Lessons for Contemporary Counterinsurgencies: The Rhodesian Experience/R-3998-A (Rand Report) [Paperback]

Bruce Hoffman (Author), Jennifer M. Taw (Author), David Arnold (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 95 pages
• Publisher: Rand Corp (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833011235
• ISBN-13: 978-0833011237
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,618,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A concise introduction to the war in Rhodesia., October 10, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons for Contemporary Counterinsurgencies: The Rhodesian Experience/R-3998-A (Rand Report) (Paperback)

Although brief, Hoffman describes the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Rhodesians in combating the counterinsurgencies. Although the Rhodesians lost the political war they did a superb job in containing the insurgency. Rhodesia--crippled by the lack of white men--was able to introduce innovative techniques to counter the insurgencies. These innovative techniques are what Hoffman highlights and recommends that Armies intreseted in low intensity conflicts (LIC) adopt. Rhodesia was able to beat the insurgency by denying it two prerequisites of guerilla warfare--freedom of mobility and a freindly population. The Rhodesians, through their Special Air Service--modeled afer the British model--and the Rhodesian Light Infantry, organized small units that could conduct quick lightning strikes. Hoffman points out how public relations and Selous Scotts, a special eight man unit made up of former "turned" rebels, the Rhodesians were able to track down insurgents. Of special note in Hoffman's study, is the appendicies, which offer an insight into mine countermeseasures adopted by the Rhodesians, and a chornology of special operations conducted thourout the war. The mine segment is particularly helpful for African nations dealing with the pleathora of mines left over after various wars.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb should be on the bookshelf of anyone involved in COIN, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lessons for Contemporary Counterinsurgencies: The Rhodesian Experience/R-3998-A (Rand Report) (Paperback)

This is a textbook for how to fight insurgents, full of practical information, it discusses how a tiny army of an embargoed and isolated country effectively defeated a long lasting marxist insurgent movement through innovation and adaptable tactics.

While the book (actually more of a booklet) is a low budget presnetation ( a couple of drawings, a few maps) the value of the information presented is well worth the price. Its simply one of the best sources of information on the market about this topic and will prove invaluable to anyone researching COIN or LIC.