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Race to the Swift: Thoughts on Twenty-First Century Warfare
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.02
EAN: 9781857531350
Edition: Revised
ISBN: 1857531353
Label: B.T. Batsford
Manufacturer: B.T. Batsford
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 376
Publication Date: 1985-10
Publisher: B.T. Batsford
Studio: B.T. Batsford
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Classic of lasting value, early focus on C4I, rotary, OoA Op
This is one of the essential "middle ground" books in my lecture of core readings about strategy and force structure (see my list).
Brigadier Simpkin was one of the first, and is still among the best, to focus on the role that both C4I (command, control, communications, and intelligence) as well as rotary wing capabilities (including vertical short take off and landing) would play in placing eyes on target, boots on the ground, and in strategic, operational, and tactical mobility.
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Rating: - Powerful, forward thinking military theory
"Race to the Swift" is a sweeping review of military strategy, organization and logistics that has suffered little for being 15 years old. Yes, the NATO references are dated, but they in no way impact a core thesis that is even today ahead of its time. That said, this not an easy book to read; in spite of Simpkin's rather engaging, almost conversational writing style, the material is technical and dense. Moreover, given the comprehensiveness of the work, the reader will sometimes find himself or ... Read More
Rating: - Finally Back in Print
Not for your average Joe, but Simpkin's thesis should not be lost on anyone: swiftness. Since first published, the world has witnessed numerous conflicts which either could have been avoided, concluded earlier, or fought more decisively if effective forces could have been deployed much faster. It is incredibly pertinent in the emerging era of the asymetrical approach, where threats emerging faster and in a wide variety of terrain. (We can't expect future adversaries to give us months to build up ... Read More
Rating: - The sharp edge of the cutting edge
Brigadier Simpkin in this work takes us to the cutting edge of battle asking for 3-D maneuver-capable "airmechanized" forces. These are forces that would have a combination flying aircraft and armored tank. This is still way ahead of its time as we are still struggling to get fixed and rotary-wing aircraft together with light tracked Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) as the new book Air-Mech-Strike:3-Dimensional Phalanx by Dave Grange's group quotes Simpkin heavily. Simpkin is right though, ... Read More
Rating: - Serious Thinking for the Serious Professional
First published in 1985, Brigadier Simpkin's book has a forward from General Donn Starry and another from MajGen Perry Smith, USAF (Ret.) and one of our best strategic thinkers. It is the best book I have found to date with which to begin any discussion about the future of warfare. This was the book that inspired my conceptualization of the four warrior classes and also deepened my understanding of the relationships between mobility, accuracy, intelligence, tempo, mass, politics, and cost.
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