Small Wars Manual

Written in 1940, the U.S.Marine Corps' "Small Wars Manual" is both an important historical document and a valuable addition to a contemporary military science library. Historically, this document is built from the collective lessons of many of the smaller and lesser known conflicts between WWI and WWII, mostly in Latin America. It provides clear descriptions of approaches and processes that the Marine Corps (in 1940) believed were effective in these stability, counter-insurgency, and other operations in areas that had surreal politics (see Stupid Wars: A Citizen's Guide to Botched Putsches, Failed Coups, Inane Invasions, and Ridiculous Revolutions for examples of politics and conflict in Latin America in that period). This book provides valuable context for serious research in this period and region. As to the contemporary relevance, the book begins with a broad but useful definition - "The term 'Small War' is often a vague name for any one of a great variety of military operations... small wars are operations undertaken under executive authority, wherein military force is combined with diplomatic pressure in the internal or external affairs of another state whose government is unstable, inadequate, or unsatisfactory for the preservation of life and of such interests as are determined by the foreign policy of our Nation." And contemporary operations and conflicts certainly fall into this realm. Allowing that some material seems dated, like the use of horses and mules (just like in Afghanistan in 2001...) and the absense of electronic gadgets (just like when units are low on batteries...), and the discussion of local boats (like the ones used on the Tigris and Euphrates, there is a lot of thought provoking discussion and relevant insights on building nations out of fragile and failed states and working in the interest of a foreign population that might not hold you in high regard. Discussions of how to hold elections, how to build a local constabulary, how to establish an uncorrupt (or at least less corrupt) government, etc are excellent additions to current discussions on the same topics, offering historical perspective on what has worked elsewhere and how the U.S. has operated elsewhere. Not much would in this book would stand on it's own, either due to technological changes, cultural differences in the current areas of operations, or political sensitivies in an media saturated global environment, but every section of this book would be worth looking at in relation to the contemporary environment. A great little book for anyone involved with military operations other than conventional war, or interested in the interwar period or Latin American history. E. M. Van Court

Fascinating book, well written, thoughtful field manual relevant to the history of this type of conflict. Good historical introduction. I am thankful for its preservation. Pavillion Press edition is the most poorly bound book I have ever bought. I thought Gutenburg figured out how to do that job correctly. Treat it gently as it falls apart in your hands due to poor binding and construction. Don't even think about opening it flat. Consider it more as a looseleaf photocopy of a lost text. Such poor presentation detracts from an otherwise very worthwhile effort.

Despite being over sixty years old, the 1940 edition of the USMC's Small Wars Manual remains one of the cornerstone documents for fighting counter-insurgency warfare. Written in a direct style that is absent from today's military documents, the small wars manual covers the art of fighting limited wars from A-Z, to include ambushes, running elections, disarming the population, and dealing with locals. This book is widely used, often imitated, but never beaten. Far from a historical document, the Small Wars Manual remains vital today.

Between the two world wars the United States sent its military forces to numerous small countries to bolster the US diplomatic efforts. The countries so 'invaded' included virtually every Latin American country and countries as far away as China and the Philippines. In order to have their forces operate, the United States military has to have manuals that define what the forces are going to do. 'Small Wars' are defined in several ways but which do not involve a major effort in regular warfare against a first-rate power. The final manual on the subject was published in 1940, before the concept of small wars was erased by bigger events. After World War II, the manual was not re-written but was reprinted from time to time with the admonition that it should be considered in relation to the time in which it was written. Now re-published again, the book has been sent to Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries where 'Small Wars' are being fought. It covers every aspect from Strategy to Logistics, from Transportation to small unit tactics. Within the range of subjects covered is Air Trasportation, remember that this was written in 1940. But it also tells you how to load a Browning .30 water cooled machine gun on a pack mule. This book is obviously not a direct report on what is going on around the world, but it is surprising that so much of the information given here is directly applicable.