A Guide to the Study and Use of Military History

by John E. Jessup Jr.

ON 6 June 1944, as the allied forces began the invasion of Normandy. General George S. Patton. Jr., wrote to his son, then a cadet at the United States Military Academy, that "to be a successful soldier. you must know history," The number of similar pronouncements from noted military figures. including Napoleon. is almost endless and the basic refrain is the same-to understand the present and to prepare for the future the study of history is vital. This applies most particularly to those who lead men in battle. As Marshal Foch wrote, "no study is possible on the battlefield. one does simply what one can in order to apply what one knows," Despite vast changes in technology since World War II, the combat leader may still learn much from the study of past battles and campaigns. Weather, terrain, and intelligence of friendly and enemy dispositions, for instance, are as important today as in the days of Alexander, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon; human reactions in combat remain relatively constant. Before a reader embarks on the study of military history, he may well ask about the nature of the historical discipline of which it is a part. What is history? Why and how study it? In the swiftly changing world of the 1970s with newspapers, radio. and television pouring out a constant stream of information and news that competes for his attention, why should the reader concern himself about the past? Is the past dead? Is it useful or relevant to the present? Does it have anything to teach? Is history more than a collection of dates and events entombed in a dull textbook that taxed the reader's memory in his school days? By what standards can he judge the merits of historical writings and the contributions of historians? To answer these questions it is necessary to understand what history is about. what its relations are with other disciplines, how it is written, what purposes and uses it serves, and how the field in general has developed. From the author . . .

Genres: History, Military History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, American History, World War I, World War II

526 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Alex Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rather instructive text, summarizing various schools of thought when it comes to military history. The bulk of the text is an annotated-bibliography/summary of military history from the dawn of time until the 1970s.

The focus is more on "How to study military history, and why you should care" for the first quarter of the book. This was interesting, but I have some different interpretations of Clausewitz. Overall it's instructive.

The "Summary/bibliography" consumes the remaining three-quarters of the book. It really focuses on American military history, and glosses over ancient and medieval (and early modern) military history. I don't know how to feel about this, as my belief is studying military history is like studying art: it's always in reaction to the status quo. Consequently, I feel the best way to study military history is from ancient times, and progress slowly studying the innovations and changes over time. But this requires years of study, and hundreds of thousands of pages!

The bibliography aspect of this section serves quite well...in places. I heartily agreed with the references for the American civil war, checking both Freeman's Lee and Lee's Lieutenants as well as Henderson's Stonewall Jackson were included.

But the bibliography for pre-modern warfare is a bit of a joke, they forget: Knight's The Normans in Sicily (or any other text on the Norman invasion of Sicily), Donald Engels' Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army. I could not locate any references on Belisarius, Genghis Khan, or Alexander Suvorov...but they could have been hidden among the hundreds of references, and simply glossed over them.

These blemishes aside, this serves as a great introduction on how to study military history.

[Mark Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrift store find from many years ago. This is a practical guide to the study of military history from the United Sates Army. Although written with military officers in mind, anyone interested in the history of warfare will find it useful. About two-thirds of the text is an extensive bibliography of recommended texts, and I was checking off books that I had and books I would like to read someday.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has created a book for those interested in military history. He includes resources and how to access them. A decent reference work.

[Paul Holloway]

A Guide to the study and use of military history by John E. Jessup (1979)