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The Past as Prologue: The Importance of History to the Military Profession Paperback – May 8, 2006

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Williamson Murray (Editor), Richard Hart Sinnreich (Editor)
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 298 pages
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (May 8, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0521619637
  • ISBN-13: 978-0521619639
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,238,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 starsGood food for thought
By R. W. Levesque on June 13, 2006
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The editors of this book have put together an outstanding series of essays derived from a conference at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and later presented at the Marine Corps University, Quantico. The book's theme is stated in the subtitle; "The Importance of History to the Military Profession;" its view point is that the study of military history is critical for the military. There are two introductory chapters. The first, by Editor Williamson Murray, argues that only by studying military history can a soldier begin to understand war. Not that there aren't pitfalls and, "for history to be of any use, its very complexities demand skeptical inquiry rather than reliance on a smattering of inevitably oversimplified historical anecdotes." The second chapter, by eminent military historian Sir Michael Howard, argues that only military history can provide contextual understanding for many more conventional historians in explaining many issues, such as the impact of World War's I and II on society.

The rest of the book is divided into two sections; the first focuses on the relationship of military history to the military profession, and the second looks at historical cases that illustrate recurring military problems. The essays rely on academics and on military officers both of whom provide insight into history's role in understanding war. The authors include many familiar names such as LTG (R) Paul Van Riper, USMC, MG (R) Jonathan Bailey, British Army, John Gooch, Colin S. Gray, and the two editors themselves.

If you believe military history allows a better understanding of war, or if you just enjoy military history, this book will give you insight into the positive aspects of the field and its pitfalls - and there are many. At the same time, if you tend to believe today's problems are unique, read the book so that you can find the true path.
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4.0 out of 5 starsA brilliant intellectual defense of the study of military history
By Amazon Customer VINE VOICE on August 30, 2006
Format: Paperback
American strategic thought is cyclic. Ever since the end of the Civil War the study of military history has fallen in and out of style, even within U.S. Military War Colleges and Command and Staff Colleges. During the 1960s, the organizational and business accounting theories of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and his "whiz kid" advisors stated that war could be reduced to number crunching and statistical analysis. As a result military history suffered. By the 1980s, military history was reborn with the wide acceptance of the writing of Carl von Clausewitz. The application of his theories played a major part in the complete rebuilding of American military operational art and the success of Operation Desert Storm. By the mid-1990s, the tide began to shift. "New" theorists began to opine on the wonders of "network-centric" warfare and "effects-based operations". Once again the study of history was replaced by computer networks and mathematical formulas.

"The Past as Prologue" is a brilliant defense of the need for military officers and policymakers to continue to vigorous and constant study of military history and resist attempts to reduce warfare to scientific analysis. The book is a collection of essays from some of the top military theorists and historians of our time. The famous historian Michael Howard's essay on the role of military history in warfare is worth the price of the book alone. LtGen Paul Van Riper's essay demonstrates that military history is not for other academics, but was a critical element in his success as a battlefield commander. His respect for the topic lead him to be a major force in the rebirth of professional military education within the United States Marine Corps.Read more ›
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4.0 out of 5 starsAn Excellent Defense of The Value of Studying Military History For Military Professionals
By Nathan Albright on October 2, 2008
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This book is an intriguing collection of essays from American and British civilian and military thinkers on the importance of history to the military profession. Included among this book's essays are thoughtful examinations of the relationship between military history and the history of war, British and American Marine views on he relevance of history to serving military professionals, the sometimes awkward relationship between history and the military education, the role of Thucydides as an educator, a subtle and excellent examination of Clausewitz's views on history and the future strategic world, as well s some intriguing case studies on the Victorian Royal Navy, the Russo-Japanese War, the British army's readiness between WWI and WWII, and terrorism. The closing essay of the book, a frightening examination of the gaps between history and the future of civil-military relations, gives plenty of food for thought in this well-thought out and relevant work.
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4.0 out of 5 starsThoughtful, informative essays on value of military history
By E. Jaksetic on March 31, 2014
Format: Paperback
Written by a variety of scholars and current and former military officers, this collection of essays discusses the importance of studying military history to: (1) learn valuable lessons about past military successes and failures; (2) better understand some of the recurring problems in warfare throughout the ages; and (3) gain a historical perspective to better address present and future military developments. The essays strongly encourage military professionals to study history, and discuss various ways that the study of military history can help military professionals do their jobs and fulfill their professional obligations better. Given the long-standing tradition of civilian control of the military in the United States, these essays could also be helpful to elected officials and government officials and employees with any responsibility for civilian control or oversight of the military.

The essays are scholarly and technical in nature, and are written in a style intended for readers who are historians, military professionals, or serious students of military and political history. Readers with a casual or passing interest in military history probably would find this book too scholarly and technical.
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