A classic of military thought that merits a place alongside the works of Clausewitz and Sun Tzu, Battle Studies was first published in Paris ten years after the death of its author, French army officer Charles Ardant du Picq (1821–1870). Updated to provide a more complete and accurate biographical and historical framework for understanding its meaning and import, this edition—deftly translated, introduced, and annotated by noted military historian Roger Spiller—offers a new generation of readers the benefit of Ardant du Picq’s unique insight into the nature of warfare.Nothing, Ardant du Picq asserts, can be prescribed wisely in an army “without an exact understanding of its ultimate instrument, man, and his morale at the defining instant of combat.” Accordingly, Battle Studies, the first systematic exploration of human behavior in the extremities of combat, focuses squarely on the tactical realm its author knew so well. Eschewing grand military theories and strategies, Ardant du Picq draws on his real-world experience, especially during the Crimean War and the Siege of Sebastopol where he was captured, to examine what motivates a soldier to fight, what creates cohesion or disorder, what gives a commander tactical control, and what makes reason give way to instinct: in short, “the essence of the science of combat.”

"Battle Studies: Ancient and Modern Battle" is a seminal military history book written by Charles Ardant du Picq, a colonel in the French Army who was killed in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. The book is divided into two main parts. In the first part, Ardant du Picq discusses the psychological and emotional aspects of warfare, such as courage, fear, and morale. The second part of the book examines the tactics and organization of ancient armies, with a focus on the Roman legions. Ardant du Picq draws on his extensive knowledge of ancient history to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different types of units, such as infantry and cavalry, and to offer insights into the tactics and strategies that were most effective in ancient warfare. The final section of the book focuses on modern warfare and the challenges faced by modern armies. Moreover, "Battle Studies: Ancient and Modern Battle" is a highly influential work that offers valuable insights into the nature of warfare and the factors that contribute to success or failure in battle.

A classic of military thought that merits a place alongside the works of Clausewitz and Sun Tzu, Battle Studies was first published in Paris ten years after the death of its author, French army officer Charles Ardant du Picq (1821–1870). Updated to provide a more complete and accurate biographical and historical framework for understanding its meaning and import, this edition—deftly translated, introduced, and annotated by noted military historian Roger Spiller—offers a new generation of readers the benefit of Ardant du Picq’s unique insight into the nature of warfare.Nothing, Ardant du Picq asserts, can be prescribed wisely in an army “without an exact understanding of its ultimate instrument, man, and his morale at the defining instant of combat.” Accordingly, Battle Studies, the first systematic exploration of human behavior in the extremities of combat, focuses squarely on the tactical realm its author knew so well. Eschewing grand military theories and strategies, Ardant du Picq draws on his real-world experience, especially during the Crimean War and the Siege of Sebastopol where he was captured, to examine what motivates a soldier to fight, what creates cohesion or disorder, what gives a commander tactical control, and what makes reason give way to instinct: in short, “the essence of the science of combat.”

"Battle Studies: Ancient and Modern Battle" is a seminal military history book written by Charles Ardant du Picq, a colonel in the French Army who was killed in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. The book is divided into two main parts. In the first part, Ardant du Picq discusses the psychological and emotional aspects of warfare, such as courage, fear, and morale. The second part of the book examines the tactics and organization of ancient armies, with a focus on the Roman legions. Ardant du Picq draws on his extensive knowledge of ancient history to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different types of units, such as infantry and cavalry, and to offer insights into the tactics and strategies that were most effective in ancient warfare. The final section of the book focuses on modern warfare and the challenges faced by modern armies. Moreover, "Battle Studies: Ancient and Modern Battle" is a highly influential work that offers valuable insights into the nature of warfare and the factors that contribute to success or failure in battle.