Customer Reviews

How to Make War 3rd Edition

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The book is an uncharacteristically detailed account of modern warfare that does not underestimate the intelligence of the reader. The main strength of the book is that it emphasizes the importance of logistics and maintenance as well as intelligence in the modern war. It also emphasizes the effectiveness of training and battle experience which may be missed by some other authors. However having been written immidiately after the gulf war it makes a few major mistakes. One is the way the author dismisses the military might of China, India and Russia as posing little threat to the West. This is dangerous in that it breeds a sense of overt comfort in the layperson who then is convinced that military spending is superfluous. The other mistake is that it assumes that with the demise of the USSR, no credible adversary can be found for the US. We should be under no illusion that economics is the reason for the US military supremacy and as China fulfills its destiny of becoming the largest economy in the world, it will grow in military stature as well. The other point is that US is vulnerable to any form of casualty so that it will loose the war of public opinion in any credible war. And lastly US's military is and has been vulnerable to unconventional and gurilla warfare.

However I must admit my major gripe with this excellent book is that it assumes that only Russia and the US have armies. Most of the wars around the world will not be fought by these major power. (Note I guess if I was an American instead of an Australian then this would not be an issue.)

Background

1. 'How To Make War' is as the title suggests is aimed to be `a comprehensive guide to modern warfare for the post cold war era'. This, the third in the series of 'How To Make War' books written by the author James Dunnigan is a comprehensively revised edition published in 1995. The author has gone on to gain much acclaim through his later titles including the well-known `How Not to Make War'.

2. After the end of the Cold War, the world has seen major upheavals in the politico-military arena. The emergence of the United States as the only superpower and recent events such as the Gulf War in 1991, have changed the threat perceptions of most countries and as a consequence military policies. This has invariably lead to a rethink in warfare methods and techniques, in addition to the continued advancement in terms of warfare technology. Dunnigan has written this revised edition of 'How To Make War' with special emphasis to the above changes in the post Cold War scenario.

The Book

3. The author begins by acquainting the reader with the universal `principles of war'. The book is structured into four major sections, the first three being the obvious air, land and sea theatres. More importantly however, is Dunnigan's emphasis on the human factor involved in war, which has a section by itself devoted to it in Part Four of the book. In addition there are four other sections dealing with special weapons, numerical warfare, and transportation logistics. The final section is a summary and statistics of the weapons and armed forces of the time. The sections are interspersed with as many as 48 different charts and tables displaying a vast array of data, which help the reader in assimilating the text. The sections on Ground Combat, Air Operations and Naval Operations introduce and discuss the composition, roles, conditions, developments and future trends of their respective components. This helps the reader to understand and comprehend the facts presented subsequently.

4. In the part dealing with ground combat, the author has brought out the changing role of the infantry with the advance in technology. At the same time he clearly brings out it's indispensability with respect to occupation of enemy territory, which continues to be the final determinant of victory. Dunnigan also charts out the material developments in ground battle methods, by providing details of the armory of the major players of today. The tremendous development in artillery weapons is well documented and interesting, while the factual account of the same is fairly precise and informative. This section also has a chapter devoted to the increasing role of the paramilitary forces and reserves.

5. In the section on Air Operations, the author tries to substantiate his theory that the air force is primarily an information gathering service whose warfare role evolved to destroy the enemy air forces. He does dwell on it's emerging importance in softening of enemy targets for the infantry, while contending that this role is being taken up by air support divisions of the latter. He also elaborates at length on the air force's "simple missions" but complex "means". A separate discussion on Air Defence in the following chapter contains a wealth of information and statistics.

6. In the section dealing with the Navy, the author stresses the importance of control of commercial shipping lanes through naval might. The importance of technology upgrades for the US despite the indisputable superiority of its forces is dealt with at length. Submarine warfare and naval air operations are also discussed separately in different chapters.

7. The author has laid great emphasis on the human factors of war. He has dealt elaborately on the psychological, professional, motivational and leadership aspects of this major constituent of warfare. One cannot dispute his contention that "when it comes to fighting, warfare is not waged by numbers, but through the courage, determination, skill, and leadership of individuals. As a part of this section the author has included a brief discussion of the peacetime role and pressures on the armed forces.

8. The discussion on special weapons includes interesting details on electronic warfare and the opening up of space as the new dimension in warfare. The dangers of biological and chemical weapons and the tendency of Third World countries giving in to this low cost option is clearly brought out. The author also raises relevant questions about the viability of Nuclear Weapons and their relation to the conventional options. Dunnigan also raises important issues of economics and the logistics of war. The reader is given a concise picture of the quantum of mobilisaton of supplies and the related costs.

Comments

9. The book as a whole provides a fairly comprehensive picture of the world's weapons and armed forces. It also attempts to give an insight into the tactics employed. The information provided is interesting and educative without going into specifications of armaments and weapon systems. The author's credibility is enhanced by the fact that warfare developments and results of wars, have conformed to his predictions in earlier books. This book should not however be in any way mistaken for a book of reference akin to Jane's. It is more of an educative tool in the hands of a young officer who wishes to improve his understanding and comprehension of the various aspects of warfare.

10. At the same time the reader may be cautioned that the author's viewpoint is primarily based on information and intelligence derived from a majority of US sources. Some of the theories enunciated and assessments are based totally on US perceptions. Additionally the concepts enunciated in 1995, may require some revision in the fast changing world scenario. The length of the book and its text format (622 pages of fine print) does tend deter the prospective reader. However, the book provides the discerning reader (the service officer and the layman alike), an opportunity to expand his horizons, by enabling a fairly in depth insight into all the important aspects of warfare while increasing his knowledge on weapons and systems. 'How To Make War,' undoubtedly needs to be included in any Naval officers `should read' list.

Very thorough. Excellent knowledge of the arms and methods of modern warfare as used around the time of the Gulf War and Cold War. Graphs and charts comparing Western and Russian /Third World armies and arms. Discussion of everything from strategies to morale and the intangibles of modern war. Gives insight into warfare and you understand why anyone who's been there doesn't want to go there again. Yet it gives the necessities and analysis of war. It's got alot of information, which the average reader may find more information than they need or want to know. Yet the readability is good. An excellent book.

I have read all three editions of this book (and several of Dunnigans other books on contemporary military matters) and wish to say that "How to Make War" is the best overall guide to not just war, but to military affairs ever written. His style is highly readable, and he knows all aspects of his subject very well (would that more policy makers and military people would pick it up). In an area of inquiry that is both so important and so widely misunderstood, it is a real benefit to those in government, industry, academia, and the military who wish to really understand military matters. I have read all editions more than once and find myself using the book frequently for reference in my work.

Excellent review of how military operations occur. I differ with the other reader below that says that the author assumes only two armies, the US and the USSR. He proposes that two different models exist. In the US/Western model the units are more equiped with the talents required to be self reliant. In the Soviet model the field units use the services of experts in other units because of lack of human resources with the needed skills. This got me thinking about the way we organize our businesses and how one model has proven more effective in the battlefield.

wow. I'm no expert in warfare, but I really enjoy wargames. This book details all kinds of operational, tactical and strategic dynamics which enter into the battlefield. What a great read! Dunnigan knows his stuff (and I don't work for him or am related to him). GET THIS BOOK!!!!! you will not be disapointed!!!!

When I served as an Army Officer (Combat Arms,) I always kept a copy of How to Make War at hand whether leading my Platoon and later Battery, or conducting staff operations. My old copy has notes written throughout and a hundred tabs taped to the side. Many people from Brigade Commanders to privates flipped through and read the book and used the information, and my book wound up on even more exercises and deployments than I did as others borrowed it. Although I've been out of the military for quite some time, I purchased the updated version to help with my writing and discussions.

Many of us have seen the reports of military operations on CNN and we get a healthy dose of military oriented documentaries on some cable channels but for most of us the world of the military is an unknown realm. Even books that suppose to tell us the who, what, where, when, why, and most important how of military operations are often written using incomprehensible terminology. The fine work produced by this author clearly explains these terminologies and many of the inner workings of the military but does so without talking down to the reader. The traditional venues of combat air, land, and sea are discussed in detail but the book also includes specialized areas such as electronic warfare and space based activities. This book is a must for any aspiring arcmchair General or Admiral.

James Dunnigan's "How to Make War" is an excellent reference book on today and tomorrow's warfare. It's 600+ pages are packed with information on organization, leadership, weapons and equipment, and various country's tactics among other topics. The book is divided into eight parts which are: Part One: Ground Combat, Part Two: Air Operations, Part Three: Naval Operations, Part Four: Human Factors, Part Five: Special Weapons, Part Six: Warfare by the Numbers, Part Seven: Moving the Goods, and Part Eight: Tools of the Trade. An essential book for anyone who has anything to do with military affairs.

This book seems to be very complete and the author highly qualified in war technology, strategy, logistics... For that one is easily convinced by almost all his affirmations but one: it's about the tanks: he says them are impressive war machines, but you must don't trust very much on his power: these steel monsters have demonstrated to be very vulnerable and his use are best when infantry have destroyed the main opposition, against residual resistence ¿¿??. Dunnigan trusts much more in war aircraft. I confess these paragraphs are astonishing for me after the Panzer campaigns, and today, in Middle East. As it were one must expect that also there this book must be read and serve for the ceasefire for once.