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What Should the U.S. Army Learn From History? Recovery From a Strategy Deficit

Authored by Dr. Colin S. Gray.

Brief Synopsis

View the Executive Summary

Does history repeat itself? This monograph clearly answers “no,” firmly. However, it does not argue that an absence of repetition in the sense of analogy means that history can have no utility for the soldier today. This monograph argues for a “historical parallelism,” in place of shaky or false analogy. The past, even the distant and ancient past, provides evidence of the potency of lasting virtues of good conduct. This monograph concludes by offering four recommendations:

1. Behave prudently.

2. Remember the concept of the great stream of time.

3. Do not forget that war nearly always is a gamble.

4. War should only be waged with strategic sense.

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