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Command

The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine
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( 326 ratings, 31 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Command by Sir Lawrence Freedman delves into the complexities of military leadership and decision-making. Exploring historical and contemporary case studies, the book examines how various leaders have shaped outcomes in times of conflict and crisis. Freedman analyses the intricate balance between authority, strategy, and unforeseen challenges that commanders face in the pursuit of success.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this engaging exploration of leadership and decision-making in various critical scenarios. The author offers insights into how leaders navigate complex political and strategic environments, making it appealing if you're interested in the intricacies of power dynamics and effective governance.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Command is described by the Guardian as 'the history of our time,' offering a timely exploration into the interplay between politics and military operations.

Throughout history, the concept of command—both as a way to achieve objectives and as an assertion of authority—has been essential to military action and leadership. However, as Sir Lawrence Freedman illustrates, it is also deeply political.

Military command has been reconstructed and revolutionised since the Second World War by factors such as nuclear warfare, small-scale guerrilla land operations, and cyber interference. Freedman takes a global perspective, systematically analysing its practice and politics since 1945. He explores a wide range of conflicts, including the French Colonial Wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bangladesh Liberation War, 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 illustrates that military decision-making cannot be disentangled from civilian priorities. Commanders must now possess the sensibility to navigate both politics and warfare.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Sir Lawrence Freedman's Command is hailed for its insightful analysis of high command and civil-military relations since 1945, with reviewers praising its clarity, depth, and storytelling. It explores the intricate relationship between military leaders and political authorities, emphasising the challenges and tensions faced during conflicts. The book is considered essential reading for understanding modern warfare dynamics, with its detailed accounts from historical conflicts offering valuable lessons for contemporary leaders.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141993515

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 September 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 29.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 455g

Pages: 624

About the Author

Sir Lawrence Freedman is Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London. He was the official historian of the Falklands Campaign, and a member of the official inquiry into Britain and the 2003 Iraq War ('the Chilcot Inquiry'). He has written extensively on nuclear strategy and the Cold War, and comments regularly on contemporary security issues. He is the author of The Future of War, Strategy, which was a Financial Times and Economist book of the year and A Choice of Enemies- America Confronts the Middle East, which won the 2009 Lionel Gelber Prize and Duke of Westminster Medal for Military Literature.

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