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Jungle of Snakes: A Century of Counterinsurgency Warfare from the Philippines to Iraq
A gripping history of a new kind of warfare, with sobering lessons for America's future.
The end of the cold war promised a new era of international peace. But instead, violence has proliferated across the globe, not in the form of a superpower arms race or a clash of armies, but in bitter local conflicts marked by terrorism, insurgency, and guerrilla warfare. Former Central Intelligence Agency director James Woolsey likened the post-cold-war world to "a jungle full of snakes." The emergence of this new, potentially never-ending struggle has forced our military to reevaluate strategies or risk losing hearts, minds, and soldiers the world over.
James Arnold delivers a gripping narrative of a century of counterinsurgent warfare, from the Philippine War to present-day Iraq, analyzing wars won and the British in Malaya, the French in Algeria, and the United S tates in Vietnam. Arnold explains the tug-of-war for civilian support and illustrates the high stakes of any counterinsurgency effort. The epilogue examines the occupation of Iraq, where America, to its cost, ignored the lessons of previous conflicts.
A veteran military historian, Arnold combines storytelling ability with strategic insight. Jungle of Snakes will be essential reading for those who want to understand the ongoing series of struggles that the Pentagon calls "the Long War."
The end of the cold war promised a new era of international peace. But instead, violence has proliferated across the globe, not in the form of a superpower arms race or a clash of armies, but in bitter local conflicts marked by terrorism, insurgency, and guerrilla warfare. Former Central Intelligence Agency director James Woolsey likened the post-cold-war world to "a jungle full of snakes." The emergence of this new, potentially never-ending struggle has forced our military to reevaluate strategies or risk losing hearts, minds, and soldiers the world over.
James Arnold delivers a gripping narrative of a century of counterinsurgent warfare, from the Philippine War to present-day Iraq, analyzing wars won and the British in Malaya, the French in Algeria, and the United S tates in Vietnam. Arnold explains the tug-of-war for civilian support and illustrates the high stakes of any counterinsurgency effort. The epilogue examines the occupation of Iraq, where America, to its cost, ignored the lessons of previous conflicts.
A veteran military historian, Arnold combines storytelling ability with strategic insight. Jungle of Snakes will be essential reading for those who want to understand the ongoing series of struggles that the Pentagon calls "the Long War."
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 12, 2013
The best book on the topic of insurgency and counterinsurgency I have read. Excellent selections to explicate the main themes, showing how some methods of counterinsurgency succeeded as well as dissecting the problems in the ones that failed.
Begins with the U.S. dealing with the insurrection in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century and continues into modern era with special focus on Algeria from 1954-62.
If you are looking for a readable yet scholarly commentary on the topic, I strongly recommend this work.
Begins with the U.S. dealing with the insurrection in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century and continues into modern era with special focus on Algeria from 1954-62.
If you are looking for a readable yet scholarly commentary on the topic, I strongly recommend this work.
April 20, 2015
This work is an examination of insurgency and counter-insurgency wars during the 20th century using four wars as case studies. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Algeria are the studies. The author is off on when American involvement in Vietnam started as President Kennedy sent armed military advisors prior to the authors start date of 1965 and several were killed in country. Otherwise, it is a readable book on the subject.
July 30, 2010
The writing is not very good, some of the details and analysis are too sparse. He highlights two successful counter-insurgencies and two unsuccessful ones, but does not do enough to explore if any pattern exists or not.
One aspect some might find interesting is his treatment of Vietnam as an insurgency. But I think Max Boot dealt with this concept better in his book on small wars.
One aspect some might find interesting is his treatment of Vietnam as an insurgency. But I think Max Boot dealt with this concept better in his book on small wars.
July 15, 2010
Interesting overview of 4 20th C. counter insurgency efforts: Philippines, Algeria, Malaysia and Vietnam. Some interesting information but not as in depth or as clear as I would like.
April 25, 2011
If you into counterinsurgency strategy this is a must read. Very good lessons in history that will help in current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
October 31, 2015
Actually very good. Covers 4 insurgent episodes very well, looks for parallels that may help inform these types of actions in the future.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews