The Direction of War: Contemporary Strategy in Historical Perspective

While not perfect, certainly one of the best works on strategy I've read recently and possibly the best work on post-1945 strategic history I've read in a while. Two main flaws or issues of contention: Strachan's critique of civil-military relations is at times lucid, but at other times appears to come slightly off the rails. Second, the books origin as a (much altered and added too) collection of articles shows through in the many areas which it doubles back on itself covering ground previously well trodden, at times this is done to build on previously mentioned ideas, at other times it seems overly repetitive. On the whole it is an excellent assessment and critique of the recent history of Strategic Studies as a field, as a historian I find many of his disciplinary critiques of the history/IR balance quite convincing, but I suppose I'm biased.

I think we need to get to know who our new leaders are going to be. This is one of the books on "Mad Dog"'s reading list. So far it has been very compelling and interesting. Having lived during the Colin Powell years and Bush years as a young impressionable youth to now see what was really going on and the thought behind it.

This is a very very useful work for members of the contemporary national security strategy community. While Hew's reputation as a historian is very high, it is his thoughtful and insightful comments that he makes in the latter chapters that lay out some of the critical challenges facing contemporary military and civilian leaders.

This is a must have book. It is, beyond a doubt, the best book I have read on military strategy. The author is clear, provides case examples, and more importantly makes this "readable."I retired with 24 years on active duty and spent 15 more working in PMC's working in austere and conflict environments. THIS book is long overdue.

Can't say I agree with the author's analysis, but it is interesting to read something that is not laced with political correctness. This seems an honest assessment of how things are. I recommend it.

Hew Stratchan has used a clear and lucid narrative style to throw light upon the otherwise drab subject of strategy, drawing upon his talent as an historian, contemporising it in the current global environment, and has presented a practical guide to understanding strategic theory and putting it in practice.

Thoughtful, balanced, nuanced and sophisticated, this book raises important methodological questions about strategy, history and policy. Though about military strategy, I highly recommend it to anyone who aspires to make strategy in any sphere, and to anyone who wants to understand war and conflict .

I know Hew's work and respect him for it. All the more pity therefore, that the book being reviewed is not a success. Originally a collection of separate articles, it deals with the fine distinctions between policy, grand strategy, stragegy, and operational art as well as the ways these different concepts were applied in, and to, a number of recent wars.Reading along, one question kept coming up in my mind: does it matter? Concluding that it does not, I did not finish the book.

A very perceptive, interesting and informative study by a very knowledgeable author, this book is worth reading for those interested in this topic, with (in my case) some sections to be re-read for clarity of understanding.However, my impression was some of the content appeared laboured and overworked, although compensated for by especially the chapters towards the end of the book.

very good

Series of lectures on the subject. Interesting variety.

I am still immersed in this work, but it is not one that can be hurried. I suspect that I will only get to a fuller understanding of his thrust after a second or third reading.The semantics of language and their relevance to the ongoing direction of war in the 21st century as employed by the major powers is a theme that cuts through the book like writing through a stick of rock. Strachan looks at the ongoing relevance of Clausewitz, and at how the term strategy has been used and misused, leading to problems in the ongoing conflicts that have plagued our century. An argument is posited that politicians have muddied the waters somewhat, with the military colluding in this by failing to adequately defend their corner. To make successful war, there has to be a clear strategy in place - something that Germans never had in place in the second world war, and something that the Americans are currently struggling with (the "War on terror", aka "the long war"). Strachan argues that short wars tend to be successful, while protracted conflicts favour the defenders.So, you are pondering whether to buy this book. It is weighty and thought provoking, based around a series of lectures delivered by Strachan. The weightiness is also physical - it is pleasingly printed on good quality heavy paper, and equally pleasingly I have yet to spot a typo! It is a book with key observations onto the modern world, and as such inevitably feeds into current events. As somebody deeply interested in history I would heartily endorse this book. It is undoubtedly an impressive piece of work on an important area of human activity. It makes you think, and that in itself is a good thing.So why the 4 star review, and not the full five? Maybe I am marking it unduly harshly, but it is perhaps overly dense, requiring frequent re-reading of passages before moving on. It does feel an important, even seminal work for all that, and the ideas probably deserve a wider readership than it will probably reach. I for one am glad that I have bought it.

An outstanding read for national leadership, strategic and security professionals. A detailed historical study leading upto a very relevant analysis of civil military relations for the modern day.