The Lessons Of Modern War, Volume Iv: The Gulf War [Paperback]

Anthony H Cordesman (Author), Abraham Wagner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0813386020 | ISBN-13: 978-0813386027

The fog of war is inevitably followed by the “fog of analysis.” This has certainly been true of the most important military conflict of the post–Cold War era, the Gulf War between Iraq and the allied coalition led by the United States. A variety of studies of this conflict have appeared, many within just months of the end of hostilities and many with the obvious weaknesses resulting from the rush to publish. Now in this fourth volume of the acclaimed Lessons of Modern War series, military analyst Anthony H. Cordesman, with defense consultant Abraham R. Wagner, has produced what must be considered the definitive study of the Gulf War.Anthony Cordesman draws careful conclusions based on extensive research from a wide variety of sources, including newly declassified documents; official military reports; informal review and commentary by U.S. military services and British, French, Egyptian, and Saudi officers; interviews; and field research in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and southern Iraq as well as Cordesman’s own firsthand observations of the unfolding battle for Kuwait in his capacity as military analyst for ABC News and a year of research on the war as fellow at the Wilson Center. Abraham Wagner contributes his unique experience in intelligence and command-and-control issues.The book examines in unprecedented detail the efforts of all the members of the coalition, not just the United States. The authors are careful to distinguish between the general lessons about warfare that can be drawn from the Gulf War and those that are unique to this conflict. Throughout the book, the authors offer enough data to enable the reader to consider alternatives to Cordesman and Wagner’s own highly authoritative conclusions.The many lessons presented in this book cover the whole range of political, strategic, tactical, technical, and human elements of this conflict. The authors’ analysis is based on the dynamic interaction of all of these factors, not just static bean-counting. The central lesson is that this highly complex web of human and technological developments has resulted in a new “military revolution” of profound significance for the history of modern war. Lessons of Modern War, Volume IV: The Gulf War explodes many myths, offers sometimes controversial conclusions, and is essential reading for anyone concerned about the “revolution in military affairs’’; peacekeeping; Gulf and energy security issues; and the new, but still dangerous, world in which we live.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anthony H. Cordesman is currently a senior fellow and codirector of the Middle East Program, and director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, a military analyst for ABC News and adjunct professor of national security studies at Georgetown University. He has served in senior positions in the office of the secretary of defense, NATO, and the U.S. Senate. Abraham R. Wagner is an independent defense consultant in the area of national security problems working with Science Applications International, Inc., as well as several federal agencies. He has written extensively on Third World military technologies and appeared on ABC News, the BBC, National Public Radio, and CBN to provide expert analysis of the Persian Gulf War. Anthony H. Cordesman is currently a senior fellow and codirector of the Middle East Program, and director of the Middle East Program at CSIS, a military analyst for ABC News and adjunct professor of national security studies at Georgetown University. He has served in senior positions in the office of the secretary of defense, NATO, and the U.S. Senate. Abraham R. Wagner is an independent defense consultant in the area of national security problems working with Science Applications International, Inc., as well as several federal agencies. He has written extensively on Third World military technologies and appeared on ABC News, the BBC, National Public Radio, and CBN to provide expert analysis of the Persian Gulf War.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1040 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (June 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813386020
• ISBN-13: 978-0813386027
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,856,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gulf war reviewed, August 15, 2001

By 

Dan Robertson (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lessons of Modern War: The Gulf War Volume IV (Lessons of Modern War) (Hardcover)

This book is the last of a series of 4 books chronicling modern conflict.

Vol 1. The Arab Israeli Conflicts 1973-1989.

Vol 2. The Iran-Iraq war.

Vol 3. The Falklands and Afghanistan.

Vol 4. The Gulf war.

These books provide an in depth analysis of the various forces engaged in the conflicts and the losses sustained by both sides. The authors have studied the weapons systems employed and the tactics used, and from these have drawn their conclusions on what was the route cause of success or failure in these modern military conflicts.

The authors conclusions are hardly mind shattering but they are sensible. Based on what happened and without an agenda.

Aside from errors concerning the Blowpipe missile (which manages to make an appearance in nearly all the wars) and its vulnerability to flares, (it isn't vulnerable at all) and the failure of this type of missile against crossing targets. (The operator's not the system itself) The books are quite accurate and thoroughly researched.

These series of books are a valuable tool for any student of modern conflict.