Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice (Science 101 (Collins)) [Paperback]

David Galula (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1964 | ISBN-10: 0275989410 | ISBN-13: 978-0275989415

This book provides an analysis of how to countermine insurgency and the elements that might hinder its defeat. Inspired by his military experiences as a French military officer and attache in China, Greece, Southeast Asia, and Algeria, the author realized the "need for a compass" in the suppression of insurgency, and he set out to "define the laws of counterinsurgency warfare, to deduce from them its principles, and to outline the corresponding strategy and tactics." Written in 1964, the book in its new printing is as relevant now as it was forty years ago. "Counterinsurgency Warfare" provides the template for the defeat of today's insurgents and terrorists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The best “how-to” guide to counterinsurgency warfare. --Bernard Fall, Author of Street Without Joy, 1967 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

This book examines the strategy and means to defeat insurgenct or guerrilla movements based on the author's first-hand experience in China, Greece, Indochina, and Algeria.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Security International (May 1964)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275989410
• ISBN-13: 978-0275989415
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,551,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, insightful and relevant today., September 25, 2005

By 

Skope (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This is a foundational work on the development of "Counterinsurgency Warfare," and relevant to Iraq, Afghanistan and other hotspots. Galula articulated clearly the how "Revolutionary Warfare" is asymmetric between belligerents, contrary to the balanced warfare between conventional field armies. He is masterful at describing the insurgent dynamics, and gives great insights for conducting Counterinsurgency Operations. The work primarily focuses on anti-colonial revolutions and Marxist-communist insurgencies, but falls short in addressing the fundamentalist religious based insurgency/terrorism, which was very much ongoing (Algeria) during his contemporary times. Very clear and illuminating, and a must for the student of low-intensity conflicts.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 40 Years Old and Still the Best, February 14, 2006

By 

jehsale "jehsale" (St. Pete, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice (Science 101 (Collins)) (Paperback)

First published in 1964, this is still the best book on the subject. Not as well known as it's more famous companion: "Defeating Communist Insurgency" by Thompson, it addresses the same isues, but is much more applicable to today's conflict. If you are too busy to read it, then go right to page 51, and see how Galula learned to deal with prisoners from his time spent as a prisoner of Mao's forces in China. If some one at the Pentagon had read this, the world would never have heard of Abu Garaib. In a page and a half, Galula told us how to win the war, or, at least not to lose it. Not as "harshly to the point" as McCuen's "The Art of Counter-Revolutionary War", it is the right book at the right time. Agree with previous reviewer, try to get your hands on the Hailer Publishing softcover version as it fits right in the cargo pocket.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on the Subject...Ever, November 27, 2005

By 

Sam Damon (Ft Walton Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice (Science 101 (Collins)) (Paperback)

David Galula's 1964 classic is timeless. He offers a soldier's perspective on counterinsurgency, at the operational level of war. This is the only book I have found that ties together the all the strategy and policy works that proliferate from academics and politicians with the tactical manuals that show soldiers how to deal with the very difficult and confusing environment of counterinsurgency. If current serving soldiers only have one book in their rucksacks, this should be that book. It is better than any doctrinal manual or think piece currently available. Find the paperback version from Hailer Press if you can...that way you don't mind it getting dog-eared from constant use, stained from coffee spilled on it late at night, and lost when someone else sees good a resource you have brought to the fight.