Customer Reviews

Fighting by Minutes: Time and the Art of War

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Probably Leonhard's finest and most intriguing work to date, this book follows in the footsteps of the superb Art of Maneuver. A must for any professional military leader. If the $59 price (Amazon isn't discounting this one) puts you off, save $15 and buy it for $44 from Barnes and Noble. Don't let the price keep you from buying, reading, and re-reading this book! Leonhard is one of the most visionary military theorists for the 21st century and this is his most impressive work thus far.

As an update to this review I wrote about a year ago, the book has now doubled in price, from a high $44-59 now to well over $100 (I've seen used copies in Fair condition going for $150). This is tragic since the skyrocketing prices will keep many from reading it simply to make a dealers more money. The original publisher probably sold out all remaining copies which are now being "scalped" like rare tickets. I hope Leonhard will sell the rights to another publisher who can print new copies and sell for a reasonable and accessible price so more can read this great work.

FIGHTING BY MINUTES: Time and the Art of War ( LTC Robert Leonhard, (Praeger Publishers, 179 pages.) First the bad news...this book cost $55. This is unfortunate, it means that there will be a lot of money flowing out of professionals pockets at a high rate because this is THE premiere theoretical work of the past 40 years, and is destined to become a classic of this century. The author, LTC Robert Leonhard, is the US Army's most prolific and outspoken theoretician. His first book, _The Art of Maneuver_ established his reputation as an original thinker. It did, however, begin by following in some rather well established footprints. This book introduces not only an entirely new perspective about how we should think about war ~ it also provides us with the conceptual tools we will need to do this. The premise is deceptively simple: "The most effective way to perceive, interpret and plan military operations is in terms of time, rather than space." This, in and of itself ,is not a difficult concept for the average professional to grasp. Yet it is in his rigorous analysis of the implications of how a shift from a spatial to a temporal outlook might affect the conduct of war that LTC Leonhard truly breaks new ground. Introducing concepts such as "Leveraging Temporal Asymmetry" and using terms borrowed from physics (e.g. Operations within war have a "Frequency" and an "Amplitude") this is not an easy or light read. With almost every page the reader finds himself setting the book down, digesting what he has read, deciding weather he agrees or disagrees and actually THINKING about the finer nuances of our profession. This alone justifies the cost of the book. Despite his newly coined terminology, or perhaps because he uses "borrowed" concepts from other disciplines, LTC Leonhard's book allows the reader to open his mind to the potential new methods of executing war which he proposes. In the past LTC Leonhard has been accused of using history out of context as a justification for his theories. Yet in this book (which is NOT a history) his use of historical examples in support of his thesis rings true and helps greatly in his explanation of a new method of understanding warfare. Fighting By Minutes is expensive, no doubt about that. But it is important. To read this book is to think HARD about our profession. Casual soldiers and leaders should leave this on the shelf, professional warriors should go out and buy a copy today. Read it. Argue about it. Make notes in the margins. This book is destined to become a classic. Book review submitted by Captain Robert L. Bateman.

Robert Leonard's masterful work, "Fighting by Minutes," takes the age-old problem of time and summarizes it into one of the most succinct and compact manuals available to date. Immensely readable and to the point, Leonard's comments go directly to the heart of the most crucial element in military command: mastering time. History is replete with examples of generals, captains and sergeants wasting that most precious commodity which one cannot buy back. Leonard tackles the issue head on, and is not afraid to ruffle some feathers among the Army brass. His discussion of frequency in warfare gives one pause to re-examine their own knowledge of military (and indeed political/diplomatic history) in light of the notions of low frequency and even very low frequency conflict. For those students of military history, a whole new vista of understanding comes to light regarding the strategic maneuvers and plans of generals past, and gives insight as to what to expect for the future. The price will initially make one flinch, especially once you receive it in the mail! (it is not very thick). However, it is well worth every penny. Absolutely must reading.... R.G. Rodgers, History teacher and former USArmy veteran.

Fighitng by Minutes is a must-read for every serious student of the military art. Bob Leonhard's excellent description of war and combat's relation to time provides the best theoretical discussion of war in print. Fighting by Minutes should be a required text at all US military academies and staff schools.

Fighting by Minutes is the book that will have the greatest impact on army officers going into the next century. Robert Loenhard's works will no doubt be part of the instruction at the Command and General Staff College.

This is a tough call. I really like Leonhard's work and this is a work that I agree every professional should read. But the price is just outrageous! I've paid less for first editions of rare volumes by J.F.C.Fuller! If you want to save the money get this one through interlibrary loan. You can read it in about one or two sittings...longer if you are taking notes....But DO NOT buy this book...I believe in making a buck as much as the next guy...but the price on this is unconsciounable.

Good book, but so much [money]? I know a zillion people will say this isn't helpful, but please, consider the price.