A global account of military strategy, which examines the practices, rather than the theories, of the most significant military figures of the past 400 years

Strategy has existed as long as there has been organised conflict. In this new account, Jeremy Black explores the ever-changing relationship between purpose, force, implementation, and effectiveness in military strategy and its dramatic impact on the development of the global power system.

Taking a total view of strategy, Black looks at leading powersnotably the United States, China, Britain, and Russiain the wider context of their competition and their domestic and international strengths. Ranging from Frances ancien regime and Britains empire building to present-day conflicts in the Middle East, Black devotes particular attention to the strategic practice and decisions of the Kangxi Emperor, Clausewitz, Napoleon, and Hitler.