The classic book on strategy by one of the foremost military thinkers of the twentieth century, Strategy draws on all of military history, f...
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Nov 15, 2011
Mike
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Few authors have aimed as high as B.H. Liddell Hart has in Strategy. Through a systematic examination of every major conflict throughout human history, Liddell Hart attempts to show that all major victories are achieved through use of what he terms “the indirect approach,” and conversely, that every loss is due to the errors of a “direct approach.” He believes strongly in this key distinction, insisting that “the indirect approach [has] a much wider application—that it [is] a law of life in all
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Feb 19, 2010
Richard
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he summarized the book in one sentence: no one wins through a direct approach. In the course of history, the most significant battles are the ones that was won using the theory of indirect approach. The aspects discussed in the are very much applicable in our daily lives and relevant that we can easily understand and form analogies based on our experiences. the indirect approach can be applied in busniesses, in our work place, in our relationships, in selling our ideas, and more. Richard suggest
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Oct 16, 2011
Ari
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Divided into four sections: a superficial and self-indulgent summary of strategy throughout history, far better analyses of the two World Wars specifically, and a short, brilliant distillation of the essence of strategy to end the book. The author’s idea of the “indirect approach,” which he uses without definition, is to place the enemy in such a strategic position such that decision by battle is unnecessary or a forgone conclusion – “decisive battles” to defeat the enemy’s strength rarely decid
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Oct 24, 2007
Luke
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I bought this on recommendation of a military-history-buff friend. It was then booknapped for the better part of a year by a housemate who works in politics.
I finally read it and really enjoyed it. It's amazing to think that Hart was one of the first military thinkers of the modern era to discuss tangential strategy. That is, if you're pursuing a goal you should always be finding and employing the least costly method to reach that goal, even if it doesn't appear to be directly rel More...
I finally read it and really enjoyed it. It's amazing to think that Hart was one of the first military thinkers of the modern era to discuss tangential strategy. That is, if you're pursuing a goal you should always be finding and employing the least costly method to reach that goal, even if it doesn't appear to be directly rel More...
Jul 30, 2008
Lance
rated it: 
I read this after I'd joined the Navy and before I reported for boot-camp. Even though my brother (an ex-Marine) told me I wouldn't need to know anything the book had to offer, I thought I might as well learn all I could about military thinking before I went in. It was an engaging read.
I was surprised to learn that one of the most effective military strategies is economic sanctions. The author posed the theory that WWII wouldn't have lasted nearly as long if England and France had tak More...
I was surprised to learn that one of the most effective military strategies is economic sanctions. The author posed the theory that WWII wouldn't have lasted nearly as long if England and France had tak More...
Apr 02, 2009
Perotine
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Enthralling. Outstanding. Fantastic. Hart is the stodgy-looking professor who you're ready to like but then you find yourself completely in love and it's AWESOME. I don't agree with all of his conclusions, or even all of his reasoning, but the man is a genius. It is impossible to understate how important he's been to our understandings of modern warfare.
Nov 08, 2010
Ning Ning
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My middle school humanities teacher, Mr. Wandell (who is, by the way, the best teacher I've ever had), recommended this to us on a regular basis. I finally picked it up and read it this summer.
I'd like to take a moment to thank Mr. Wandell for recommending this book to us.
I'd like to take a moment to thank Mr. Wandell for recommending this book to us.
Aug 26, 2009
Jarrod
rated it:
The book is more fun to read if you use a British accent while reading...
At times the book drags but culminates in Part IV with an insightful and fair minded critic of Clausewitz. Depending on ones interests they could probably read this section and forgo the prior 300+ pages and still get a great deal from the book.
At times the book drags but culminates in Part IV with an insightful and fair minded critic of Clausewitz. Depending on ones interests they could probably read this section and forgo the prior 300+ pages and still get a great deal from the book.
Oct 30, 2007
Jeff
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Military strategy deals with finding the best way to marshal one’s limited resources to best an opponent in a zero-sum game. Even if one never has plans for a military career, one can still uses strategic principles to analyze and overcome many crisis situations. The great strategic thinkers propose themes, theories, tenets and axioms that, while intended for the military theater, can be applied to many realms of life.
Liddell Hart is of these great thinkers; some say the best of th More...
Liddell Hart is of these great thinkers; some say the best of th More...
Feb 01, 2010
Jfk
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I read this for its historic influence. It’s fairly interesting if you really want to understand strategy with some historical perspective, but I think you need to be pretty into this sort of thing to appreciate it (and not be an officer in the military).
Nov 11, 2011
Greg
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This is a great book to understand military doctrine and strategy up to the "war on terror". Explains the concept of limited war, the prevalence and origins of guerrilla war, and the matching of startegy to grand strategy (policy aims).
Jan 29, 2012
Avis
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Food for thought, but man, is it ever a dry read. The low rating is for the writing style.
Dec 12, 2007
James
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If only some famous (and infamous) generals and politicians had read this and taken it to heart, millions of people who have died in the 20th century would be alive today. With many specific examples of general principles, Liddell Hart presented lessons he had learned in the trenches in World War I. The underlying idea is at of the indirect approach.
Jan 29, 2012
Michael
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An approach to military strategy with analysis of strategy and campaigns. Mostly from renaissance to World War II. Rather dense. Pictured cover is another book.
Sep 16, 2009
Tracy
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I have only got about half-way through this and need to get back through it, but what I have taken away from this is learning the indirect approach.
Feb 18, 2008
Devin
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A classic book on the general rules of Military Strategy (not specific to a particular time or place) for those interested in the subject.
Oct 09, 2008
Peter
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A good read about how certain battles were won dating from the times of the ancient Greeks to the World Wars.
Sep 22, 2009
Patrick
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An excellent overview of indirect strategy, illustrated with campaigns throughout Western history.
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