Winning at War

Seven Keys to Military Victory throughout History

By (author) Christian P. Potholm

Publication date:

15 January 2010

Length of book:

304 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

240x162mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781442201309

What are the independent variables that determine success in war? Drawing on 40 years of studying and teaching war, political scientist Christian P. Potholm presents a 'template of Mars,' seven variables that have served as predictors of military success over time and across cultures. In Winning at War, Potholm explains these variables—technology, sustained ruthlessness, discipline, receptivity to innovation, protection of military capital from civilians and rulers, will, and the belief that there will always be another war—and provides case studies of their implementation, from ancient battles to today.

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Introduction: The Template of Mars
Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Superior Weapons and Technology Entrepreneurship
Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Superior Discipline
Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Sustained But Controlled Ruthlessness
Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Receptivity to Military and Integrative Innovation
Chapter 7 Chapter 6: The Ability and Willingness to Protect Capital from People and Rulers
Chapter 8 Chapter 7: The Centrality of Superior Will
Chapter 9 Chapter 8: The Belief There Will Always Be Another War
Chapter 10 Chapter 9: Applying the Template: A Battle
Chapter 11 Chapter 10: Applying the Template: A War
Chapter 12 Footnotes

Potholm provides case studies from ancient battles to today demonstrating the implementation of . . . seven factors for success.