Martin van Creveld traces the development of command from ancient Greece to Vietnam, treating historically the variety of problems involved in decision-making, communication, weaponry and logistics. The book demonstrates how command has worked in key battles -- including Napoleon's victory at Jena, Moltke's Koniggratz campaign, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, and U.S. actions in Vietnam -- and discusses the search for certainty in command -- certainty about the intentions of the enemy, the environment of battle, and the character of one's own forces.

Includes index.

Introduction : on command -- The stone age of command -- The revolution in strategy -- Railroads, rifles, and wires -- The timetable war -- Masters of mobile warfare -- The helicopter and the computer -- Conclusion : reflections on command.