7 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Winning With Indirect Methods, April 23, 2004 By
E. Gartman (Rockville, MD USA)
Noted Military Historian Bevin Alexander's latest effort represents an expansion of BH Liddell Hart's work. In his classic
text on strategy, Liddell Hart differentiates between direct and indirect methods of warfare, and finds the latter to be by
far the more successful approach. Liddell Hart does not examine different types of indirect action, however, and this is where
Alexander's work comes in. Alexander begins with the premise that frontal assaults against fortified positions should never
be attempted. Attacks should always come from the side or rear. This has the advantage of striking the enemy where they are
weaker, and perhaps more importantly, it throws them off psychologically, disorienting, and frightening them. Alexander lists
thirteen such variations on these same ideas, such as encirclement, holding in one place and striking another, creating diversions,
cutting of the enemy's retreat, etc. Each method receives its own chapter, accompanied by several historical examples of the
successful execution of the tactic, usually taken from as many different eras as possible. Of particular note are the examples
taken from Stonewall Jackson's campaigns, a subject on which Alexander is one of the leading authorities. In writing this
work it seems clear that Alexander is trying to place himself in line with the classics of military theory: Sun-Tzu, Clausewitz,
Liddell Hart. Only time will tell whether or not he achieves this lofty goal. In the meantime there is little doubt that this
fascinating and well-written work should be closely examined military strategists, historians, and armchair generals.
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p.2 The specific ancient rule the terrorists followed was to avoid the enemy's strength and strike
at weakness.
p.8 Whatever form warfare takes in the future, it will involve the application of strategy and tactics,
the twin divisions of warfare that have existed from the start.
p.8-9 Strategy and tactics must be designed to take advantage of the wisdom embodied in the rules... The
commander must evaluate every new situation with great care, and then choose the rule or rules he must employ to
achieve success. The rules of war relate to specific problems as they arise, and are not general rules always
to be applied in all situations.
p.16 commanders who can see their tasks as part of a larger goal or objective and who can cooperate
with other detached elements will be successful.
p.23 The rule of war that is most relevant to the current war on terrorism is the maxim to exploit
an enemy's weaknesses, while nullifying his strength.
p.180 One of the potentially most decisive rules of war is to press straight into an enemy's vitals, and
destroy the means by which he can resist.
p.324 deception must rely, in most cases, on confusing or blocking an enemy's perception
of what is happening.
p.329 While all great ideas are simple, the gift of Napoleon and other military geniuses is to see
the obvious when others do not.
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