An astute military historian's appraisal of what separates the sheep from the wolves in the great game of war.―Kirkus Reviews If a key to military victory is to "get there first with the most;" the true test of the great general is to decide where "there" is―the enemy's Achilles heel. Here is a narrative account of decisive engagements that succeeded by brilliant strategy more than by direct force. The reader accompanies those who fought; from Roman legionaries and Mongol horsemen to Napoleonic soldiery; American Civil War Rebels and Yankees; World War I Tommies; Lawrence of Arabia's bedouins; Chinese revolutionaries; British Desert Rats; Rommel's Afrika Korps; and Douglas MacArthur's Inchon invaders. However varied their weapons; the soldiers of all these eras followed a commander who faced the same obstacles and demonstrated the strategic and tactical genius essential for victory. "All warfare is based on deception;" wrote Sun Tzu in The Art of War in 400 BCE. Bevin Alexander shows how great generals have interpreted this advice; and why it still holds true today. Maps; illustrations
#1095118 in Books 1998-01-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .90 x 5.50l; .73 #File Name: 0393317056336 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great book on a fairly well covered topicBy Jonathan WellerThe Ruling Race is an in-depth look at the demographics of the slaveholding class in the years prior to the Civil War. James Oakes’ book attempts to make two main points: the development of the diversity of the southern slave owners; and to explore the patterns of political ambitions; ideological beliefs and demographics the “ruling class.†Oakes also addresses the complexities of the slave economy in relation to American capitalism; while pointing out the contradiction of slave holding in a society that put an immense value on freedom.Oakes makes his first two points successfully; however; his most interesting point is when he attacks Eugene Genovese’s idea of a benevolent paternalistic southern society. Oakes explains that the South was just as entrepreneurial and capitalistic; and that most slave owners were just as much market materialists as their northern rivals. While Genovese’s argument is a tough one to refute; Oakes successfully navigates the reader through Genovese’s assertions to show that slave owning paternalism was not the driving economic force in the antebellum South; having and being able to maintain their human property was.Oakes’ work is an essential read to anyone interested in the antebellum slave-owning South. The book offers an effective; yet viable explanation for the continued existence of slavery throughout the region; and why the South was so willing to fight; and die for an institution that many in the country saw as archaic.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CustomerMint condition!3 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Every American Should Know This Stuff...But Few Do.By Lowell "RaceMan" ThompsonThis is not for casual readers. You have to really want to know the real history of our "guilty land" to stick with it.It can be pretty dry at times; but it also gave me insights that I never learned in school.
