Command

The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine

By Lawrence Freedman | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

About the book

A timely history of the interplay between politics and military operations, 'Command is the history of our time' (Guardian)

Military command has been reconstructed and revolutionized since the Second World War by nuclear warfare, small-scale guerrilla land operations and cyber interference. Freedman takes a global perspective, systematically investigating its practice and politics since 1945 through a wide range of conflicts from the French Colonial Wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bangladesh Liberation War to North Vietnam's Easter Offensive of 1972, the Falklands War, the Iraq War and Russia's wars in Chechnya and Ukraine. By highlighting the political nature of strategy, Freedman shows that military decision-making cannot be separated from civilian priorities and that commanders must now have the sensibility to navigate politics as well as warfare.

Editions of Command

Hardcover
ISBN 9780241456996
Paperback
ISBN 9780141993515
EBook
ISBN 9780141993522

Read an Excerpt

A timely history of the interplay between politics and military operations, 'Command is the history of our time' (Guardian)

Military command has been reconstructed and revolutionized since the Second World War by nuclear warfare, small-scale guerrilla land operations and cyber interference. Freedman takes a global perspective, systematically investigating its practice and politics since 1945 through a wide range of conflicts from the French Colonial Wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bangladesh Liberation War to North Vietnam's Easter Offensive of 1972, the Falklands War, the Iraq War and Russia's wars in Chechnya and Ukraine. By highlighting the political nature of strategy, Freedman shows that military decision-making cannot be separated from civilian priorities and that commanders must now have the sensibility to navigate politics as well as warfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Command about?

A timely history of the interplay between politics and military operations, 'Command is the history of our time' (Guardian)

Military command has been reconstructed and revolutionized since the Second World War by nuclear warfare, small-scale guerrilla land operations and cyber interference. Freedman takes a global perspective, systematically investigating its practice and politics since 1945 through a wide range of conflicts from the French Colonial Wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bangladesh Liberation War to North Vietnam's Easter Offensive of 1972, the Falklands War, the Iraq War and Russia's wars in Chechnya and Ukraine. By highlighting the political nature of strategy, Freedman shows that military decision-making cannot be separated from civilian priorities and that commanders must now have the sensibility to navigate politics as well as warfare.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Command?

Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Political science and theory

Where can I read a sample of Command?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241456996

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Command?

Lawrence Freedman

Who is the Publisher of the book Command?

Penguin Books Ltd

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Command is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241456996) and paperback(ISBN 9780141993515) and ebook(ISBN 9780141993522)

Where can I buy Command online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Command?