War Studies Reader: From the Seventeenth Century to the Present Day and Beyond

by Gary D. Sheffield (Editor)

This reader provides authoritative and thought-provoking pieces of War Studies scholarship in an accessible form. Covering a wide spectrum of topics, including strategy (Colin S. Gray), 'Shell-Shock and the Cultural History of the Great War' (Jay Winter) and Coalition Warfare (Holger H. Herwig), this book purposefully ranges across military history, international relations and contemporary security to capture the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. Gary Sheffield also provides an introduction to the Reader and to War Studies, explaining the growth and development of this dynamic field of study.

360 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2010

About the author

Gary Sheffield is Professor of War Studies at the University of Wolverhampton. He is President of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides and a Vice President of the Western Front Association. He has published widely on the First World War and regularly broadcasts on television and radio as well as contributing to numerous journals, magazines and newspapers. Previous books include the acclaimed Forgotten Victory and The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army, which was shorlisted for the presigious Duke of Westminster's Medal.

Reviews

[Terry Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the softcover/paper edition.

This is a good reference book. Ten chapters that cover the basics - hence a primer. The first two essays set the tone - Why study history and why is strategy so difficult. The chapters then progress to total war - Shermans march across the south; Coalition warfare in 1914; German Guerrilla war in 44-45; Chapter 6 is VERY interesting for how it looks at the revolution in military affairs the next several chapters cover war culture and war sociology, and the last essay is on what vexes the US about Chinese Military Power.
The book has a decidedly UK bent but is most definitely reader friendly to the American reader. The Introduction is worth a thorough reading - 15 pages of essential primer material and all-in - all, the entire book is also good for the studied Practitioner. for the advanced student, Chapters 1 -6 and the introduction are worth the cost of a good used copy of this book from Abe Books, or Thriftbooks.

I recommend this book