Small Wars: Their Principles and Practice (Third Edition) - Softcover

Callwell, C. E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080326366X ISBN 13: 9780803263666

Publisher: University of Nebraska Press, 1996

Synopsis

Originally published in 1896, Small Wars is an ambitious attempt to analyze and draw lessons from Western experience in fighting campaigns of imperial conquest. The quality of C. E. Callwell’s analysis, the sweep of his knowledge, and his ability to integrate information from an impressive variety of experiences resulted in Small War’s reputation as a minor classic.

For the historian, Small Wars remains a useful and vital analysis of irregular warfare experiences ranging from Hoche’s suppression of the Vendée revolt during the French Revolution, to the British wars against semi-organized armies of Marathas and Sikhs in mid-nineteenth-century India, to the Boer War of 1899–1902.

The military specialist discovers in Callwell lessons applicable to what today is called “low-intensity conflict.” his message is clear, and it is relevant to current debates about conflicts as diverse as those in Bosnia, Somalia, and Vietnam. Technological superiority is an important, but seldom critical, ingredient in the success of low-intensity operations. An ability to adapt to terrain and climate, to match the enemy in mobility and inventiveness, to collect intelligence, and above all the capacity to “seize what the enemy prizes most,” will determine success or failure. This reprint adds vital historical dimension to the growing literature on unconventional conflict.

About this title

About the Author

Douglas Porch is a professor of strategy at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. His most recent book is The French Secret Services.

From the Back Cover

Originally published in 1896, Small Wars is an ambitious attempt to analyze and draw lessons from Western experience in fighting campaigns of imperial conquest. For the historian, Small Wars remains a useful and vital analysis of irregular warfare experiences, ranging from Hoche's suppression of the Vendee revolt during the French Revolution to the British wars against semi-organized armies of Marathas and Sikhs in mid-nineteenth-century India to the Boer War of 1899-1902. The military specialist discovers in Callwell lessons applicable to what today is called "low-intensity conflict". His message is clear, and it is relevant to current debates about conflicts as diverse as those in Bosnia, Somalia, and Vietnam. Technological superiority is an important, but seldom critical, ingredient in the success of low-intensity operations. An ability to adapt to terrain and climate, to match the enemy in mobility and inventiveness, to collect intelligence, and above all the capacity to "seize what the enemy prizes most", will determine success or failure. This reprint adds historical dimensions to the growing literature on unconventional conflict.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080326366X
• ISBN 13: 9780803263666
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 579