Synopses & Reviews
This short history is the first broad and selective survey of the phenomenon known as jointness--the co-operative operations of land and naval forces until the twentieth-century and of land, sea, and air forces since World War I. Touching on operational, doctrinal, and political dimensions, the survey ranges from the ancient Mediterranean to recent times while focusing on European and American experiences from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries, including Desert Storm. Illustrative cases and reference materials are attuned to the interests of scholars, defense analysts, and students of military affairs.
Jointness, subject of major concern to military historians, policymakers, politicians, and military professionals has in the past been covered within certain periods on a case by case or topical basis. This history begins instead with a broad survey from ancient to modern times and then focuses more closley on joint operations since World War I with wide-ranging examples to illustrate trends and patterns of Jointness. The survey closes with a discussion of the central problem of friction and other paradoxes connected with joint military operations. A selected bibliography provides an array of sources both for general readers and military professionals. Maps and appendices further enrich this important history.
Review
Joint Military Operations is a book that should be welcomed by the military professional, the policymaker, and the student of military affairs. Well researched and well written, this book illuminates. It does not speculate. What Beaumont has done is to tell his readers that joint operations are not new, nor are the problems associated with trying to achieve jointness. As such this book makes a serious contribution to the growing body of thoughtful literature on the topic.Parameters
Synopsis
This short history is the first to offer a broad and selective survey of the combined operations of land-and naval forces until recent times and especially of land, sea, and air forces since World War II.
Synopsis
This short history is the first to offer a broad and selective survey of the phenomenon known as "jointness"--the combined operations of land and naval forces until the twentieth century and especially of land, sea, and air forces since World War II. Touching on the operational, doctrinal, and political dimensions, the survey ranges from the ancient Mediterranean to recent times while focusing on European and American experiences from the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries, including Desert Storm. Wide-ranging cases illustrate trends and patterns of "jointness" and define the central problem of friction. The selective bibliography provides a wide array of sources. Maps and appendices further enrich this important history.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [203]-214) and index.
About the Author
ROGER A. BEAUMONT, Professor of History, Texas A&M University, has specialized in the study of command and control and of special operations and elite units.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Varieties of Jointness: From Ancient to Modern
Dark and Swift Narrows: World War I
Backwaters and Rivulets: Jointness Between the World Wars
The Cresting Torrent: Jointness in World War II
Fitful Ebb and Flow: Jointness from 1943 to 1991
Patterns and Paradoxes: The Central Problem of Friction
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Select Bibliography
Index