Descrição

This book is addressed directly to the layman. That fact
should need no justification, yet it is unfortunately true that the study of war is of all human pursuits the one which laymen have most generally abandoned to professionals. The idea per- sists that strategy can be comprehensible only to people who wear uniforms. Yet for better or for worse, the layman plays a great part in determining the military strategy of a nation. In a demo- cracy during wartime he rightly insists on speaking his mind, and he probably underestimates the degree to which military and political leaders respond to his demands. His very optimism or despondency creates situations which the authorities cannot afford to ignore. Prior to the outbreak of war he elects to office politicians whose policies may either further or hopelessly com- promise the country’s security, or at least greatly affect the price of victory.