How to Make War: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Warfare in the Twenty-First Century

by James F. Dunnigan

Book Overview

An indispensable guide to how wars are fought, James F. Dunnigan's classic text has been enormously popular with citizens, professional soldiers, and journalists alike. Now, it's been revised to include a stunning array of new subjects. From the cutting edge of cyberwar to the current concern about terrorism, How to Make War presents a clear picture of complex weapons, armed forces, and tactics.

Describing a new world order, one with a...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006009012X
• ISBN13: 9780060090128
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 672 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Managing Modern war

Dunnigan was part of the now gone SSI war gamers generation. This books is not a collection of war stories but a lay person's guide to how wars are managed from a broad perspective. This is not the book written by a beltway bandit trying to sell the next generation of wonder weapons, or an author who uses the usual beltway pompous pointless semantics that offend no one and says nothing. This is a book that talks about war at the retail and wholesale level. There are comparison tables, weapons charts and explanations of what it takes for modern war. You might get a 5 second blip about this on CNN. Dunnigan's books should be required reading for all those who want a more than casual shoot'em up approach to war. His chapters are organized around topics and themes such as "Leadership" or "The Poor Bloody Infantry". Those who are military academy students or citizens who want a more direct explanation of the mechanics of warefare management should read this book.

An excellent book

Very thorough. Excellent knowledge of the arms and methods of modern warfare as used around the time of the Gulf War and Cold War. Graphs and charts comparing Western and Russian /Third World armies and arms. Discussion of everything from strategies to morale and the intangibles of modern war. Gives insight into warfare and you understand why anyone who's been there doesn't want to go there again. Yet it gives the necessities and analysis of war. It's got alot of information, which the average reader may find more information than they need or want to know. Yet the readability is good. An excellent book.

HOW TO MAKE WAR

Background1. 'How To Make War' is as the title suggests is aimed to be `a comprehensive guide to modern warfare for the post cold war era'. This, the third in the series of 'How To Make War' books written by the author James Dunnigan is a comprehensively revised edition published in 1995. The author has gone on to gain much acclaim through his later titles including the well-known `How Not to Make War'.2. After the end of the Cold War, the world has seen major upheavals in the politico-military arena. The emergence of the United States as the only superpower and recent events such as the Gulf War in 1991, have changed the threat perceptions of most countries and as a consequence military policies. This has invariably lead to a rethink in warfare methods and techniques, in addition to the continued advancement in terms of warfare technology. Dunnigan has written this revised edition of 'How To Make War' with special emphasis to the above changes in the post Cold War scenario.The Book3. The author begins by acquainting the reader with the universal `principles of war'. The book is structured into four major sections, the first three being the obvious air, land and sea theatres. More importantly however, is Dunnigan's emphasis on the human factor involved in war, which has a section by itself devoted to it in Part Four of the book. In addition there are four other sections dealing with special weapons, numerical warfare, and transportation logistics. The final section is a summary and statistics of the weapons and armed forces of the time. The sections are interspersed with as many as 48 different charts and tables displaying a vast array of data, which help the reader in assimilating the text. The sections on Ground Combat, Air Operations and Naval Operations introduce and discuss the composition, roles, conditions, developments and future trends of their respective components. This helps the reader to understand and comprehend the facts presented subsequently. 4. In the part dealing with ground combat, the author has brought out the changing role of the infantry with the advance in technology. At the same time he clearly brings out it's indispensability with respect to occupation of enemy territory, which continues to be the final determinant of victory. Dunnigan also charts out the material developments in ground battle methods, by providing details of the armory of the major players of today. The tremendous development in artillery weapons is well documented and interesting, while the factual account of the same is fairly precise and informative. This section also has a chapter devoted to the increasing role of the paramilitary forces and reserves.5. In the section on Air Operations, the author tries to substantiate his theory that the air force is primarily an information gathering service whose warfare role evolved to destroy the enemy air forces. He does dwell on it's emerging importance in softening of enemy targets for the infantry, while

The best synopsis of total theater modern warfare ever.

wow. I'm no expert in warfare, but I really enjoy wargames. This book details all kinds of operational, tactical and strategic dynamics which enter into the battlefield. What a great read! Dunnigan knows his stuff (and I don't work for him or am related to him). GET THIS BOOK!!!!! you will not be disapointed!!!!

Without a doubt, the most informative book on war ever.

I have read all three editions of this book (and several of Dunnigans other books on contemporary military matters) and wish to say that "How to Make War" is the best overall guide to not just war, but to military affairs ever written. His style is highly readable, and he knows all aspects of his subject very well (would that more policy makers and military people would pick it up). In an area of inquiry that is both so important and so widely misunderstood, it is a real benefit to those in government, industry, academia, and the military who wish to really understand military matters. I have read all editions more than once and find myself using the book frequently for reference in my work.