Post photo: reading girl | Bookshelf | S. Hermann & F. Richter | © Pixabay
Currently, many people are concerned with the war in Ukraine and the attack on Israel. We can read a lot about it in the media and even more illustrious experts and politicians are happy to add their own two cents.
If you have nothing to do with the subject of war professionally, it is very difficult to be able to classify the whole thing correctly from a military-political point of view. It becomes even more difficult if you try to read the classics of war history yourself: Sun Tzu, Thucydides, Musashi, Clausewitz or Moltke (this is my personal selection!).
Mike Martin also recognized this problem and that is probably why he wrote his book “How to Fight a War”, which was just published this year. On 232 pages it gives a good and very understandable overview of what you as a politician, military or citizen have to pay attention to in principle, if not explicitly, if you want to delve deeper into the topic.
The book is a very quick read and certainly all experts will agree with most of the statements made by it Mike Martin agree. However, if you want to delve deeper into the topic, then you should study it intensively for a few decades. Then you might even reach a level where you no longer have to misquote the classics I listed above.
“As a leader, your job is not always to avoid war at all costs: sometimes it will be the only way to settle a strategic question.”
Mike MArtin, How to fight a War (2023: 33)
Definitely I recommend Mike Martins book to every interested reader and encourage his book to become required reading for all politicians who are concerned with foreign and security policy.
“Suffice it to say, if you get involved in a long-lasting war the degree to which you are able to harness your entire nation behind the project will be a significant factor in your victory or defeat.”
Mike MArtin, How to fight a War (2023: 41)
