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Strategy and History
Alexander the Great: Lessons in Strategy
This book offers a strategic analysis of one of the most outstanding military careers in history, identifying the most pertinent strategic lessons from the campaigns of Alexander the Great.
David Lonsdale argues that since the core principles of strategy are eternal, the study and analysis of historical examples have value to the modern theorist and practitioner. Furthermore, as strategy is so complex and challenging, the remarkable career of Alexander provides the ideal opportunity to understand best practice in strategy, as he achieved outstanding and continuous success across the spectrum of warfare, in a variety of circumstances and environments. This book presents the thirteen most pertinent lessons that can be learned from his campaigns, dividing them into three categories: grand strategy, military operations, and use of force. Each of these categories provides lessons pertinent to the modern strategic environment. Ultimately, however, the book argues that the dominant factor in his success was Alexander himself, and that it was his own characteristics as a strategist that allowed him to overcome the complexities of strategy and achieve his expansive goals.
David Lonsdale argues that since the core principles of strategy are eternal, the study and analysis of historical examples have value to the modern theorist and practitioner. Furthermore, as strategy is so complex and challenging, the remarkable career of Alexander provides the ideal opportunity to understand best practice in strategy, as he achieved outstanding and continuous success across the spectrum of warfare, in a variety of circumstances and environments. This book presents the thirteen most pertinent lessons that can be learned from his campaigns, dividing them into three categories: grand strategy, military operations, and use of force. Each of these categories provides lessons pertinent to the modern strategic environment. Ultimately, however, the book argues that the dominant factor in his success was Alexander himself, and that it was his own characteristics as a strategist that allowed him to overcome the complexities of strategy and achieve his expansive goals.
- GenresWar
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 20, 2018
The book offers fascinating insights but it is quite murky in their development.
January 31, 2022
What is interesting is that Lonsdale proposes that "the power to hurt works", a necessary component of strategy, is much misunderstood in its application & open to abuse by military commanders. He argues on certain occasions, that there may arise a strategic necessity for brutal suppression entailing denudation of civilian infrastructure and/or mass killings, cited here in as "cattle-lifting & village-burning", practiced by Alexander in some of his storied campaigns against stubborn resistance or entrenched insurgents. Its evocation brings to mind Hafez Al-Assad's brutal devastation of Hama in the 80s & Sherman's March to the Sea during the American Civil War: both have been cited by professional historians as being particularly effective; the latter progressively broke the morale of the populace of the Deep South whereas the former broke the resistance of Syria's Sunni populace centered at Hama. Lonsdale recognizes that said opinion may prove too controversial in an era where news can fly around the world in an instant & prove unpalatable to citizens of liberal democracies.
October 23, 2013
You might find better books on Warfare than this one
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews