Books To Read To Understand Military Strategy

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5 books

Military theory is often dry and hard to relate to real life, be that business or life in the military. These books are critical reads for military leaders or enthusiasts, or those who want a military perspective on strategy. Reading all the books on this list is like a mini-professional development program.

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Strategia

A Primer on Theory and Strategy for Students of War

Charles S Oliviero, 2022

Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Machiavelli, etc – it’s easy to come up with a long list of military thinkers, but how do they relate to each other? Are they philosophers, strategists, theorists or tacticians? Strategia walks you through the history of military thought and explains how it all relates. An invaluable guide to understanding military thinking.

The Art of Maneuver

Maneuver Warfare Theory and Airland Battle

Robert Leonhard, 1994

Maneuver Warfare is a complex theory, but Leonhard makes it make sense. By carefully examining every aspect of the theory and showing how it is put into practice, he clarifies what it is and what it is not. This is perhaps the most powerful and impactful military theory of the 20th century, and there is no better book for a reader who wants to understand it.

The Kill Chain

Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare

Christian Brose, 2020

This book discusses the implications of new technologies, such as AI and autonomous systems, on the future of warfare, and how they will influence military strategy. While most military theory is backward-looking, this is forward-looking, and seeks to unveil the future of warfare and what it all means.

The Accidental Guerrilla

Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One

David Kilcullen, 2011

Kilcullen’s analysis of counterinsurgency and the dynamics of modern warfare offers insights into the complexities of fighting irregular wars in the 21st century. Moving the focus from conventional wars to the dirty conflicts that infest the globe, he makes it clear that military thinking must evolve if it is to be successful.

Praxis Tacticum

The Art, Science and Practice of Military Tactics

Charles S. Oliviero, 2021

Praxis Tacticum: The Art, Science, and Practice of Military Tactics by Colonel Charles S. Oliviero is a recent and significant contribution to military theory, particularly focused on the tactical level. The book is designed as a study guide for military professionals, especially junior officers, to better understand and apply tactical principles. Oliviero draws from his extensive experience and education to fill gaps he perceives in the professional military education system, emphasizing the need to "teach how to think" rather than just teach tactics.