. My only criticism is the end of the book is so abrupt it doesn't tie anything together.
August 11, 2021
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Very clear, concise introduction to an interesting field I knew nothing about, backed up with lots of illustrative historical examples. Very enjoyable, educational and enlightening introduction for novices.
May 17, 2023
Very nice introduction, well written. In just a few pages you’ll get introduced on the topic of military strategy. The chapter on cyber war was nice, but it seemed to me the author was also trying to make his point.
July 24, 2017
From the Oxford University Press Very Short Introduction series, a good survey of the evolution of military strategy. Emphasizes the role that technology has had on the development strategy.
May 16, 2018
Excellent introduction deep yet brief giving enough to chew on with a desire for more, multiple fields are explored with ancient and contemporary examples.
June 3, 2018
Sintesis de andar por casa, escrita con la habilidad de la simplicidad, lo que siempre es bueno.
September 3, 2018
A thorough, though brief, introduction to the basic concepts of military strategy, focusing on broad categories, backed with historical examples.
September 21, 2019
Excellent broad view of the most issues. I highly recommend it.
May 9, 2020
"Nothing in war is certain, but nothing in war should be left to chance either. Taking all the right steps will not guarantee victory, but doing so can tip the odds in one's favor."
March 23, 2021
A nice intro on the subject.
August 1, 2021
Missing some elements
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews