How to Make War

by James F. Dunnigan

An indispensable guide to how wars are fought, James F. Dunnigan's classic text has been enormously popular with citizens, professional soldiers, and journalists alike. Now, it's been revised to include a stunning array of new subjects. From the cutting edge of cyberwar to the current concern about terrorism, How to Make War presents a clear picture of complex weapons, armed forces, and tactics. Describing a new world order, one with a greater number of equipped players than the "Big Two" (the United States and the former Soviet Union), this updated edition features all the elements of traditional warfare, along with a discussion of terrorist techniques; nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; and Third World ballistic missiles. Past editions of How to Make War were chillingly accurate in assessing and predicting the outcomes of all the major conflicts in the past two decades. Loaded with expertise and the latest information, this edition is an essential reference for any military library –– and a work that forewarns, and forearms, the Free World for the conflicts ahead.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, War, History, Military History, Reference, Politics

672 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want the hell scared out of you by how nasty future conflicts will be, this is a good book. Also good if you want to be able to interpet news coverage of the various conflicts going on around the world. Lastly, Dunnigan's writing style (cynical, humorous) makes this a fairly easy read, although I personally skipped all the technical detail he provided regarding the various weapons systems in use around the world (tanks, airplanes, etc.). If that's your thing (I'm not knocking it, but information like the 'weight of an M1 tank' is mindnumbingly boring to me) he'll provide you plenty of facts-n-figures as well. In my opinion the best part of the book were his analyses of past and present tactics (if you're wondering, most of them suck to various degrees) and his predictions of how future battles might look. Updated through the invasion of Afghanistan but doesn't include Iraq. Probably not a good book for those of you who think war is awesome, however (just watch Fox's coverage of the Iraqi invasion if that's your bag of tea).

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Red Storm Rising but without the dialogue.

[Avani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dry but amazingly thorough exploration of the details that go into the military and warfare. It doesn't shy away from the gruelling, menial, and negative aspects of war, either.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of solid information, although basic, and the tone is a bit breathless for my taste; I sometimes found myself reading a passage where the author seemed to think he had just presented something really surprising or shocking, and mentally asking him, "So?" But then, I spent twenty years in the military. Mr. Dunnigan does a service in this book not only by presenting the information he does, but by doing it in a way that emphasizes the traumatic, miserable, and just plain filthy and degrading aspects of life in combat that are usually glossed over in books and movies where a picturesque smudge of dirt on an actor's cheek shows that he's been living outdoors for weeks and is filthy, or a bruise or tastefully muted abrasion demonstrates that he's wounded.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've actually owned a few editions of this book. Dunnigan provides a very detailed insight into the whole framework of warfare as it exists today. Not just the technological, but also the polotical and economic aspects of it. He has also demonstrated a fairly high degree of prediction as to the types of conflicts we would find ourselves in. If you are interested in warfare, and not just the ironmongery aspect, then this is a great read.

[Mike Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was stationed in FRG in the early 80’s. Russians were supposed to come at us from the Fula gap they said. Practiced training in mopp level IV with endless driving all ove west Germany in blackout drive while wearing a gas mask… they were crazy times.
His book cleared up many thoughts about their tanks and maintenance performed was abysmal at best, they broke down continually, 500 tanks in 500 miles??? Forget it! These things didn’t occur or me. He brings alot of things to light. Stories I read about the T34 in the Korean War, with Task force Smith , getting annihilated and the peace time army collective by an occupational army was eye opening. Economy of force…. Thy built 100 tanks for billions, we build 100 tank drone killers for ten percent of that cost. Economy of force.
I was told he speaks at West Point to the Cadets. Consults the CIA… this may not be true, I don’t know personally… smart guy though

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember buying the first edition in a garage sale 7 years ago, read it cover to cover several times. Though the information in the book during the first edition dates back to the late 80's till early 90's surprisingly a lot of information and opinions on the matter stayed relevant well into this current era our militaries are undergoing... With the excemption of the opinions regarding ths Communist Bloc and consequently the military might of Russia, the book has held up quite well, still being somewhat relevant in our current day and age.

[Laurent Carbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful rundown of the main elements of modern warfare, or at least the modern warfare of the turn of the millennium. Occasionally funny and tedious in turns, probably at its worst when indulging in military machismo that has aged quite poorly.

[Max Lybbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, comprehensive survey of post-WWII warfare. Discusses weapons and equipment used by various countries, contrasts Western military doctrine with Soviet military doctrine (which relies on having many poorly-trained soldiers and little equipment, and has been adopted by many Third World countries). Provides an overview of what the military does during peacetime.

Gives ways to compare militaries. Provides an honest and clear assessment of the US military. Discusses what the US does right, what it does wrong (especially with regards to weapons procurement), potential weaknesses, and the great unknowns about weapons that have been developed since the last major war -- that is, weapons that haven't been used in the field.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deciding to read this magnificent book again 2/2017. A wonderful text on the logistics of war, even if the charts are out of date.

Had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Dunnigan some years ago on the Iraq War (Desert Storm). He was one of the few people that said it would be over before it started.

[Ckw538 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would never ever recommend this book to anyone. A 5 year old could do better at telling the world at how to make war. Just listen to the Anti-Flag song it is shorter and tells you how to create an enemy and start a war. And its all in ten easy steps.

[Travis Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

I notice that all the reviewers seem to be male. Well, this is "men's business" I guess. Very enlightening about the limitations of some of the "hi-tech" weaponry out there.

[Ben Sweezy · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh middle school. i was different.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still blows my mind. You can read even older editions of this book and gain insight into current global issues. Dunnigan has a gift for the abstract.

[Michael Herrman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presented from an analyst's perspective.

[Asdrubale Smanettone · Rating 2 out of 5]

interessante

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful. Lots of info, at some points too much so.

[Jeffry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it a long long long time ago. I think I thought it was "clever". It isn't.