Winning Westeros: How Game of Thrones Explains Modern Military Conflict

by Max Brooks (Editor), John Amble (Editor), M.L. Cavanaugh (Editor)

Set in the fictitious world of Westeros, the hit television series Game of Thrones chronicles the bitter and violent struggle between the realm’s noble dynasties for control of the Seven Kingdoms. But this beloved fantasy drama has just as much to say about the successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Winning Westeros brings together more than thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals and admirals, policy advisors, counterinsurgency tacticians, science fiction and fantasy writers, and ground‑level military officers to explain the strategy and art of war by way of the Game of Thrones saga.
Each chapter of Winning Westeros provides a relatable, outside‑the‑box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the doomed butcher’s boy whom Arya Stark befriends by World War Z author Max Brooks poignantly reminds us of the cruel fate that civilians face during times of war. Another chapter on Jaqen H’ghar and the faceless men of Bravos explores the pivotal roles that stealth and intelligence play in battle. Whether considering the diplomatic prowess of Tyrion Lannister, the defiant leadership style of Daenerys Targaryen, the Battle of the Bastards and the importance of reserves, Brienne of Tarth and the increased role of women in combat, or dragons as weapons of mass destruction, Winning Westeros gives fans of Game of Thrones and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding the many facets of modern warfare. It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Game of Thrones itself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, History

304 pages, Unknown Binding

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Max Brooks is The New York Times bestselling author of The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z. He has been called ”the Studs Terkel of zombie journalism.“

Brooks is the son of director Mel Brooks and the late actress Anne Bancroft. He is a 1994 graduate of Pitzer College. His wife, Michelle, is a screenwriter, and the couple have a son, Henry.

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a great compilation that blends popular television drama with the dense study of warfare. For the uninitiated or novice practitioner, Winning Westeros gives you the metaphor to understand the practice of warfare more intimately. Conversely, this book gives the adept something to ponder.

I found the book a moderately difficult read - mostly because it is a book of essays, with each contributor writing in his or her own style somewhat disconnected from the previous chapter. I didn't find every chapter compelling but many give food-for-thought and reflection. A couple of my big take-aways:

One. Our democracy, while flawed is far better than anything in Westeros or the Middle Ages. Without institutions to protect the weak from the strong, you get the Melian Dialogue: the strong do what they will and the weak do what they must. Max Brooks comments on our worry of the deep state, but imagine a single person who IS the state. "Any system that allows Augustus will eventually spawn Caligula." This begins the discussion of warfare and its political origins. In Westeros, the nature of the political system begets war.

Two. Strategy never ends; it is an infinite game of constant competition. Tactics and operations play within strategic rules. Strategists change those rules. These are the islands in the South China Sea. The Game of Thrones is constant and the rules change in almost every episode.

Three. Effective leaders, strategic or otherwise, balance fear and love. They possess uncanny judgment to use ruthlessness and compassion in the right circumstance. They gather allies and aim towards a moral purpose that accepts the long-term objective over the short-term goal. Jon Stark and Cersi Lannister fail because they are singly compassionate or ruthless. Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow remain moral without sacrificing pragmatism.

Much more came from this read but the afore mentioned thoughts really resonated. Funny, it wasn't until I went back and re-read my notes that I realized the number of powerful lessons present. Reflection in action I suppose. The big downside is that media interest is fleeting. I often use metaphors from Band of Brothers in my class but 20-somethings haven't seen the series. So if you are a fan of the show and want to learn something about warfare, or you are a student of warfare and want a metaphor to aid your understanding - read this book soon.

[An]

Although interesting, it is unfortunately difficult to read this collection of essays without having the rushed mess that was season 8 of Game of Thrones hovering at the back of one's mind. These essays were clearly written before the final season had been released, and it shows—rather painfully, in the cheerful discussions of Dany, Jon Snow, etc. The dissonance between the amount of work put into these analyses and the show itself is jarring, and I do think timing is the issue. Perhaps if it had been released earlier, I might have more eagerly devoured this book. However, as it stands, with GoT having come to a tepid end, this book is a difficult read.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winning Westeros is perfect for any Game of Thrones fan who happens to be a history buff. Informative and entertaining while still remaining light, this book provides readers with tidbits of historical anecdotes that influenced some of our favorite moments and characters in the A Song of Ice and Fire Universe.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only problem I had with this book is that it could be more detailed. It’s an excellent overview of how events, characters, battles, strategy, armies and weapons in SOIAF relate back to our world and time. The recurring theme is that warfare itself changes very little, just the details. I had been hoping for more historical basis of Martin’s work. But Winning Westeros is a fine introduction to modern warfare and how much resemblance it has to Martin’s (or doesn’t). A great read for any civilian who wants to know what military scholars think of the series.

[Paul Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blending science fiction with reality the authors delve into lessons learned from Game of Thrones and apply them to modern warfare. This unique perspective allows the reader to see multiple viewpoints (the authors’ as well as the characters’) and relate to them through GoT. This approach makes the subject more relatable to all and helps challenge assumptions by asking readers to put aside the tribulations of daily routines and imagine taking part of a campaign steeped in mysticism, violence, and of course dragons.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for Game of Thrones fans. I have missed watching Game of Thrones and have enjoyed reliving it through this book. It is interesting to read about all of the similarities to history.

I am embarrassed to admit I am not very interested in history unless it has cinematic drama added to it.

I received this galley from NetGalley.

[Allison Scheler · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Game of Thrones, I enjoyed this book. I found it to be a more interesting way of explaining today's conflicts. They didn't wait for the final season of Game of Thrones to come out before releasing this book, so some of the speculative endings for arcs don't quite work, but maybe that's for the best.

[Mike Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give Max Brooks credit, he covers a lot of different topics. Here he is the editor of a collection of articles discussing strategic principles using the Game of Thrones as the setting to demonstrate the validity of these principles.

[Turgut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to “Strategy strikes back”. Worth reading

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read in an essay form. Some of the essays were a bit repetitive thus the 4 star instead of 5 star

[Strick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Lois Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several excellent essays in this book, but like all collections of this sort it’s a mixed bag. Several of the essays suffer from being too short or from focusing much too strenuously on how the events of the show apply to modern warfare instead of on illuminating our understanding of GoT and ASoIaF. Most people who pick up this collection will undoubtedly b more interested in discussion of the series than in issues of modern warfare, and it is in the area of series analysis that the collection disappoints. For example, I was eager to read about the characters Brienne of Tarth and Lyanna Mormont; however, that essay gave me no insight into those women and their actions. The timing of the collection is unfortunate as well; obviously these essays were written prior to season 8. All the praise here for Dany is sad, in retrospect. (And the nitpicking fan in me has to point out the many errors and inconsistencies in the text. It’s “Rickon,” not “Rikkon,” for example. And Westerosi knights are addressed as “Ser,” not “Sir.”)

[Paige Ovanisian]

eARC provided by Potomac Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. RTC!