steve on Nostr: “Strategy” by B. H. Liddell Hart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Early 20th ...
“Strategy” by B. H. Liddell Hart
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Early 20th century military theory was largely built on the shoulders of two giants: Clausewitz & Jomini. That said, it wasn’t until Liddell Hart’s work written after WWI that the field of military theory could reconcile the two Napoleonic giants. Liddell Hart makes the case that throughout history, strategists who take the indirect approach (vs. the head-on, direct one) are usually the victors. He presents a plethora of historical examples that reinforce operational concepts first introduced by Jomini. Interestingly though, he dispels the concept of “decisive battle” and elaborates on the idea of “grand strategy”. Military matters only represent one arrow in a nation’s quiver. Consequently, grand strategy is the art of the statesman in synchronizing all instruments of national power to achieve political objectives. The general must understand their role in this grander mechanism and employ violence appropriately. Liddell Hart was enjoyable to read and his witty quips make his ideas more memorable. Considering the obvious flaws presented by previous theorists, this is a must-read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Early 20th century military theory was largely built on the shoulders of two giants: Clausewitz & Jomini. That said, it wasn’t until Liddell Hart’s work written after WWI that the field of military theory could reconcile the two Napoleonic giants. Liddell Hart makes the case that throughout history, strategists who take the indirect approach (vs. the head-on, direct one) are usually the victors. He presents a plethora of historical examples that reinforce operational concepts first introduced by Jomini. Interestingly though, he dispels the concept of “decisive battle” and elaborates on the idea of “grand strategy”. Military matters only represent one arrow in a nation’s quiver. Consequently, grand strategy is the art of the statesman in synchronizing all instruments of national power to achieve political objectives. The general must understand their role in this grander mechanism and employ violence appropriately. Liddell Hart was enjoyable to read and his witty quips make his ideas more memorable. Considering the obvious flaws presented by previous theorists, this is a must-read.