Recent Publications - Tag Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Book Review: The Clausewitz Myth: Or the Emperor’s New Clothes
January 12, 2026 — Azar Gat, the author of The Clausewitz Myth, takes a closer look at Carl von Clausewitz’s On War and argues through looking at historical documents and unpublished versions of the text that there have been misinterpretations of his thoughts. The reviewer believes Gat’s assertions are not earth-shattering but still notes “engaging with [Clausewitz’s] thoughts through the lens of Gat is a valuable experience for readers.”... MORE

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Book Review: The Retreat from Strategy: Britain’s Dangerous Confusion of Interests with Values
January 12, 2026 — The Retreat from Strategy offers a detailed insight into the history of British strategy since the end of the Cold War. The authors dissect the issues they see in British strategy and offer specific solutions to the problems. The reviewer sees this as a timely read for US security professionals. ... MORE

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Book Review: Sun Tzu in Space: What International Relations, History, and Science Fiction Teach Us About Our Future
January 12, 2026 — Sun Tzu in Space combines an examination of history and science fiction to assess what humanity’s future in space could look like through an international relations lens. The reviewer sees it as “a pulse check on the potential for violent future conflicts” and recommends it for policymakers and science fiction enthusiasts alike. ... MORE

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Book Review: Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War
January 12, 2026 — Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War by Ben Connable dismantles popular assumptions about the future of warfare by grounding its analysis in over 400 real-world battles. Rather than relying on hype around technology and precision, Connable reveals the enduring, gritty realities of land combat. This thought-provoking study challenges military planners and strategists to rethink how wars are truly fought—and won... MORE

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Book Review: Arms Control at a Crossroads: Renewal or Demise?
January 12, 2026 — Arms Control at a Crossroads is a timely examination of arms control in a changing and complex strategic environment. The essays collected cover the broad context of arms control, specific examples of nuclear powers, and a review of arms control domains. The reviewer sees this book as “a useful addition to the library of any specialists in the field.”... MORE

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Book Review: Disputed Decisions of World War II: Decision Science and Game Theory Perspectives
December 18, 2025 — In this innovative analysis of World War II, Thompson applies decision science and game theory to reexamine some of the conflict’s most controversial strategic choices. By modeling the logic behind pivotal decisions, he challenges conventional narratives and reveals the complexity of wartime leadership. This book offers a fresh lens for historians, strategists, and analysts seeking deeper insight into the calculus of war... MORE

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Book Review: Men of God, Men of War: Military Chaplains as Ministers, Warriors, and Prisoners
December 18, 2025 — Robert C. Doyle offers a sweeping historical study of chaplains in American wars, revealing how faith and duty intersected on battlefields and in prison camps... MORE

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Book Review: Code Name Puritan: Norman Holmes Pearson at the Nexus of Poetry, Espionage, and American Power
December 18, 2025 — In this riveting biography, Greg Barnhisel uncovers the extraordinary life of Norman Holmes Pearson—a Yale professor, literary tastemaker, and covert intelligence officer. Seamlessly blending poetry, espionage, and Cold War politics, Code Name Puritan reveals how Pearson helped shape both American cultural identity and national security strategy. From championing modernist women poets to dismantling Nazi spy networks, Pearson’s story is a fascinating portrait of influence at the intersection of intellect and power... MORE

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Book Review: Pivotal Poland: Europe’s Rising Power
December 18, 2025 — In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has emerged as the strategic anchor of NATO’s eastern flank, reshaping the continent’s security landscape. Janusz Bugajski explores how Warsaw’s military modernization, economic resilience, and assertive diplomacy have positioned it as a rising power capable of countering Russian imperialism and leading regional defense efforts. This timely and incisive book reveals Poland’s transformation from a peripheral actor to a pivotal force in Europe’s evolving geopolitical order... MORE

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Book Review: Sir Basil Liddell Hart: Life, Thought, Legacy
December 18, 2025 — Bruce Oliver Newsome’s book examines the life of Sir Basil Liddell Hart, and his claim to have invented the Blitzkrieg style of war used by the Germans during World War II. Newsome provides evidence that disputes this claim, which the reviewer commends for its thoroughness and nuanced point of view... MORE

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Book Review: Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present
September 22, 2025 — Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present explores revolutions from the seventeenth century to today. Part I offers historical case studies of revolutions, including socioeconomic, political, and technological examples. Part II discusses current economic, technological, identity, and geopolitical revolutions and their implications—like the ways technology improves life but at the price of depersonalization and digital addiction for some. The reviewer recommends this book for lovers of international relations, history, philosophy, and strategic studies and notes, “Military and intelligence officials and policymakers will benefit from reading the book as they place nation-impacting decisions into context.”... MORE

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Book Review: America’s Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan
September 22, 2025 — In America’s Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan written by James Graham Wilson and reviewed by Rev. Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, readers follow the life of Paul Nitze. As a businessman and government official, Nitze lived a life of service, holding positions as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, and Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. State Department. He also helped craft America’s Cold War policy. “Nitze’s life is more than an interesting story,” the reviewer notes, “it suggests the way forward for aspiring senior leaders.”... MORE

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