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."

"War is merely the continuation of politics by other means." - Clausewitz. Strategy Six Pack brings together six essential texts for military theorists: Machiavelli's The Prince The Art of War by Sun Tzu Battle Studies by Ardant du Picq Einhard's Life of Charlemagne Julius Caesar's The Gallic Wars On War by Carl von Clausewitz Centuries of tactical wisdom distilled into one awesome e-book. Military Science has never been more thoroughly represented in one single volume. "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." - Sun Tzu.

Centuries of tactical wisdom distilled into one awesome e-book. Military Science has never been more thoroughly represented in one single volume. Strategy Six Pack brings together six essential texts for military theorists: Machiavelli's The Prince, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Battle Studies by Ardant du Picq, Einhard's Life of Charlemagne, Julius Caesar's The Gallic Wars and On War by Carl von Clausewitz.

BATTLE STUDIES: ANCIENT AND MODERN BATTLE
By Colonel Ardant du Picq
Excerpt from Preface
In presenting to the American reading public a translation of a volume written by an obscure French colonel, belonging to a defeated army, who fell on the eve of a battle which not alone gave France over to the enemy but disclosed a leadership so inapt as to awaken the suspicion of treason, one is faced by the inevitable interrogation - "Why?"
Yet the answer is simple. The value of the book of Ardant du Picq lies precisely in the fact that it contains not alone the unmistakable forecast of the defeat, itself, but a luminous statement of those fundamental principles, the neglect of which led to Gravelotte and Sedan.
Napoleon has said that in war the moral element is to all others as three is to one. Moreover, as du Picq impressively demonstrates, while all other circumstances change with time, the human element remains the same, capable of just so much endurance, sacrifice, effort, and no more. Thus, from Caesar to Foch, the essential factor in war endures unmodified. . .
Contents
Frontispiece - Portrait of Colonel Ardant du Picq
Foreword
Preface
Translator's Note
Introduction
A Military Thinker
Record of Military Service of Colonel Ardant du Picq
Extract from the History of the 10th Infantry Regiment
PART ONE: ANCIENT BATTLE
Introduction
I. Man in Primitive and Ancient Combat
II. Knowledge of Man Made Roman Tactics; the Successes of Hannibal; Those of Caesar
III. Analysis of the Battle of Cannae
IV. Analysis of the Battle of Pharsalus and Some Characteristic Examples
V. Morale in Ancient Battle
VI. How Real Combatants Are Obtained and How the Fighting of To-Day Requires Them to Be More Dependable Than in Ancient Battle
VII. Purpose of This Study and What Is Necessary to Complete It
PART TWO: MODERN BATTLE
I. General Discussion
1. Ancient and Modern Battle
2. Moral Elements in Battle
3. Material and Moral Effect
4. The Theory of Strong Battalions
5. Combat Methods
II. Infantry
1. Masses - Deep Columns
2. Skirmishers - Supports - Reserves - Squares
3. Firing
4. Marches - Camps - Night Attacks
III. Cavalry
1. Cavalry and Modern Appliances
2. Cavalry Against Cavalry
3. Cavalry Against Infantry
4. Armor and Armament
IV. Artillery
V. Command, General Staff and Administration
VI. Social and Military Institutions; National Characteristics
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"At what instant has this control escaped from the battalion commander? When from the captain, the section leader, the squad leader? At what time, in short, if such a thing did take place, was there but a disordered impulse, whether to the front or to the rear carrying along pell-mell with it both the leaders and men?

"At what instant has this control escaped from the battalion commander? When from the captain, the section leader, the squad leader? At what time, in short, if such a thing did take place, was there but a disordered impulse, whether to the front or to the rear carrying along pell-mell with it both the leaders and men?

"At what instant has this control escaped from the battalion commander? When from the captain, the section leader, the squad leader? At what time, in short, if such a thing did take place, was there but a disordered impulse, whether to the front or to the rear carrying along pell-mell with it both the leaders and men?

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

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.�