Why did Napoleon succeed in 1805 but fail in 1812? Could the European half of World War II have been ended in 1944? These are only two of the many questions that form the subject-matter of this meticulously researched, lively book. Drawing on a very wide range of sources, van Creveld examines the specifics of war: namely, those formidable problems of movement and supply, transportation and administration, so often mentioned - but rarely explored - by the vast majority of books on military history. In doing so he casts his net far and wide, from Gustavus Adolphus to Rommel, from Marlborough to Patton, subjecting the operations of each to a thorough analysis from an unusual point of view. In this edition with a new introduction, van Creveld revisits his now-classic text, and comments in a new afterword on the role of logistics in high-tech, modern warfare.

‘Military buffs, even those who disagree with the author's conclusions, will find this an original and stimulating work.’

Source: Business Week

‘I recommend this work for every professional army officer, but particularly those in the operational field who are used to moving units with the stroke of a grease pencil.’

Major Michael D. Krause - Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

‘Impeccable scholarship and major new interpretations characterize this work destined to become a classic in military history.’

Source: Technology and Culture

‘This slim volume, unique of its kind, not only iterates the value of the study of logistics to the understanding of any war, any campaign, or any battle, but presents significant historical reinterpretations and revisions on practically every page.’

Source: The American Historical Review

'… interesting … makes a major contribution to the knowledge of a little researched aspect of warfare … the time span covered by the book from the Marlborough campaign to Patton's advance is undoubtedly a tour de force.'

Source: Open History