“War no longer exists,” writes General Sir Rupert Smith, powerfully reminding us that the clash of mass national armies—the syste...
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reviews
Aug 04, 2011
Jansen
rated it: 
Excellently written, very readable, and timely too. General Rupert Smith takes the reader the relevant tracks of early modern military history to demonstrate present societies' fixation with the interstate, industrial war model. He also illustrated the parallel development of the war of the people, which has also made itself felt in the same period, and through the wake of the Second World War, the Cold War, and enjoys a stronger currency today. He advocates that force, when used, must be of the
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Mar 18, 2010
FiveBooks
rated it: 
Professor Mary Kaldor of LSE has chosen to discuss Rupert Smith’s The Utility of Force on FiveBooks as one of the top five on her subject - War , saying that:
“… This book is really the transition from Clausewitz and Walzer to today. He explains that the era of industrial war, of Clausewitzian war, is over, that war is not fought by soldiers against other soldiers any more...There is no distinction any more between combatant and non-combatant – war is amongst the people, against the pe More...
“… This book is really the transition from Clausewitz and Walzer to today. He explains that the era of industrial war, of Clausewitzian war, is over, that war is not fought by soldiers against other soldiers any more...There is no distinction any more between combatant and non-combatant – war is amongst the people, against the pe More...
Oct 10, 2011
Gill
rated it:
This is a very clear analysis of the low intensity conflicts that we tend to get involved in now. It also traces very well the history of the older paradigm of nation-state, military industrial complex driven total war which still dominates our thinking even though it is very unlikely to recur.
Coincidentally just after reading this I took a short lecture course at SMU on the topic of Modern Total War and the professor, who had developed his ideas over a lifetime starting with a PhD on More...
Coincidentally just after reading this I took a short lecture course at SMU on the topic of Modern Total War and the professor, who had developed his ideas over a lifetime starting with a PhD on More...
Nov 19, 2008
William
rated it: 
Rupert Smith's "The Utility of Force" is part of a growing number of books that looks at the practice of peacekeeping and counter-insurgency, topics that seem to get more newspaper coverage than book-length treatments.
Smith, who had previous experience commanding the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, ponders about why conventional forces are pretty useless in counter-insurgency and peacekeeping missions, and examines what change of thinking is needed in the employment of for More...
Smith, who had previous experience commanding the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, ponders about why conventional forces are pretty useless in counter-insurgency and peacekeeping missions, and examines what change of thinking is needed in the employment of for More...
Aug 03, 2008
James
rated it:
One of the most far-sighted and at the same time down-to-earth studies of modern warfare I've ever read; General Smith is brilliant, and I would like to have served with him (wrong country's military, though, as he's British.)
If it is possible to take a stance on war that is simultaneously humane and ruthless, utterly pragmatic and deeply moral, this book illuminates that philosophy.
The author traces the evolution of how people have thought about and fought wars from the More...
If it is possible to take a stance on war that is simultaneously humane and ruthless, utterly pragmatic and deeply moral, this book illuminates that philosophy.
The author traces the evolution of how people have thought about and fought wars from the More...
Oct 20, 2007
Louis
rated it:
General Rupert Smith (UK, Ret.) wrote this after reflection on 40 years of service, including UN duty in the Balkans. The theme of the book is that the nature of conflict has changed, and those who think about the use of national power (diplomatic, information, military, economic). Smith identifies 6 major trends:
- The ends for which we fight are changing
- We fight amongst the people
- Our conflicts tend to be timeless
- We fight so as not to lose the force
- On More...
- The ends for which we fight are changing
- We fight amongst the people
- Our conflicts tend to be timeless
- We fight so as not to lose the force
- On More...
Mar 01, 2010
Gerard
rated it:
Interesting piece. Claims that military forces are built, equipped and trained to fight conventional set pieces of past conventional wars and are not suited to the typical interventions in which they are used today, generally to secure rule of law under which other generally political objectives can be achieved. Good background material for thinking about foreign interventions whether unilateral or UN backed.
Oct 16, 2009
Gerald
rated it:
I use this book as the basis for a couple of introductory lectures in my Media & Terrorism course. He does a great job of describing the history of "interstate industrial war" and contrasts that with "war amongst the people" -- the kind of insurgent wars that we fight today -- and the only kind the U.S. has ever lost. And we've lost several of them.
Feb 21, 2011
A book based on a very long military experience, the war has changed and challenges the operational art as it applies within the populations.
A very efficient way to think about the conflicts today.
I've read this book in French and consider it as a reference.
A very efficient way to think about the conflicts today.
I've read this book in French and consider it as a reference.
Jul 29, 2011
Great concise history of the evolution and history of Western warfare. (Also good for helping secondary ed. history teachers frame themes for unit planning...)
Jan 14, 2010
Robert
rated it:
Another must read for anyone in the military and/or strategist. I would highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in history.
Jul 29, 2011
Kirk
rated it:
Interesting look at the change of strategy in the military world. Gives a new perspective on our current engagements.
Jan 31, 2011
Was told that the author butchered "paradigm" and his assumptions are wrong.
Nov 23, 2008
Josh
rated it:
A bit pedantic at times, but Gen. Smith has the experience and brains to go off on his own without me complaining too much. Gives a concise overview of industrial warfare and how things have changed since then, as well as good recommendations on future courses of action.
Interesting read for military historians
Interesting read for military historians
Oct 17, 2010
Myk
rated it: 
This is a very interesting book. If you pay attention you will notice the 9 principles of war and how leaders used them to be successful.
May 13, 2010
Jim
rated it:
so far it is what I have expected. the author draws from over 40 years of military experience. should be a good book.
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