Military Geography for Professionals and the Public
Washington DC: National Defense University Press, 1998. First Printing [Stated]. Trade paperback. xxiv, 437, [3] pages. Maps. Photographs. Tables. Figures. Acronyms and abbreviations. Glossary of Geographical Terms. A Basic Geographic Library. Index. This book covers many topics that are crucial to military planning but often receive only passing mention in histories or briefings. Collins, a former Army officer, stresses land geography, but he does not stint oceans, the atmosphere, or interplanetary space. Collins correctly emphasizes the importance of military geography as its own unique discipline that should be studied by all who practice warfighting from the tactical to the strategic levels. Indeed, the alternative is to simply learn from trial and error, or even worse, re-learn lessons already purchased at great cost by armies of the past. Media interest in the effects of new technology on "smart" weapon systems has been increasing. Military experts were quick to point out the improvements made on these systems based on lessons learned from Operation Desert Storm. Cruise missiles, for example, received guidance information from satellites instead of navigating from preprogrammed map information that reduced accuracy because of a lack of terrain features available in the open desert. Laser guided bombs were upgraded to permit attacks against targets in marginal weather and smoke laden areas. Physical and cultural factors and their effect on political-military policy and operations are just an example of what John Collins seeks to address in his study. The need for such a study cannot be over emphasized if military leaders and the public want to learn more about the effects of the physical and cultural environments on military operations. Military history is replete with military leaders who failed to properly appreciate military geography and its effects on military operations. Condition: Very good.
Keywords: Military Geography, Spatial Relationships, Land Forms, Marine Topography, Climatology, Meteorology, Flatlands, Mountainous Regions, Arid Regions, Military Space, Demography, Urbanization, Urban Combat, Nuclear Strategy, Urban Vulnerabilities, Lines o
ISBN: 0160494052
[Book #75171]
Price: $75.00