Command in War Paperback

"Command in War" by Martin Van Creveld is a seminal work that offers a comprehensive and historically rich analysis of the very nature of military command, tracing its evolution over two millennia from ancient Greece to the Vietnam War. Unlike books focused solely on strategy or great commanders, this groundbreaking study delves into the practical problems involved in leading armies, including staff organization, communication methods, weaponry, and logistics, and how these factors intertwine with military strategy. Through vivid descriptions of key battles and campaigns—such as Napoleon at Jena or the Arab-Israeli War of 1973—Van Creveld illuminates how technological advancements introduced both new tactical possibilities and unexpected limitations, ultimately revealing that progress in command has often been achieved not by simply embracing new technology, but by ingeniously transcending the limitations of existing ones.