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Great Captains Unveiled

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In this fairly slim volume B.H. Liddell Hart covers the lives of five generals that most people have never heard of, even though these men shaped the course of history. Jenghiz Kahn, Marshal de Saxe, Gutavus Aldolphus, Wallenstein, and General Wolfe have never received the acclaim of Alexander, Caesar, or Washington, yet, the impact they had on their time was equally world-altering as those great captains.

Hart does not go into great depth with any of these commanders, but he gives enough background to understand the times in which they formed their methods. This provides a base from which the reader can see how different these captains were from the mold. With each, Hart describes briefly their campaigns, but the majority of his writing is devoted to showing what each captain added to the art of war. Instead of extracting maxim's that provide and "formula" for winning, Hart indentifies one or two principles that each commander brought to warfare. He then shows how these principles were a departure for their times, and are still viable in the modern era, often referring to WW I.

From a writing standpoint, the book can be slow at times, and difficult to follow. Also, Hart is writing for an audience he assumes has some knowledge of military history, as he often makes references to other wars and battles. This is not a book for a beginner. I suggest reading a general European or military history prior to delving into this fascinating yet complicated book.

This is not a life story of great unknown warriors, nor a recipe book on how to win a war. Instead, Hart illuminates several dark corners of history, and demonstrates that these "forgotten" generals were true masters of war, and and modern student would be wise to learn their lessons well.

Perhaps I was spoiled a bit by reading Liddell Hart's book "Strategy" before I read the "Great Captains Unveiled." "Strategy" is the work of a mature military polemicist and a master stylist. In "Great Captains," Liddell Hart hasn't reached the peak of his skill yet, but it is certainly an enjoyable and informative read nonetheless. In demonstrating the applicability of historical lessons to the modern art of war, Liddell Hart lays the groundwork for his theory of the indirect approach; i.e. never attack your opponent, or do anything in war, along the the line of natural expectation. This theory, so clear and explicit in "Strategy," in buried here. But one can see the kernels of the theory in the author's choices of generals to profile and battles to highlight.

While certainly weak in the use of primary sources and complete perspective, as recognized in the foreword to the most recent edition, "Great Captains" is effective as an essay rather than straight history.

Liddell Hart ranks as a minor military prophet in his own right. Although he was considered one of Britain's leading tank experts during and after the Great War, the British military rejected his thought on the importance of mobility, but the German General Staff followed his work closely. The result was the Blitzkrieg, which destroyed the armies of Poland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Britain in less than a year.

Here, however, in a collection of biographical essays written for popular journal readers, Liddell Hart shows himself as not being above gushing hack writing more typical of a teenager's fan magazine than a military history. As another reviewer has pointed out, "Great Captains Unveiled" jumps about in its biographies. It offers facts which might be interesting in the context of a major biographical work, but which are all but pointless in the brief biographies presented -- acceptable perhaps for a general readership, but unacceptable for those expecting information which explains WHY these particular individuals were chosen to be considered "Great Captains."

The worst biography is probably that of Wolfe, victor at Quebec. What difference does it make if he was delayed on this date or that date because he or someone else was sick? The Battle of Quebec and his tactics were completely unaffected by his health (unlike, for example, General Rommel's psychosomatic illnesses, which seriously affected the course of the North African campaign and led to his disillusionment with Hitler and his own forced suicide, a series of events which unfolded after the publishing of this book, which Rommel might well have read, although he himself throve too late to be included). The gushing tone is most obvious in the actual description of the "Battle" of Quebec, which seems to have boiled down to a sneak attack, one effective volley at close range which caused the French to panic, and a foolish French salley which cost both Wolfe and defender Montcalme their lives. A perceptive reader might well get the impression that death was Wolfe's greatest ally: had he lived he might well have shown himself to be as mediocre as most of his contemporaries -- one lucky volley does not a "Great Captain" make.

The acccount of the Mongol conquest of the Khwarezm Shah's empire, however, is very good indeed. Although the casus belli is often repeated in histories of the Mongol conquests, few histories relate the unfolding of the events which led to the Mongol victory, nor so succinctly explain EXACTLY why this victory was more significant than any other Mongol victory in Central Asia. The other Mongol victories get short shrift, but this book's account of the Central Asian campaign is outstanding.

The life of Wallenstein is covered in far greater detail in Friedrich Shiller's history of the Thirty Years War (available free online through Project Gutenberg and other web sites) than it is in "Great Captains Unveiled," while the life of De Saxe is over-rated and inflated to highlight the importance of his "Reveries." I can't even remember who else was covered in this book, so trivialized are the biographies.

This is one book by Liddell Hart which bears missing. The interested reader should merely note the names of those whose biographies he includes and look up their lives elsewhere, although, as stated, the account of the defeat of the Khwarezm Shah is outstanding.

Hart's "Great Captains Unveiled" is a great read: it is relatively short, not overly long on detail and interesting. The book does not fall into the trap of appeasing armchair generals, meaning that it skips fame in favor of true strategy and leadership. One might expect such a book to focus on Caesar, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Marlborough, Washington or Patton. However, Hart instead examines less appreciated leaders, including Genghis Kahn, Marshal de Saxe, Gustavus Adolphus, Wallenstein, and Wolfe. I personally most enjoyed the chapter on Genghis Khan. Hart ignores the crude characterizations of and misinformation on Khan. For example, there was no "Mongol horde" that simply outnumbered its enemies, nor did the Christian west valiantly repel Khan's armies. Rather, Khan was typically outnumbered and he won due to innovative tactics and excellent operational control. Moreover, his armies retreated from Europe due to internal political issues. Khan was an innovator and a winner, something Hart focuses on. The other biographies are also compelling. Overall, this is a quick enjoyable read for those truly interested in great military leaders.

This book is amazing. I really like this book. Because it explains not only strategical and tactical thoughts but also gives lessons about them. For example, Sabutay always leaded his armies in a security circle. He always believed the importance of the security. If you really investigate the maps in the books and listens to Sir Hart, you can understand that easily. Above all, you can apply these thoughts to your military, business or personal life. Without a doubt, Hart doesn't generalise that. Because he was a fascinating military theorist not a self-help or a business-self book writer. However, If you deeply thinks the book(when you are reading that), you can gain many skills and get in to the minds of genius'.

Lidell Hart was a pioneer in armored warfare and the purpose of this book is to illustrate six great military commanders in history and their contributions to manuver warfare.He starts off by discussing the mongols under Genghis Khan and Sabutai who used the concepts of speed,surprise and mobile firepower in their conquest of a large area of the Eurasian landmass.He illustrates that the mastery of these concepts enabled the mongols to build the largest land empire in history and destroy all kinds of enemies in war.Hart then discusses the French commander Marshal de Saxe who believed in using armor to support troops.He goes on to discuss Gustavus Adolphus whom he labels the father of Modern of warfare.Gustavus was a great tactician and superb administrator.Amongst the innovations that he brought to Europe were conscription,mobile artillery,a T formation and a superb combined arms formation.Gustavus is legendary because he saved the northern German Protestant states from defeat at the hands of the mighty Hapsburg dynasty.Lidell then goes on to discuss one of Gustavus' rivals ,the Czech Wallenstein whom he describes as the supreme poker player in the history of warfare.What is remarkable about Wallenstein is his rise to power.Being Czech,protestant and of minor nobility Wallenstein had almost no chance of becoming such a high ranking official,he succeeded by becoming one.Wallenstein was a master in surprise,manuver and psychological warfare.Whilst inferior to Gustavus in fighting skill and tactics ,he was far better strategist.Hart explains how he understood the value of seapower and how he bought Gustavus to heel simply by cutting across his lines of communications ,threatning his allies in the process and basically starving Gustavus's army.The last of the generals discussed is James wolfe,who defeated the French in Canada by performing an excellent feat of amphibious warfare.

An excellent and critically reflective discussion of several 'Great Captains' frequently ignored. Hart's depth of knowledge is combined with an appreciation of core issues. The material is clearly presented, easy to read and highly relevant.

Wafare philosophy enthusiasts will love Liddell Hart's works. This classic work containing the seeds of blitzkrieg and maneuver warfare theory will resonate especially with those who admire those schools of thought. The first chapter on Jenghiz Khan and Sabutai is alone worth the price of the book. A brilliant piece of military history and theory that still resonates with thinkers today.

This is light reading compared to most of Hart's thicker tomes. Great Captains is very easy to read with a much easier flow than many of his other books. Each essay is an excellent sketch of just Who these captains were, what they did, and what forces made them what they were.

I find this book lacking in details and jump from one event to another thus making it VERY difficult to follow. Anyone wants to buy a partially read book ??! Dull dull dull.