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Maneuver Warfare Handbook
Maneuver warfare, often controversial and requiring operational and tactical innovation, poses perhaps the most important doctrinal questions currently facing the conventional military forces of the U.S. Its purpose is to defeat the enemy by disrupting the opponent's ability to react, rather than by physical destruction of forces. This book develops and explains the theory of maneuver warfare and offers specific tactical, operational, and organizational recommendations for improving ground combat forces. The authors translate concepts—too often vaguely stated by manuever warfare advocates—into concrete doctrine. Although the book uses the Marine Corps as a model, the concepts, tactics, and doctrine discussed apply to any ground combat force.
148 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 20, 2020
More relevant than ever now that the Cold War is over and most current and future warfare is low-tech and low-firepower, the rest of the world having drawn the reasonable conclusion that the American military is unbeatable at high-intensity high-tech war. Lind argued against the shaping of defense organization and strategy driven by the desire of defense contractors to sell complicated and expensive weapons and equipment, rather than by what best fits a situation. Currently we have a situation in which our troops are fighting against guerrilla insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, against enemies armed with small arms and IEDs, but our government is neglecting the basic body and vehicle armor and small arms they need while continuing to spend billions on nuclear submarines, stealth fighters, and so on.
I took courses from Lind at the Marine Corps University in Quantico in 1990 and 1991, while attending the USMC Command and Control Systems Course as an active-duty officer, and read this as the text in his "History of Military Reform" class. It's more relevant now than it was then. A very useful read for anyone who wants to gain a broader perspective on military policy.
NOTE - UPDATE IN OCTOBER 2020: Since I wrote this review, Lind has become prominent in right wing politics and has advocated for ideas that are anti-Semitic, racist, and theocratic. I emphatically disagree with these politics, despite the validity of his military theory.
I took courses from Lind at the Marine Corps University in Quantico in 1990 and 1991, while attending the USMC Command and Control Systems Course as an active-duty officer, and read this as the text in his "History of Military Reform" class. It's more relevant now than it was then. A very useful read for anyone who wants to gain a broader perspective on military policy.
NOTE - UPDATE IN OCTOBER 2020: Since I wrote this review, Lind has become prominent in right wing politics and has advocated for ideas that are anti-Semitic, racist, and theocratic. I emphatically disagree with these politics, despite the validity of his military theory.
June 10, 2017
Clear and concise explanation of core principles of maneuver warfare with an excellent annotated bibliography. I have not yet finished the academy lectures at the end of the book, but Lind's portions immediately suggested a number of ideas in my own field.
April 9, 2007
Lind was influenced by Col John Boyd and this is how I came to know this book. This is the classic understanding of Maneuver Warfare. I hope to have the time to learn more about this domain. Reading a terrain map, applying new theories, hours and hours of fun.
October 11, 2007
Very interesting stuff..., rather a dull read however... Once fully read and sunken in it offers a great deal of valuable information
December 5, 2014
Excellent intro to Maneuver warfare. The lecture scripts appended in the book makes the concepts easy to understand.
April 7, 2019
Good quick summary for the intermediate student. The tactical problems at the rear of the book are dry reading, but the lectures and main text are enjoyable.
December 6, 2019
Excellent book! Lind's ideas are very well packaged for a quick read. I wish I had read this sooner.
September 20, 2017
Külma sõja lõpul kirja pandud käsiraamat, mis lisaks manööversõja õpetamisele oli ka üleskutse reformideks USMC-s ja Armees laiemalt, seda just manöövrisõja poolelt. Selleks, et teosest maksimaalselt kasu saada, peab seda lugema mitu korda järjest, ise hoolega pidevalt märkmeid tehes. Raamat on küll lühike, aga kaanest kaaneni täis kasulikke teadmisi nii kaitseväelastele kui ka kaitseliitlastele, tegelikult kõigile.
January 31, 2021
Põhiline sõnum, tuleb järgida ülema käsus põhiülesannet, kõike muud võib vajadusel muuta või ära jätta.
Seletab lahti VOOT tsükli ehk OODA loop-i
Seletab lahti VOOT tsükli ehk OODA loop-i
April 14, 2022
Походная книга начинающих командиров, регулярной армии. Помимо теории интересные задачки и примеры прилагаются
October 20, 2023
One of the first pioneers of maneuver warfare. Focuses on the application of MW in a conventional sense. A must read after war fighting.
March 30, 2011
Decent introduction to the concepts of maneuver warfare. Includes a set of lectures that were given at the USMC AW school in addition to Lind's work.
February 14, 2014
This is a great primer on mission command and adaptive leader training.
September 7, 2014
Recommended.
Sheds light on need of d hr requirements in d organisation.
Amply clarifies some commonly used terms for d benefit of young warriors.
Sheds light on need of d hr requirements in d organisation.
Amply clarifies some commonly used terms for d benefit of young warriors.
February 2, 2015
Useful if you are at least squadleader, for average tommy its a little to complicated.
September 9, 2016
The foundation of our current maneuver doctrine, must read
June 10, 2016
Maybe the best handbook out there....
February 23, 2018
Great book
Great book for commanders at all level. Strongly Recommended to be read by all. A personal copy will assist in easy reference.
Great book for commanders at all level. Strongly Recommended to be read by all. A personal copy will assist in easy reference.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews