Operations of War

Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons, 1907. The Operations of War explained and illustrated by Sir Edward Bruce Hamley K.C.B., K.C.M.G. A new edition brought up to the latest requirements by Colonel l. E. Kiggell Assistant Director of Staff Duties at Headquarters. Published by William Blackwood and Sons Edinburgh and London Mcmvii 1907, Sixth edition. The book is in a half leather binding, Red morocco spine and corners with red cloth boards, and red marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. xix[xx]425 pages. With 18 maps, some of which are folding. The maps described in the contents list as being in a pocket at the rear of the book are all bound into the book after the main text.All mps are present as called for.The book measures 7.5 x 10 inches. Externally the book is very good, all quite sound and solid, with a bit of fading to the cloth at the top margin of both front and rear boards. Inside, the inner hinges are also sound and solid with no spltting at the endpapers all complete throughout with all maps present as called for. There is some spotting to the early and final pages, and also occurring a bit here and there within the book and on some of the maps.There is a handwritten presentation inscription on the front fly leaf, dated 1907, from a tutor at eton to his student on leaving eton. A few maps have tears to folds from careless opening. Overall a nice solidly bound copy of this classic work on military strategy and theory. Hamley served with the british military as an artillery commander during the Crimean war. He also operated in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant-general. His book became standard reading and covers both strategy and tactics, accompanied by historical examples. Specific topics include: the modern conditions of war; considerations which must precede the opening of a campaign; the fronts of opposing armies and their respective lines of communication with their bases; the influence of obstacles; tactics. Lots of references to specific battles and conflicts eg. Why Jena was a more critical point than Naumburg for Napoleon.. Sixth Edition. Half Leather. Very Good/No Jacket.