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Book Review: The Dark Path: The Structure of War and the Rise of the West
John A. Nagl
Author: Williamson Murray
Reviewed by: Dr. John A. Nagl, General John J. Pershing Professor of Warfighting Studies, US Army War College
The Dark Path covers five decades of Western expansion as the author explores aspects of military organizations throughout history, focusing on the five Military-Social Revolutions. The reviewer believes this book “synthesizes [the author’s] career in an important and accessible package well worth the time for readers of this journal.”
©2025 John A. Nagl
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Book Review: Facing the Victorious Turks: How the French Misread the Turkish War of Independence
Michael S. Neiberg
Author: Andrew Orr
Reviewed by: Dr. Michael S. Neiberg, chair of war studies, US Army War College
After World War I, French officials viewed the Middle East through a lens of Orientalism and imperial anxiety, leading them to misinterpret the rise of Turkish nationalism. In this gripping study, Andrew Orr reveals how flawed intelligence and racial biases shaped France’s response to Mustafa Kemal’s revolutionary movement. Facing the Victorious Turks offers a compelling reexamination of colonial misjudgment and its impact on the birth of modern Türkiye.
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Book Review: A Search for Strategy: British–American Military Collaboration in 1942
William Phillips
Author: John F. Shortal
Reviewed by: Reviewed by Colonel William Phillips, US Army retired, assistant professor, Department of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations, Command and General Staff College
John F. Shortal’s book explores the relationship between Britain and the United States as they worked together to develop strategy during World War II. He introduces key players of strategy development, as well as how priorities the different countries brought to the table affected outcomes of specific battles and the war as a whole. The reviewer sees this book as more than a record of history, but also a provider of relevant lessons for strategic leaders.
©2025 William Phillips
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Book Review: The Retreat from Strategy: Britain’s Dangerous Confusion of Interests with Values
James D. Scudieri
Authors: David Richards and Julian Lindley-French
Reviewed by: Dr. James D. Scudieri, senior research historian, US Army Heritage and Education Center, US Army War College
The Retreat from Strategy offers a detailed insight into the history of British strategy since the end of the Cold War. The authors dissect the issues they see in British strategy and offer specific solutions to the problems. The reviewer sees this as a timely read for US security professionals.
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