New Books in Military History Jeremy Black, "Logistics: The Key to Victory" (Pen and Sword, 2021)
Nov 17, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Jeremy Black, a distinguished military historian and author, explores the often-overlooked role of logistics in warfare. He argues that logistics represents a historical adaptation shaped by numerous factors, such as geography and government policy. Black critiques existing models and highlights the logistical strengths of ancient Rome compared to other civilizations. He also delves into the challenges faced during the gunpowder era, contrasts Ottoman and Ming logistics, and discusses the impacts of political factors on supply chains today.
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Logistics Is Adaptive Not Linear
- Jeremy Black defines logistics as raising and maintaining supplies, linking environment, economy, government, and military tasking.
- He argues logistics adapts to fitness for purpose rather than following a teleological progress narrative.
Beware Narrow Foundations
- Black criticizes Martin Van Creveld's Supplying War for ignoring many regions and periods, making its evidence base weak.
- He stresses the need for global, comparative evidence in logistics history.
Roman Logistics: Roads Plus Sea Power
- Romans combined road building, stationed legions, and Mediterranean sea transport to create an effective supply network.
- That integration allowed sustained defense and movement of large grain and supplies across the empire.
