In Pursuit of Military Excellence The Evolution of Operational Theory [Hardcover]

This book offers a scientific interpretation of the field of military knowledge situated between strategy and tactics, better known as operational art', and traces the evolution of operational awareness and its culmination in a full-fledged theory. The author, a Brigadier General (ret.) in the Israeli Defence Forces and Doctor of History, King's College, London, clarifies the substance of operational art' and constructs a cognitive framework for its critical analysis. He chronicles the stages in the evolution of operational theory from the emergence of 19th-century military thought to Blitzkrieg. For the first time the Soviet theories of Deep Operations' and Strike Manoeuvre' that emerged in the 1920s and 1930 are discussed. The author argues that it is these doctrines that eventually led to the crystallization of the American Airland Battle theory, successfully implemented in the Gulf War.certainly the most important work of military theory in recent years. foriegn Affairs Mar/Apr 1998



RUSI Journal - October 1998 - Reviewed By Lieutenant General Scott Grant

it is perhaps not surprising that Shimon Navez, in his book In Pursuit of Military Excellence, considers the evolution of the operational theory of warfare with such a rare combination of intellectual rigour and military expertise.

..he has, in my opinion, written an important book..

..quality of his analysis nor the deepth of his research..

Suffice to say that this is a very good book indeed: it should be required reading for every serious soldier.



Cambridge Review of International Affairs - Reviewed by Andrew Coller

Shimon Naveh s book is both readable and a valuable exposition of the Russian experience and thought which, even now, remains difficult for Western readers to access easily. It also provides clear insight into the mistakes of the past through a critique of commanders who lc-