A Concise History of Warfare

by Bernard Montgomery

This stimulating booktakes it's place as a classic commentary on the history of warfare. It is the fruit of a lifetime spent in the study and tactics of war and it bears the authority of one who will without doubt be numbered among the great commanders.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC; 17 November 1887 – 24 March 1976), nicknamed "Monty" and the "Spartan General", was a British Army officer. He saw action in the First World War, where he was seriously wounded. During the Second World War he commanded the Eighth Army from August 1942 in the Western Desert until the final Allied victory in Tunisia. This command included the Battle of El Alamein, a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign. He subsequently commanded the Eighth Army in Sicily and Italy.

He was in command of all Allied ground forces during Operation Overlord from the initial landings until after the Battle of Normandy. He then continued in command of the 21st Army Group for the rest of the campaign in North West Europe. As such he was the principal field commander for the failed airborne attempt to bridge the Rhine at Arnhem and the Allied Rhine crossing. On 4 May 1945 he took the German surrender at Lüneburg Heath in northern Germany. After the war he became Commander-in-Chief of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in Germany and then Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

Reviews

[Michael Barsoum · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب فوق الممتاز
معتقدش حد احسن من مونتجمرى بأصراره و دقته كان ممكن يحط ملخص افضل من دا للتاريخ العسكرى
و الكتاب بيناسب القارئ من كل المستويات و مش محتاج واحد متعمق قوى فى التاريخ علشان يفهمه
طبعا مش كل المعلومات بس انت ممكن تدور بعد كده فى المواضيع اللى تشدك بالتفصيل
انصح بقرأته جدا

[John Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of warfare from the bronze age up to World War 2 this book by Field Marshall Montgomery is an easy read and highly informative. However the book is euro-centric and some of the information has been surpassed by more recent works since its publication in 1968. The authors english prejudices can also be clearly seen in some sections, for examle the british capture of Quebec in the 7 years war receives as much space as the entire American War of Independence. I found his World War 2 section to be particularly self serving taking undue credit for victories to himself, giving mistakes and rivals little coverage and climing that if his plans had been followed the war would have been shorter and soviet influence in eastern europe greatly reduced. Despite these flaws it is however an excellent book and highly recommended to anyone beginning to read about military history.

[Erik Empson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part an enjoyable and informative read. It is a sweeping history, and somewhat selective, but a useful one in so far as it charts the development of the technology of war and how that intersects with strategy and tactics. Once we get to the Second World War the topic is so broad and the opportunity so small, this brief inevitably becomes a little sidelined, but some of the author's observations on his own experiences are of great interest here.
A good commander and a good strategist must endeavour to maintain an objective view of things, one not coloured by prejudice of any kind. Montgomery exhibits this quality, and is largely fair and balanced in his judgement, not succumbing to the racial and imperialist mindset that was so entrenched in the establishment of his time. However in the penultimate chapter, he does slip into this a little when he suggests that contemporary problems are due to the fact that the "white man" has lost his leadership role. And with the strong religious overtones of the last chapter, where the high point of leadership is posited as spiritual, I think it becomes a little disingenuous. But forgiveness is not the preserve of the Christian faith and I think he can be allowed it. Interestingly Montgomery does argue, rightly I believe, both in the prosecution of the war against Germany in WWI and Japan in WWII that it was a failure of political leadership, in demanding total surrender, that the war was prolonged, and he opposed the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the same basis.
Overall, well worth the read.

[Robert Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the companion volume to a much larger book, simply called 'A History of Warfare'. In both cases, however, the focus is not so much on warfare as on generalship, something which Montgomery was very familiar with.

As is often the case, this is an excellent book for acquiring "the big picture" with a sweeping view of warfare through the ages. For those who profess to be expets in the field it might be better to read specialist books on each period.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that I didn't think that this book would be all that good but I was pleasantly surprised. The best chapters are by far the earlier ones and provide a very concise version of the historical events of the battle.

I think book also adequately covers each period very well and doesn't get too involved in the low level detail. The later chapters, especially the ones in which Montgomery participated, are more involved and detailed. The later chapters also tend to be more focused on Montgomery's contribution to history which does detract from the book slightly.

It is interesting that Montgomery considers the Australian General Monash to be the best command of World War One, and in one place even states that Monash should have been given overall command of the British forces. This, as Montgomery says, would have greatly reduced the casualty count for the war. Something I very much agree with.

All in a very worthwhile book that covers military history over the ages. I would recommend it those students of history who want a better understand of the major conflicts of the age from someone who has commanded large forces in the field.

[Dan Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it up in the middle and read about medieval knights and such. Quite good.