Well organized. This book hits all the key points in the evolution of ancient art of war. From the Babylon, to the Greek city-states, to Alexander the Great, to the Romans this book analyzes them all and shows how they are interconnected.

While it does sometimes seem to be a bit too strongly infused with the 'stiff-upper-lip', and trundles a little too steadily to its conclusion, it is a remarkably clear memoir of (then) Brigadier John Hackett's experience in hiding in occupied Holland while recuperating from severe injuries. Without ever becoming overly sentimental, he vividly describes the straightforward determination and sometimes astonishing bravery of the family who took him in, and the network of friends who helped them.

It does assume a certain amount of previous knowledge about the 1944-1945 campaigns in Holland, but if you watched Band of Brothers recently, you probably know enough to get by (and you'll have a different account of the rescue of the British forces after 'Market Garden' it portrayed).

Read it, and be reminded that WWII was something that happened to people who were just like us.

Though I first read this book some twenty years ago it has remained with me ever since as a warm and generous "settlement of account for services rendered" by a wounded escapee who was sheltered and helped to liberty, at great risk to themselves, by a large number of ordinary people. In this it has much in common with that other masterpiece of the genre, Eric Newby's "Love and War in the Apennines", having the same, understated, values of compassion, humour and decency. Hackett's account of his wounding and capture at Arnhem, and of the cheerful valour with which he and his companions faced an uncertain future, is somehow typical of the spirit of all involved in that ultimately failed, but always glorious, venture. His subsequent escape from hospital and the medical care lavished on him, under the most difficult circumstances while in hiding, by courageous Dutch patriots is both exciting and inspiring. Despite severe shortages of medical supplies the treatment Hackett received for a serious intestinal wound was enough to restore him to sufficient fitness to allow an eventual escape back to Allied lines. He paints a moving picture of normal people doing abnormal deeds at great risk to themselves and to those who know and love the best in Dutch society this will come as no surprise. My wife and I remembered this book when we later made a pilgrimage with our family to the Oosterbeek Cemetery and to the areas of combat in and around the town of Arnhem itself and it served as a heartening, and often amusing postscript, to the story of the battle. In short, a delightful and noble memoir of courage, generosity and indomitability - highly recommended.

John Hackett was rescued in more ways than one after the failure of an airborne assault on Arnhem in Holland in September 1944. He spent around four months in the care of the Dutch resistance recovering from his wounds and hiding from the German army. The Dutch people are shown to have remarkable qualities of resilience, friendliness and community and family. Hackett mentions how he chose to abort one escape attempt. If only the same decision making skills had been shown before "Market Garden"? Hackett also makes a brief mention of Montgomery, perhaps in reconciliation.

I read this book on the recommendation from a fellow officer in order to gain a better historical perspective of the military profession. This book develops the lineage from Armies of the ancient world to today's modern Armies in a rather concise and insightful manner. Sir John Hackett focuses a lot on the relationship between the military forces and the countries they represent on the battlefield. He also offers some interesting opinions about training future leaders in the Armed Services based on his vast military experience and career. I thoroughly enjoyed this book (it has many interesting photos and prints throughout the text), although it is written from a European (the author is British) perspective. The author does devote some time to the US Army, but his main focus is the European military system. Therefore, if you are looking for a book about how the American Army has changed over time, I do not recommend this one.

On the other hand, I do recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about how the profession of arms has developed over time. It would make a fine addition to your military history library if you have one, or serve as a great first addition, if you are thinking of starting one.

This is the follow up book written after "The Third World War". It has less combat action and more Geopolitics than the first book. Acctually, the book is about 95% politics.

Before you start reading it get out your best world map, as the author is constantly talking about important towns and cities that are so small most altas's don't show them, so you can never figure out exactly where the Russians are advanceing to and from.

If you are into politics of the cold war, this is the book for you, if you want action, don't waist your time.

General Sir John Hackett and his collaborators have attempted, back in 1978, to portray what a war between the Soviet Union and NATO might have looked like if it had taken place in August, 1985. They got a few prognostications right, such as the potential implosion of Yugoslavia; the technological superiority of the West, thanks to commercially competitive business working in concert with the military industrial complex; the lack of cohesion behind Soviet-communist ideals and aggression at the popular level in Warsaw Pact countries; and the strategic importance, but relative weakness of the Middle Eastern powers.

The storyline is interesting enough, especially to the modern reader who knows that none of this actually happened, nor is likely to at this point. However, much of the telling of the story is fraught with repetition, especially for points of politico-military pertinence at the time of its writing. In addition, it doesn't make for a very entertaining read, despite its attempt to enthrall the reader with stark possiblities.

Perhaps Tom Clancy has spoiled us, but I tried to take the book for what it was when written--a prophecy. I guess the transparent political aim of the book (to scare NATO into serious revisions of its defense doctrines in place at the time of writing) overtook its value as a work of literature.

Probably this one is for the military historian more than the student of modern global relations.