“Can you recommend a lesser-known book about combat tactics evolution that deserves more attention? What makes it unique and why should others read it?”
Here is what 6 thought leaders had to say.
Military Strategy Evolution From Machiavelli to Nuclear Age
“Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age,” edited by Peter Paret, explores the evolution of military strategy through history, associating tactical advancements with social, political, and technological changes. Its interdisciplinary approach contextualizes strategies within their historical moments, offering insights for contemporary businesses facing dynamic market conditions that require similar strategic adaptations.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
Jones Reveals Timeless Principles Across Western Warfare
I discovered “The Art of War in the Western World” by Archer Jones completely by accident about five years ago when I was browsing the military history section at my local library during a particularly boring weekend. The thick, intimidating spine caught my eye mainly because I was expecting another dry academic tome, but Jones completely surprised me with how readable and comprehensive his approach was. What makes this book special is that Jones traces the entire evolution of Western military tactics from ancient Greek phalanxes all the way through World War II, but he does it by focusing on the fundamental strategic principles that connect seemingly different eras. Watching him explain how Napoleon’s campaigns shared core tactical DNA with Roman legions, or how the machine gun forced the same kinds of tactical adaptations that crossbows did centuries earlier, was absolutely fascinating.
What really hooked me was Jones’s background as both a military historian and former Army officer – he brings this practical understanding to historical analysis that makes complex tactical concepts accessible without dumbing them down. The way he breaks down the logistics revolution and how supply lines shaped everything from Alexander’s conquests to Patton’s tank advances gave me a completely new appreciation for the unglamorous side of warfare that most military histories gloss over. I ended up buying my own copy and have probably recommended it to a dozen people since then. It’s not flashy or focused on famous battles, but it’s the kind of book that gives you a framework for understanding why military tactics evolved the way they did across thousands of years of human conflict.
Henry Timmes, CEO, Campaign Cleaner
German Stormtroop Tactics: Battlefield Innovation Lessons
One book I often recommend, though it rarely gets mainstream attention, is “Stormtroop Tactics: Innovation in the German Army, 1914-1918” by Bruce I. Gudmundsson. It’s an incredibly insightful deep dive into how the German military radically changed its battlefield approach during World War I, moving away from rigid, top-down strategies to more decentralized, flexible, and fast-moving small-unit tactics — what eventually became known as stormtrooper tactics.
What makes this book unique is that it doesn’t just focus on battles or leaders; it focuses on the evolution of thinking, learning, and adaptation under intense pressure. It breaks down how the German army systematically experimented, made mistakes, and rapidly applied frontline feedback to their tactics, which ultimately changed the face of modern infantry warfare.
I found it particularly valuable because it’s not just about military history — it’s a lesson in agility, innovation, and decentralization that’s incredibly relevant to leadership and business today. It challenges the idea that lasting change comes from grand plans at the top. Sometimes the most powerful transformations come from empowering those closest to the action to think, test, and adapt in real time.
For anyone who’s leading in fast-changing environments, managing growing teams, or building products in competitive markets, this book offers a surprising amount of wisdom about how to balance structure with flexibility, and how to lead when the battlefield — or the market — is constantly shifting. It’s not just a history lesson. It’s a manual for how to think in complex, high-stakes situations.
Keegan Examines War Through Soldiers’ Eyes
I’m not a military historian, but certainly a big reader. I’d like to recommend The Face of Battle by John Keegan, which I suppose might be the classic pick, but still under-read.
It’s not obscure per se, but Keegan’s The Face of Battle deserves far more attention outside of military history circles. What makes it unique is how it abandons the traditional “great man” narrative and instead analyzes what it was actually like to be a soldier on the ground at Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme. It’s a history of experience rather than strategy, and in doing so, it rewires how we think about leadership, morale, and tactics—not just in battle, but in business and life.
Phillip Mandel, CEO, Mandel Marketing
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On Infantry: Human Experience Shapes Combat Evolution
For a lesser-known book on combat tactics evolution, I highly recommend On Infantry by John A. English and Bruce I. Gudmundsson.
It’s not often mentioned in mainstream military history lists, but it’s one of the most precise and analytical breakdowns of how infantry tactics have evolved across different eras. What makes it unique is how it zeroes in on the human experience, how soldiers fight, move, and adapt, rather than just weapon systems or strategy from 30,000 feet.
I found it surprisingly applicable even outside of military contexts. It offers powerful lessons on adaptability, cohesion under stress, and decision-making in rapidly changing environments.
Marissa Sabrina, Creative Director, LeadLearnLeap
Military Adaptation Lessons From Counterinsurgency Warfare
A lesser-known book that deserves more attention is “Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife” by John A. Nagl. This insightful work explores the evolution of combat tactics through the lens of counterinsurgency warfare, drawing lessons from the Vietnam War to modern conflicts. What makes it unique is its focus on how military organizations adapt—or fail to adapt—to new forms of warfare, emphasizing the importance of organizational learning and cultural change. It challenges traditional tactical thinking by highlighting flexibility and innovation as key to success in asymmetric battles. For anyone interested in military history, strategy, or organizational dynamics, this book offers valuable perspectives on how combat tactics evolve in response to complex, modern challenges.
Amir Husen, Content Writer, SEO Specialist & Associate, ICS Legal