Summary of Lawrence Freedman's The Future of War

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Sample Book Insights:

#1 The Battle of Sedan, which marked the end of the French Republic, was a classic textbook military victory. The power balance of Europe was changed in a clash of arms, and France was defeated. The French government, however, refused to accept the verdict of battle and continued the fight.

#2 The Battle of Dorking, a short story written by Sir George Tomkyns Chesney, was published in May 1871. It caused a sensation, and demonstrated how England could be invaded and the collapse of its power and commerce in consequence.

#3 Chesney’s book was about how Britain was invaded by a foreign power, Germany, in the Crimean War. The Germans pounced when Britain’s guard was down, and the British fought valiantly, but they were overcome without decent intelligence, logistics, and leadership.

#4 The British were unprepared for the German attack, which caught them completely by surprise. The war just happened because of an aggressive and opportunistic enemy. Britain’s position in the international hierarchy was altered forever.