Description

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

‘A rigorous and thoughtful study of what has happened on battlefields over the past eight decades’ THE TIMES

‘A hugely important book … elegantly written and persuasively argued’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

** FULLY UPDATED TO INCLUDE NEW MATERIAL ON THE ISRAEL/GAZA CONFLICT **

Conflict is both a sweeping history of the evolution of warfare up to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and a penetrating analysis of what we must learn from the past, and anticipate in the future, in order to navigate an increasingly perilous world.

In this deep and incisive study, General David Petraeus, the former CIA director who commanded the US-led coalitions in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and the prize-winning historian Andrew Roberts, explore over seventy years of conflict, drawing significant lessons and insights from their fresh analysis of the past. Petraeus and Roberts show how often critical mistakes have been repeated time and again, and explore the challenge, for statesmen and generals alike, of learning to adapt to various new weapon systems, theories and strategies. Among the conflicts examined are the Arab – Israeli wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the two Gulf wars, the Balkan wars in the former Yugoslavia, and both the Soviet and Coalition wars in Afghanistan, as well as guerrilla conflicts in Africa and South America.

Conflict culminates with a bracing look at Putin’s disastrous invasion of Ukraine, yet another case study in the tragic results that occur when leaders refuse to learn from history, and an assessment of the nature of future warfare. Filled with sharp insight and the wisdom of experience, Conflict is not only a critical assessment of our recent past, but also an essential primer of modern warfare that provides crucial knowledge for waging battle today as well as for understanding what the decades ahead will bring.

Publisher Review

'A major book that will enlighten the layman and guide the statesman or geopolitical student' DR. HENRY KISSINGER, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor; Nobel Prize laureate 'Authoritative, compelling, highly readable. An exceptional book written by two absolute masters of their profession. Penetrating historical analysis, incisive operational and strategic judgements. It's an unbeatable combination. Erstwhile statesmen should not be allowed to take office until they pass a test on what this book contains!' GENERAL SIR DAVID RICHARDS GCB CBE DSO; former UK Chief of Defence Staff 'There is much to learn from this book. Not only will it be studied by military officers for generations to come, it will also be enjoyed by those who simply appreciate military history. I can't think of two people better qualified to identify the key lessons from conflict in the modern era - I just hope that our leadership will take the time to read this book and follow its advice' GENERAL SIR NICK CARTER GCB CBE DSO, former UK Chief of Defence Staff 'Splendidly researched and persuasive in applying history ' s truism that failure to learn from the past compels us to repeat mistakes, this is a clear-sighted assessment of war's future. Applying front-line military leadership and strong academic rigour, General Petraeus and Lord Roberts have crafted a most extraordinary book that bristles with lessons drawn skilfully from the past. Conflict provides the map and compass to guide us through a perilous future' GENERAL JAMES MATTIS, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.); former National Security Advisor