The New Makers of Modern Strategy

Main Themes and Topics

The New Makers of Modern Strategy by Hal Brands serves as an essential resource on military and political strategy, focusing on the individuals who have profoundly influenced the world's strategic landscape. This comprehensive volume offers a global perspective on strategic thought, examining both timeless principles and contemporary challenges in strategy-making. The book covers an impressive range of historical periods, from antiquity to the modern era, with particular emphasis on the Cold War and post-9/11 periods. By analyzing figures such as Thucydides, Sun Zi, Clausewitz, Napoleon, Churchill, Mao, and more recent actors like Xi Jinping and Qassem Soleimani, the book draws critical lessons applicable to today's world at a time of increasing global disorder.

The text delves deep into revolutionary changes in the field of strategy, encouraging readers to evaluate the enduring requirements for effective strategy and how they adapt in the face of modern challenges. Such an approach is invaluable for understanding the complexities of current geopolitical tensions and strategic decisions made by state leaders, military officials, and strategists across the globe.

Writing Style and Tone

The writing style in The New Makers of Modern Strategy is scholarly yet accessible, making it suitable for both academic audiences and general readers interested in strategic studies. The contributing authors, a notable assembly of world-class scholars, bring clarity and insight to complex topics. Each entry is meticulously researched and presented in a manner that balances detail with readability. The tone is authoritative, reflecting the contributors' expertise and the weight of the subjects discussed.

Brief Summary

The New Makers of Modern Strategy represents the evolution of a definitive work on strategy, updating previous editions with entirely new contributions that reflect the latest scholarly research and global perspectives. The book examines the evolution of strategic thought and the figures who have shaped military and political strategies over the centuries. It highlights both enduring themes and the transformative nature of strategic challenges in the modern world, particularly in the context of recent historical events like the Cold War and post-9/11 developments.

The book is organized into sections that cover different historical periods and thematic areas, providing a comprehensive view of the development and application of strategy throughout history. By focusing on a wide variety of influential strategists, the book offers a well-rounded understanding of how strategic thinking has molded the political and military landscapes worldwide.