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Masters of War: History's Greatest Strategic Thinkers cover art

Masters of War: History's Greatest Strategic Thinkers

By: The Great Courses, Andrew R. Wilson
Narrated by: Andrew R. Wilson
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Summary

From Napoleon's revolutionary campaigns to the way insurgency, terrorism, and nuclear weaponry have defined the nature of warfare in the 21st century, the results of military strategy have changed the course of history. These 24 thought-provoking lectures give you an inside look at both the content and historical context of the world's greatest war strategists.

From the triremes and hoplites of ancient Greece to the Special Forces in 21st-century Afghanistan, strategy is the process by which political objectives are translated into military action - using the means at a nation's disposal to compel an enemy to bend to its political will.

In this concise and rigorous survey, Professor Wilson introduces: Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War; Sun Tzu's famous The Art of War; Machiavelli's strategy for a republic with a citizen-army; Jomini, Clausewitz, and the Napoleonic revolution in warfare; the development of naval strategy and the rise of airpower; Mao Tse-tung, David Galula, and Roger Trinquier's reflections on insurgency and counterinsurgency and their influence on the U.S. Army's Field Manual 3-24; Just-war theory, from Thucydides' Melian Dialogue to Operation Iraqi Freedom; nuclear war, terrorism, and other strategic challenges for the 21st century.

You'll come away from this course with new insight that will allow you to take an informed, active interest in political and military debates - which ultimately will determine the course of our nation.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this course are those of the professor and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Masters of War: History's Greatest Strategic Thinkers

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A touch partisan and willfully blind.

The early stuff on historical thoughts on conflict is interesting and well presented, but the illustration of many of these considerations, 'Just War Theory' justifications for Iraq fails totally if you have read and been interested in the US's strategy to maintain regional hegemony in defence of the Petrodollar. It chooses to ignores far too much of the dynamics of the US's behaviour to justify a war of aggression against a previous ally. I don't have enough knowledge of the dynamics of the French in Algeria to pass comment, but after the somewhat 'dodgey' treatment of the Iraqi invasion it soured the remaining lectures for me.

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3 people found this helpful

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Educational and interesting

A good series of lectures, charting the progress of military theory, with real world examples of ideas from long ago. I liked the delivery, which felt relaxed and was easy to listen to. Will want to hear more of the Great Courses, especially Prof. Wilson's Art of War lectures.

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3 people found this helpful

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Lost all respect over Libya

What disappointed you about Masters of War: History's Greatest Strategic Thinkers?

I loved the book until the lecture involving Libya. Libya was the greatest strategic blunder in history, yet the lecturer praised the invasion and subsequent destruction of a stable state. Brexit surely was confirmed the moment Clinton et al decided to destroy a stabilizing force in the Mediterranean

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Masters of War: History's Greatest Strategic Thinkers?

Libya was a great event.

Any additional comments?

Disgusting, there are literally slave markets in Libya now, and migrants are drowning in the Mediterranean, but this lecturer praises the event. Libya has destabilized the political harmony of all of Europe. America being the airforce of ISIS is not great strategy for the peoples of Europe and America.

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2 people found this helpful

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Strategic thinkers

I learned a considerable amount from that course, however i found the speaker biased, short sighted (for instance considering the NATO destruction of Libya a duccessful operation, along with the meaningless Iraqi surge...), but mostly blinkered to a US based military perspective...Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, and related visions...and leaving out the strategic significance of nuclear bombing of Japan in the chapter on nuclear related strategies...???!!!!

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Good but very biased

This is great historical book but has the definite feel of "I love America , bearers of the undying torch of humanity " about it .

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really impressive. LOVED every chapter / lecture.

highly recommended for anyone who lives history, military history, strategy, and learning from the past. brilliantly researched and written. I LOVE this series of lectures.

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Very rewarding and informative.

I will certainly listen to this one again in the near future. A comprehensive account of the evolution of military thinking and strategy. If you wish to understand the subject more this is an excellent place to start.

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Struggled to apply it to my business

interesting notes upon history but just didn't get what I was looking for from it - listened to 2.5 hours then stopped there

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Even more relevant after the Russia war in Ukraine

I was not sure about this audiobook. how much I enjoyed this listen it's more than 5stars. I will be following up this course with another and I will be looking to find the author online with an eye to listen to more strategy with international relations that are so relevant today with the illegal invasion of Ukraine. the book was nearly a decade ago but it was clear how many strings the russians are pulling. Russia have made several tactical failures that have been present for any army hundreds of years ago.

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A masterclass on strategy.

A fantastic exploration of strategic writing through history and across domains. Professor Wilson blends expert knowledge with an engaging delivery. A must for history buffs and military professionals alike.

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