The Lessons of Modern War: The Iran-Iraq War

Rating:
Summary: War taken to pieces.
Review: This book is the second of a series of 4 books chronicling modern conflict.

Vol 1. The Arab Israeli Conflicts 1973-1989. Vol 2. The Iran-Iraq war. Vol 3. The Falklands and Afghanistan. Vol 4. The Gulf war.

These books provide an in depth analysis of the various forces engaged in the conflicts and the losses sustained by both sides. The authors have studied the weapons systems employed and the tactics used, and from these have drawn their conclusions on what was the route cause of success or failure in these modern military conflicts.

The authors conclusions are hardly mind shattering but they are sensible. Based on what happened and without an agenda.

Aside from errors concerning the Blowpipe missile (which manages to make an appearance in nearly all the wars) and its vulnerability to flares, (it isn't vulnerable at all) and the failure of this type of missile against crossing targets. (The operator's not the system itself) The books are quite accurate and thoroughly researched.

These series of books are a valuable tool for any student of modern conflict.

Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive look at the longest war of the 20th century.
Review: This is THE book to get for a nuts & bolts look at warfare. An exhaustive study of weaponry, tactics, leadership, systems effectiveness, and combined arm tactics. I highly recommended this book to any diehard milatary history student.