What Should the U.S. Army Learn From History? Recovery From a Strategy Deficit

by Dr Colin S Gray

Does history repeat itself? This monograph clearly answers “no,” firmly. However, it does not argue that an absence of repetition in the sense of analogy means that history can have no utility for the soldier today. This monograph argues for a “historical parallelism,” in place of shaky or false analogy. The past, even the distant and ancient past, provides evidence of the potency of lasting virtues of good conduct. This monograph concludes by offering four

1. Behave prudently.

2. Remember the concept of the great stream of time.

3. Do not forget that war nearly always is a gamble.

4. War should only be waged with strategic sense.

70 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2018

Reviews

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Few Insights

The American soldier has a lot to learn from history. This book provides a short discussion on some of those lessons. War is said to be politics by other means. The American Way is said for the Army to remain apolitical. Soldiers walk a fine line here in order to successfully accomplish their is while supporting their political leaders. All soldiers should read this book, though the prose is a bit academic and sometimes difficult to follow upon a first reading. Give it time; you will come to understand.