Martin van Creveld Books

This unique volume traces the history of the state from its beginnings to the present day.

Instead of fearing a nuclear war between two superpowers, the world now watches smaller conflicts warily. This book addresses the question: Will fear and respect for nuclear weapons be sufficient to prevent their use despite the implacable hatred that characterizes many regional rivalries?

Martin van Creveld is a prominent military historian, and his work serves as a vital supplement to Clausewitz, especially in light of technological advancements since the Napoleonic era. While classic texts like The Art of War and On War are widely recognized, numerous lesser-known military writings have emerged over the past 2,327 years. Authors such as Vauban and Douhet focused on specific war aspects, while others like Onasander and Jomini addressed broader strategies, all aimed at enhancing military effectiveness. Dr. van Creveld, a Professor Emeritus at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, is well-equipped to explore the history of military strategy, having authored over twenty influential works, including Technology and War and The Transformation of War. His concept of “nontrinitarian” warfare and contributions to 4GW literature underscore his expertise. This comprehensive history begins with Chinese military literature and progresses through Greek, Roman, and Byzantine texts, covering the Middle Ages and key figures from Machiavelli to Frederick the Great. The narrative continues with naval warfare literature and early 20th-century strategists like Moltke and Liddell Hart, concluding with modern concepts such as Mutually Assured Destruction and insurgency. This concise yet extensive overview serves as both an introduction for newcomers and a valuable summary for seasoned experts, illustrating the evolution of military th

Analyses the performance of two key parties engaged in fighting during World War II.

A second edition of this classic work, commenting on the role of logistics in warfare.

From Confucian China to the present day, warriors have understood that combat is an art, one requiring sharp, flexible minds capable of adapting quickly to constantly shifting situations. In a survey that looks widely across history and cultures, the theories of some of the finest thinkers and strategists unfold, illuminating the development of military thought. The story begins with ancient Chinese tacticians, especially Sun Tzu, who was among the first to compose written texts on how to wage war. It then proceeds to the age of classical antiquity, which saw the creation of many unsurpassed works on military history: to Byzantine and medieval Western thought; to the years between 1500 and the end of the Seven Years' War, when Machiavelli wrote; and then to some of the true greats like Clausewitz. We head into the modern age with a look at the 19th century, naval warfare, the two World Wars, nuclear strategy, and guerrilla insurrections. 224 pages, 70 color illus., 80 b/w illus., 7 3/4 x 10 3/8.

In the form it has finally assumed, this volume falls into two very different parts. Part 1 was written by Dr. Steve Canby, Ken Brower, and Martin van Creveld at the invitation of Air University, Maxwell Airforce Base, Alabama. It represents the authors joint attempt to clarify the relationship between air power and maneuver warfare since 1939, a subject that derives its importance from the fact that maneuver warfare has been the U. S. Army’s official doctrine since the early eighties and remains so to the present day. By contrast, part 2 was added ex post facto. It contains the collective wisdom of the military doctrine analysts of the Air University on the same subjects, as well as the way in which the authors in the first section have presented them. The reader is invited to wade through the entire volume and draw his/her own conclusions about the past, present, and future of air power on the one hand and maneuver warfare on the other, assuming indeed that they do have a future.

At a time when unprecedented change in international affairs is forcing governments, citizens, and armed forces everywhere to re-assess the question of whether military solutions to political problems are possible any longer, Martin van Creveld has written an audacious searching examination of the nature of war and of its radical transformation in our own time. -- Published description

A compelling guide to prediction, a subject that is vital to modern existence.

Explores the history and development of wargames, and how they relate to real war and society in general.