Airpower Reborn: The Strategic Concepts of John Warden and John Boyd (History of Military Aviation) Hardcover – April 15, 2015

"Airpower Reborn is well written and logically structured. It brings together a century of airpower theory in one concise reference, providing airpower's historical roots as well as its contemporary theory. Not all readers will agree with certain theoretical aspects, but most will find the discussion intellectually stimulating. Airpower practitioners and anybody involved in strategic planning, from policymakers to warfighters, are likely to consider it a must-read."--Military Review

"…Much of what is discussed in Airpower Reborn is, in my opinion, that which is essential for the defence strategic community--military, civilian, political, academic and media --to understand. Airpower Reborn is an important book which is useful for any military professional's individual development but which should also be beneficial for anyone interested in 21st century military operations. Hopefully Airpower Reborn gains the readership it deserves and the Western military is willing to adapt its mindset with the paradigm shift that is clearly necessary."--Australian Naval Institute

"Airpower Reborn is both an anthology of airpower thought and a call to action. Today, there is a great need for contemporary airpower thought. This book is a commendable attempt to spark discussion about airpower theory and strategy. Also, Olsen's call to action is both timely and relevant, since the words 'Douhet was wrong' still ring from people's mouths. This persistent (and mistaken) belief that modern airpower thought rests solely on century-old airpower prophecy says more about our failure as airpower advocates than it does about airpower critics. It is our job to effectively develop and communicate modern strategic airpower thought to our interested brethren. In this, we seem to have failed. Luckily, Olsen's Airpower Reborn is a great step toward reinvigorating and improving the critically important field of airpower theory."--The Strategy Bridge.com

"The authors of Airpower Reborn cover a lot of ground; keeping up with them can be challenging. At the end of the day though they succeed in their goal of moving the discussion of airpower forward. This is a book strategists from any service should read."--Air Power History

"Extremely well written and argued, this book should be required reading for every staff and war college in the country. These ideas need to be examined and discussed. Our present strategic thinking is moribund; if the ideas presented here are not a suitable answer, perhaps they will at least generate a serious debate as to the fundamental principles and goals."--The Journal of Military History

"For those working in the fields of doctrine development, regardless of the colour of one's uniform, this is a useful study, not only of airpower, but of strategy generally and is recommended." --Canadian Naval Review

"Airpower Reborn is an essential and surprisingly accessible read for all airmen and airwomen and is unashamed at 'doing what it says on the can'. While there will be those who regard the clarion call for a return to air power for strategic effect as being a little too shrill, it is clear that new thinking, doctrinal rebalancing and a cultural shift are all required in the post-Afghanistan, post-campaigning strategic context of 2015 and beyond. Recent operations in Libya and against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq indicate that future interventions in the new era of contingency may well be either confined to air capabilities alone, or at least air-led. What is indisputable - as is clearly and compellingly articulated in this book - is the requirement for air practitioners to engage with the issues at an intellectual level: both to make the case for air capabilities, which is particularly relevant given the impending Strategic Defence and Security Review; and to ensure that air power is used to best effect. The theories of Boyd and Warden are now over 30 years old: this book may not provide entirely new answers - and in a sense, arguably offers 'old wine in new bottles' - but, nevertheless serves a useful and entirely worthwhile purpose by reappraising air power theory in the modern strategic context. It is highly recommended, not least for stimulating the new thinking that will be necessary to promote the air power renaissance that is required if military force is to remain as an effective and useful lever of power."--Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies - CAS's Reading List 2015

"Airpower Reborn is a valuable tool in the effort to bring airpower to the table of strategic thought and rebalance the power dynamic among the proponents of land, air, and sea. It neatly joins a significant number of authors, ideas, and opinions into a single, coherent case for airpower…. [I]t is most assuredly a worthwhile read for anyone seeking an air-centric perspective on contemporary warfare." --Air & Space Power Journal

"This book is a must read for any Air Force officer attending Command and Staff College as it will provide a strong foundation from which to understand, debate, and further develop a working knowledge of airpower theory and strategy. It also has much to offer a broader readership wishing to deepen their understanding of airpower's history and future. Although some readers may not be swayed by the case the book presents, the quality of the chapters will challenge the engaged reader to think deeply about the points that are raised."--The Sir Richard Williams Foundation (Australia)

Colonel John Andreas Olsen is general deputy director in the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and visiting professor at the Swedish National Defence College. Professor Olsen is the author of Strategic Air Power in Desert Storm and John Warden and the Renaissance of American Air Power, and the editor of A History of Air Warfare, Global Air Power, Air Commanders, and European Air Power.