How Militaries Learn

Book excerpt: Most people measure military power with weapons, manpower, or resources, but How Militaries Learn shows that the key to success on the modern battlefield lies in the mind. Modern weapons and plentiful resources matter little if militaries cannot organize efficiently, exercise initiative, and take advantage of opportunities as they arise. How Militaries Learn examines 200 years of data from militaries around the world and arrives at a surprising conclusion: learning to think on the battlefield depends on a deep reservoir of human capital in society. Using case studies of France, Prussia, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, How Militaries Learn shows the different ways that militaries learn to think and succeed on the battlefield. Anyone who wants to understand military power should read How Militaries Learn.