Military Geography: For Professionals and the Public

by John M. Collins

Overview

This book covers many topics that are crucial to military planning but often receive only passing mention in histories or briefings. Collins, a former Army officer, stresses land geography, but he does not stint oceans, the atmosphere, or interplanetary space. His discussions of urban areas are too brief, given the increasing amount of large-scale violence in cities since the end of World War II.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781574881806
Publisher:	Potomac Books
Publication date:	08/01/1998
Series:	Association of the U. S. Army Book Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	462
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.02(d)

About the Author

John M. Collins is a retired U.S. Army colonel and a distinguished visiting research fellow at the National Defense University. Collins culminated his military career as the director of military strategy studies and then as chief of the Strategic Research Group at the National War College. He was subsequently the senior specialist in national defense at the Congressional Research Service for twenty-four years. Collins has written twelve books and numerous monographs, including Strategy: Principles, Practices, and Historical Perspectives. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

"This effort to reduce the widespread American ignorance concerning geography--and particularly military geography--is admirable and welcome. Any failure to either exploit geographic advantages or compensate for geographic disadvantages means simply rolling the dice with destiny."

"John Collins, who has spent his lifetime studying the military, has written a geography book that will become a bible for military planners, strategists, and tacticians."

"This book is a must read for those who aspire to military command and those who seek to understand success and failure in war."

"A thorough understanding of military geography is essential for true military professionals if they are to excel at the art and science of war. Every warrior should read, reread, and above all understand this landmark book on a long-neglected topic."

"The author brings a unique contribution of scholarship and real world experience to this superbly crafted, comprehensive work on military geography. Whether on foot, afloat, or at 30,000 feet above the surface, the bok brings operational relevance to all the interactions."

"John Collins has been there, done it, and written the book. This is military geography by a well-versed practitioner. My students will now have the book they crave, one that military as well as civilian scholars everywhere can respect and trust."

"Required reading for policy makers, military planners, commanders and staff officers of all levels."

From the Publisher

Presents a comprehensive treatment of military geography for general readers as well as those in the military. Considers military operations in every geographical environment, while taking into account changing tactics and technologies at every level, with sections on physical geography, cultural geography, political-military geography, and area analysis. Includes many b&w maps, diagrams, photos, and tables. Originally published by Defense University Press, Washington, DC, 1998. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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