Intelligence in war : knowledge of the enemy from Napoleon to Al-Qaeda

'No war can be conducted successfully without early and good intelligence,' wrote Marlborough, and from the earliest times commanders have sought knowledge of the enemy, his strengths and weaknesses, his dispositions and intentions. But how much effect, in the 'real time' of a battle or a campaign, can this knowledge have? In this magisterial new study, which will fascinate readers of both military and more general history, the author of "A History of Warfare" goes to the heart of a series of important conflicts to develop a powerful argument about intelligence in war. From the Napoleonic Wars to the sophisticated electronic warfare of the 21st century, John Keegan finds linking themes which lead to a compelling conclusion. His narrative sweep is enthralling, whether portraying the dilemmas of Nelson seeking Napoleon's fleet, Stonewall Jackson in the American Civil War, Bletchley as it seeks to crack Ultra during the Battle of the Atlantic, or the polymorphous intelligence issues of the contemporary flight against terrorism.Review"Likely to jar the conventional wisdom. . . . Keegan is always a pleasure to read for his wit, insight and style." -"The New York Times Book Review "Bracing, meticulous case studies [by] our greatest modern military historian." -"Newsweek "Keegan is a . . . treasure. . . . His analysis is as sharp as ever, and it's all written with his characteristic flair." -"The Christian Science Monitor "Thought-provoking. . . . Keegan's book is a wise corrective, assessing just how useful intelligence has been in battle." -"The Dallas Morning News In fiction, the spy is a glamorous figure whose secrets make or break peace, but, historically, has intelligence really been a vital step to military victories? In this breakthrough study, the preeminent war historian John Keegan goes to the heart of a series of important conflicts to develop a powerful argument about military intelligence. In his characteristically wry and perceptive prose, Keegan offers us nothing short of a new history of war through the prism of intelligence. He brings to life the split-second decisions that went into waging war before the benefit of aerial surveillance and electronic communications. The English admiral Horatio Nelson was hot on the heels of Napoleon's fleet in the Mediterranean and never knew it, while Stonewall Jackson was able to compensate for the Confederacy's disadvantage in firearms and manpower with detailed maps of the Appalachians. In the past century, espionage and decryption have changed the face of battle: the Japanese surprise attack at the Battle of the Midway was thwarted by an early warning. Timely information, however, is only the beginning of the surprising and disturbing aspects of decisions that are made in war, where brute force is often more critical.Intelligence in War is a thought-provoking work that ranks among John Keegan's finest achievements.From the Hardcover edition. In fiction, the spy is a glamorous figure whose secrets make or break peace, but, historically, has intelligence really been a vital step to military victories? In this breakthrough study, the preeminent war historian John Keegan goes to the heart of a series of important conflicts to develop a powerful argument about military intelligence. In his characteristically wry and perceptive prose, Keegan offers us nothing short of a new history of war through the prism of intelligence. He brings to life the split-second decisions that went into waging war before the benefit of aerial surveillance and electronic communications. The English admiral Horatio Nelson was hot on the heels of Napoleon’s fleet in the Mediterranean and never knew it, while Stonewall Jackson was able to compensate for the Confederacy’s disadvantage in firearms and manpower with detailed maps of the Appalachians. In the past century, espionage and decryption have changed the face of battle: the Japanese surprise attack at the Battle of the Midway was thwarted by an early warning. Timely information, however, is only the beginning of the surprising and disturbing aspects of decisions that are made in war, where brute force is often more critical. Intelligence in War is a thought-provoking work that ranks among John Keegan’s finest achievements. Examines A Series Of Historical Wartime Events To Delineate The Strategies And Outcomes Of Each While Linking The Function Of Their Intelligence Operations, Refuting Perceptions That Intelligence Superiority Is A Key To War Success. Knowledge Of The Enemy -- Chasing Napoleon -- Local Knowledge : Stonewall Jackson In The Shenandoah Valley -- Wireless Intelligence -- Crete : Foreknowledge No Help -- Midway : The Complete Intelligence Victory? -- Intelligence, One Factor Among Many : The Battle Of The Atlantic -- Human Intelligence And Secret Weapons -- Military Intelligence Since 1945 -- The Value Of Military Intelligence. John Keegan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 363-368) And Index. "In this magisterial new study, which will fascinate readers of both military and more general history, the author of A History of Warfare goes to the heart of a series of important conflicts to develop a powerful argument about intelligence in war. From the Napoleonic Wars to the sophisticated electronic warfare of the twenty-first century, John Keegan finds linking themes which lead to a compelling conclusion."--Jacket