The Geographies of War – Fascinating Book.

Professor Jeremy Black has written a fascinating book on the geographies of war, a global history from antiquity to modern and contemporary conflicts. This is a book that will draw you in and makes you think at the same time. Black has brought to life the histories of inter-state war, geopolitical rivalry, 'hot' and 'cold' war and terrorism. Geography has always been a basic element in all stages of war including preparation, planning, onset of conflict, waging wars, assessment of results, post-conflict negotiations, analysis and preparation for future conflict.

Black examines how geography has always framed conflicts and that it is always part of war planning. That a grasp of the geography over the years helps leaders to understand the tactical needs, put in place the operation planning, any strategical planning along with the accompanying geopolitics. Without taking into consideration the geography will doom you to failure. Black argues that war is a spatial process, across territories whether on land, sea or in the air.

Over 15 chapters, Black has chapters making it easier to understand tactics, operations and strategy, so the reader can understand what happens before, during and after a conflict. He also discusses the impact of technology on conflicts and how it has changed over the periods. Tactics and technology do not remain the same and continue to change throughout different conflicts, and this is highlighted.

This is a ‘modern geography’ this is not just the physical geography but covers the social and political, economic, cultural and the most important, human. This book is aimed at the general history reader and not academics. This is book that is interesting, where there is something to learn on all pages, without the reader feeling stupid.

This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the history of conflicts. It is worth reading and having a copy on your bookshelf to refer too as and when needed. ( )