<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Introduction to the Principles of War
Review: At first glance, this thin, 223-page volume, which covers eighteen famous battles, might appear to offer little that is new or noteworthy. However, such a first impression would be erroneous, for the Atlas of Battle Plans is an excellent addition to any military library. This book should also be on the reading list of any serious military professionals. Although most of these engagements are well known, the essays written on each battle offer amazingly fresh perspectives. The Atlas of Battle Plans attempts to discuss what was planned versus what occurred in eighteen battles. These battles are divided up into six sections, each with three battles that are representative of a given condition. These sections are: the classic ploys, surprise, misunderstanding, mission impossible, underestimating the enemy and narrow margins. The section on underestimating the enemy for example, includes the battles of Austerlitz 1805, Isandlwana 1879 and Singapore 1942. Each section has a brief introduction that summarizes the particular aspects of a type of battle. Each battle essay discusses the plans for both sides and has a before and after map. While the essays are succinct, they are also sufficient to detail the salient operational points. There is also a bibliography following each essay. The writing style is both excellent and candid. Typically British military historians like to portray disasters as "gallant failures." Not here. In the section on the Blitzkrieg of 1940, the author notes that, "what seemed the 'miracle of Dunkirk must not be allowed to obscure the scale of the disaster: roughly 61 Allied divisions had been destroyed, including the best Allied armoured and motorized formations." In discussing the Battle of the Somme in 1916, that author notes that, "it almost seems as if they [the British generals] sat down and deliberately worked out how to get their own men killed to no purpose." This volume would best be described as an introduction to the principles of war with case examples, rather than just a summary of battles. Taken together, the essays drive home in text and graphics, the fundamentals of operational-level warfare. This book should be read and re-read by military professionals and serious historians. The only failing of the volume is that not all the principles of war were addressed.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction to the Principles of War
Review: At first glance, this thin, 223-page volume, which covers eighteen famous battles, might appear to offer little that is new or noteworthy. However, such a first impression would be erroneous, for the Atlas of Battle Plans is an excellent addition to any military library. This book should also be on the reading list of any serious military professionals. Although most of these engagements are well known, the essays written on each battle offer amazingly fresh perspectives. The Atlas of Battle Plans attempts to discuss what was planned versus what occurred in eighteen battles. These battles are divided up into six sections, each with three battles that are representative of a given condition. These sections are: the classic ploys, surprise, misunderstanding, mission impossible, underestimating the enemy and narrow margins. The section on underestimating the enemy for example, includes the battles of Austerlitz 1805, Isandlwana 1879 and Singapore 1942. Each section has a brief introduction that summarizes the particular aspects of a type of battle. Each battle essay discusses the plans for both sides and has a before and after map. While the essays are succinct, they are also sufficient to detail the salient operational points. There is also a bibliography following each essay. The writing style is both excellent and candid. Typically British military historians like to portray disasters as "gallant failures." Not here. In the section on the Blitzkrieg of 1940, the author notes that, "what seemed the 'miracle of Dunkirk must not be allowed to obscure the scale of the disaster: roughly 61 Allied divisions had been destroyed, including the best Allied armoured and motorized formations." In discussing the Battle of the Somme in 1916, that author notes that, "it almost seems as if they [the British generals] sat down and deliberately worked out how to get their own men killed to no purpose." This volume would best be described as an introduction to the principles of war with case examples, rather than just a summary of battles. Taken together, the essays drive home in text and graphics, the fundamentals of operational-level warfare. This book should be read and re-read by military professionals and serious historians. The only failing of the volume is that not all the principles of war were addressed.
<< 1 >>
| 
