The Evolution of Strategy

Reviews / Votes

'This is a real masterpiece. As a history of strategic thinking, ancient and modern, it is comprehensive, learned and authoritative. Its discussion of contemporary issues is shrewd and illuminating. It is lucid, wise, often witty, and above all, deeply humane. It should be essential reading for all students and practitioners of strategy: indeed I doubt whether they will need any other for a long time to come.' Sir Michael Howard, former Regius Professor of Modern History, University of Oxford 'Beatrice Heuser has produced a book of immense and unique scholarship. The study provides the most detailed and comprehensive survey yet written on strategic thinking across the ages from Roman times to the contemporary debates about the future of warfare in the twenty-first century. It is essential reading for any serious university or military student of strategic studies or international security.' John Baylis, Emeritus Professor and formerly Pro Vice Chancellor, Swansea University 'With this work Beatrice Heuser has made a major contribution. This is much more than just a survey of strategy through the ages, but a deep, intellectual examination of the complex relationships between strategy and war through the course of history.' Williamson Murray, Professor Emeritus of History, Ohio State University 'Heuser's history of strategic theory and practice demonstrates extraordinary range, erudition, intelligence, and insight. She appears to have read everything, in many languages, about attempts to apply armed force effectively. The Evolution of Strategy will be the first port of call for those wanting to check up on the development of land strategy in the eighteenth century, maritime strategy in the nineteenth century, nuclear strategy in the twentieth century, or counterinsurgency strategy in the twenty-first century.' Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs 'Beatrice Heuser ... has written one of the most important books on strategy and war to appear in recent years.' H. R. MacMaster, Survival '... Hauser's deeply intellectual analysis of the history of military strategy achieves its aim and achieves it with style. It is comprehensive without being dry, it is intellectual without being geekish and it is authoritative without being academically arrogant ... It should be read, digested, considered and appreciated like one would approach a Cuban cigar and cognac in the study or ante-room. The author is to be congratulated for a fine piece of work and a major contribution to the study of strategy.' Dave Mugridge, The Naval Review 'There can be no dispute that this is a major work by a recognised authority. Heuser set out to provide a survey of the literature discussing this subject over much of European history and there can be little doubt that she has achieved her aim.' Australian Defence Force Journal