Insurgency Warfare: A Global History to the Present

This book provides a global history of insurgencies and counterinsurgency warfare, arguing that it is essential to ground experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq in a global framework. It traces the pre-modern origins of war and interweaves thematic and chronological narratives to explore the enduring linkages between beliefs, events, and people. Black highlights the widely differing military and political dimensions of each conflict and considers lessons learned by contemporaries, the ways in which norms developed within militaries and societies, and their impact on doctrine and policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 338 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This comprehensive and timely book delves into a comprehensive history of insurgencies and counterinsurgency warfare, challenging the traditional Western-centric narrative. By grounding experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq within a global framework, the author seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of these complex conflicts. Unlike other studies that begin with the American and French revolutions, this book traces the pre-modern origins of war, spanning centuries. Interweaving thematic and chronological narratives, the author explores the enduring linkages between beliefs, events, and people, while also examining the changes over time.

Black examines the profound evolution of politics, technologies, and ideologies, which have shaped both governmental and public perspectives. He highlights the diverse military and political dimensions of insurgencies across different regions, including China, Africa, and Latin America. The author critically assesses the lessons learned and asserted in both insurgency and counterinsurgency warfare, examining how contemporaries, military norms, and societal attitudes have influenced doctrine and policy.

This sweeping study of insurrectionary warfare and its counterinsurgency counterpart is an essential resource for students of military history. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of conflict, the strategies employed by both sides, and the broader social and political contexts that shape these conflicts. By expanding the lens beyond Western perspectives, the book contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the global history of insurgencies and counterinsurgency.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538179413
Edition number: Second Edition