Masters of the Art of Command

by Martin Blumenson, James L. Stokesbury

"Only rarely does a work of military history appear that serves to illuminated the paradox of the infinitely rich diversity of the military art and the fundamental continuity of principle and character revealed by its practitioners across the centuries. Such a book is Masters of the Art of Command, a wide-ranging series of essays on military leaders, ancient and modern, whose actions and personalities provide insights into the interplay of time, circumstance, and individual character and ability that makes for success--or, equally instructive, for failure.

"In a lively and perceptive introductory essay, Stokesbury sketches the ever-changing circumstances, tools, and social purposes of warfare to reveal its essential continuity of principle. In the series of essays that follow, Blumenson casts a wide net--over 'Some Masters of the Art' (Sulla, Saxe, Thomas, and Huebner, among others); over 'Masters of Mobile Warfare' (Iberville, Crook, Wolseley, Hart, Montgomery, and Patton); over 'Coalition Warfare' (Rochambeau, Eisenhower, and various command problems and situations); and over special problems such as military obedience, Hitler and his generals, and the 'maverick' military leader.

"For the general reader, this book will provide a fascinating trip across historical fields of battle; for the military professional or student of military history, it should strike sparks of recognition and illumination, and even touch a few nerve endings in the process. One can hardly ask for more."
--Col John G. Thompson, USAWC

Genres: History, Military Fiction

412 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 1990

About the author

Martin Blumenson was a soldier in the US army, and a military historian, and a recognised authority on the life of Gen. George S. Patton Jr.

Blumenson received a Bachelors and Masters degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He received a second master's degree in history from Harvard University. He also was an exellent pianist, performing at Carnegie Hall as a young man.

He served as a U.S. Army officer in northwestern Europe during World War II.
After the war he lived in France for a number of years, where he met his wife of 55 years, Genevieve Adelbert Blumenson, who died in 2000.

Blumenson again served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and later worked in the Office of the Chief of Military History until 1967. After this he became an adviser on civil disorders for the Johnson administration.

Reviews

[Curtiss]

Co-authors Blumenson and Stokesbury cover the contributions to strategy & tactics made by a variety of military leaders throughout the ages, from Roman General Sulla to master of the mobile offensive, Gen. George S. Patton. Other military commanders covered include: Saxe, Thomas, Huebner, Iberville, Crook, Wolseley, Hart, Rochambeau, and Eisenhower; and even Patton's ally/rival Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery.

My fellow admirer's of Mr. Stokesbury's lucid & insightful, single-volume histories of various military conflicts or battlefield weapons systems throughout history will enjoy these essays covering the contributions of individual leaders to the 'Art of Command'.

[Robert]

Seemed to start off slowly but as I began to get into what the author was doing here, I really came to appreciate what the author has done here. Great study of the topic of command in various settings and situations. Disappointing that there are no footnotes or bibliography - but perhaps I've gotten spoiled - still lots of great information here.