How to Fight a War

Mike Martin has acquired a big Twitter following for his expert analysis of the Ukraine war. His fourth book will be a delight to those who are keen to see his analysis at a greater depth than 240 characters allow. The title is reminiscent of Sun Tzu, but Mike Martin’s How to Fight a War is more like a 21st century Machiavelli. Anyone who has read The Prince will have been stuck by what a straight-talking, practical guide it is to politics in 16th century Italy (when politics was not much more than warfare). Taking his lead from the florentine, Martin imagines you, his reader, as the leader of a modern nation-state, and tells you as straightforwardly as he can what you need to know about war, and how you should plan to win one, should it occur. After 80 years or relative world peace, this is a question we are all asking ourselves right now with increasing urgency. This book expertly scratches that itch, with the plain talking of a soldier mixed with the erudite range of a scholar. Martin is of course both, and also a budding politician (currently the Lib Dem candidate for Tumbridge Wells). So he understands warfare as both a technical act (what provisions does a soldier need? what tactics are best for destroying tanks?) and as a political art (he sums it up as a form of communication where the ultimate goal is to change the psychology of the opposing commander). Peppered with fascinating facts and examples from conflicts as far back as ancient Persia and as recent as last year’s invasion of Ukraine, How To Fight A War will tell you everything you need to know about warfare in this increasingly dangerous age.

This book is obviously not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But if you're interested in an overview of modern warfare, I'd recommend it - it's really good.It covers everything from the importance of strategic planning and logistics, to the purposes and compositions of a fighting force.The argument that the idea behind warfighting is all about psychology is really compelling - the aim of warfighting is not destruction for its own sake but rather as a means of compelling another to submit to your position. Negotiation, but when words have failed.For obvious reasons it's an important read given the state of the world right now, but it will only appeal to a certain group of people - this is certainly not one I'd recommend without question, but if you have any interest in this war business then give it a try - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This book absolutely clarifies what's going on in the Ukraine war and offers insights on today's politics and leadership.Read it.

An excellent and timely book, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This is an excellent primer for politicians and military leaders whose experience of military operations has been dominated by peace keeping, counter insurgency or counter terrorism. It could be argued that in terms of content it adds little new to the subject. But that misses the point, it is a well written, readable summary of “How to fight a war”. As such contributes greatly to the available literature, particularly as it is devoid of many of the acronyms and mil-speak that make some books on the subject unreadable to a wider audience. It is a little land centric in my personal opinion, but as in all things that is debatable. The author’s own military background seeps occasionally in to the text. “Bayonets” being a case in point, who else but a Brit. It is well worth a read.

I’m not from a military background and this might all be obvious to those who are. But this was a most enlightening book on war and more importantly the necessary preparations for war. Guides you, as a potential leader of a country, to what you need to consider, what you need to prepare for and the huge amount of resources and cost you need to reserve for any war, both offensive and defensive. The one takeout for me is the logistics, that is key to winning a war. Have good logistic plans and prioritise taking out your enemies logistic abilities. The first 3/4 of the book focuses on logistics, training, moral, types of armies, and types of warfare. Only in the last 1/4 does it cover the actual fight. If you got the first bit right the second seems is a lot easier. Well that is me now a military expert… Twitter here I come.

How does that saying go? "Amateurs talk strategy, professionals talk logistics." This chap really knows his stuff, and reading about the sheer scale of the logistics involved in fighting a war is mind-blowing. One artillery piece can use an entire shipping container of shells in one morning - imagine the supply lines in a war that goes on for months and years. And this book is not just about logistics - it's about everything involved in making war, from propaganda to chemical weapons, all dealt with coolly and dispassionately in terms of how effective they are in terms of achieving victory. Hence the comparison to Machiavelli - there is little handwringing or moralising here. He takes lots of examples from the current [at the time of writing] conflict in the Ukraine, and it is very clear he is not impressed by the performance of the Russian forces. No suprise to anyone who follows his podcasts, but then you would have to be a dedicated Putin fanboy to think the Russian efforts have been anything short of woeful. A great book, and for all the detail and depth, admirably lucid and easy to read.

If you are an incoming president or prime minister, you need to read this before your first day on the job. It will help you understand the basics should you, during your tenure of office, ever contemplate exercising military force. It will give you an idea of the right questions of your security advisors, defense chiefs and military brass. It will help you evaluate their opinions and, vitally, will help straighten out any misconceptions you have about the art of war. It's not overly long, is written in straightforward language, and you will be a better leader for having read it.At the time of writing this, the hard copy book is not published in the US, so I had it shipped over. And I'm glad I did. Highly recommended.

This book provides an essential foundation for understanding how to win a ear. If only a few people in Washington would read it!

This book tells you how much more the is to a war than just shooting at your enemy. War explained in simple words, while making clear its abundant complexity.

Mike uses very simple everyday language to illustrate complex warfare principles and strategy so everyday layman like me can understand.I can certainly relate to what he says from what I have been reading about the Russian aggression in Ukraine.I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in understanding why wars were fought in a certain way.

Outstanding. This book has a lot crammed into it but is so well written it flows. Very informative for the novice and will make arm chair generals think.

Good, quick read. Lays out fundamentals in am efficient and effective fashion. I definitely see this book as a solid read if you're not a member of the military and a good thing for junior members of the military to read.