"Edward Luttwak skilfully weaves together theory and historical experience to illuminate the nature of strategy. The result is perceptive work that reveals the complexity, the subtlety, or, as he would put it, the essentially paradoxical nature of strategy. The first part of his book explains the logic; the second part shows how it works at the various levels - from tactical to grand strategic - of war. Edward Luttwak's work is a major contribution to the understanding of strategy. The author's encyclopaedic yet discriminating knowledge of military science, military history, and international politics is impressive, insightful and informative, as well as captivating." -- SAF Professional Reading Programme, 3rd edition, Dec 2003.