In Pursuit of Military Excellence: The Evolution of Operational Theory (Cummings Center Series) [Hardcover]

Shimon Naveh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0714647276 | ISBN-13: 978-0714647272 | Edition: Reprinted edition

This book offers a scientific interpretation of the field of military knowledge situated between strategy and tactics, better known as operational art', and traces the evolution of operational awareness and its culmination in a full-fledged theory. The author, a Brigadier General (ret.) in the Israeli Defence Forces and Doctor of History, King's College, London, clarifies the substance of operational art' and constructs a cognitive framework for its critical analysis. He chronicles the stages in the evolution of operational theory from the emergence of 19th-century military thought to Blitzkrieg. For the first time the Soviet theories of Deep Operations' and Strike Manoeuvre' that emerged in the 1920s and 1930 are discussed. The author argues that it is these doctrines that eventually led to the crystallization of the American Airland Battle theory, successfully implemented in the Gulf War.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; Reprinted edition edition (March 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714647276
• ISBN-13: 978-0714647272
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,462,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Operational Art," from its Soviet roots and until today., December 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In Pursuit of Military Excellence: The Evolution of Operational Theory (Cummings Center Series) (Hardcover)

This book is an academic but readable work which analyses of the development of what is known as "operational art," or in other words, the intermediate field of theory, which connects strategy with tactics. This is a relatively new and unfamiliar cognitive field in the Western world, and has only been begun to be understood since the late 1970's. Naveh combines complex theory within a historical context, beginning with the doctrines of von Clausewitz, continuing through the debacles of World War One and to the first Revolution in Military Affairs which took place in the Soviet Red Army of the 1920's. The latter half of the book concludes with the development of operational thought in the US Army which began in 1976. This followed the realization in the US military that their tactical doctrines provided no answer to the threats east of the iron curtain. This process of thought culminated with the Gulf War, which saw the successful implementation of the theory, independently developed to that of the Red Army, but remarkably similair. This book is unique, not in that it analyses operational theory, but in that it outlines the pioneering processes that took place in the Soviet Union during the 1920's and 30's. This information has remained hidden and unknown to the West until only very recently, and has been revealed here by the author who has researched the field intensively.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars JH, April 25, 2008

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JH "JH" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: In Pursuit of Military Excellence: The Evolution of Operational Theory (Cummings Center Series) (Paperback)

This is an interesting, well-researched book in a field of study lacking accessible studies. However, the material in this book is not accessible without a high level of knowledge regarding the history and theories of operational level warfare (OLW). Even with a working knowledge of OLW, the reading was slow and difficult due to the prevalence of academic jargon and assumptions introduced without explanation of their origins. I found the historical aspects interesting and helpful, but again, there seemed to be an assumption that the backgrounds of many of the theorists and practioners of OLW were already known. I do not recommend this book for beginners.