David Galula’s seminal work, Counterinsurgency: Theory and Practice evolved directly from a thesis he had written while attending the U.S. Armed Forces Staff College in 1960. The thesis itself was the product of 15 years of deliberation on how to counter communist subversion and revolution. Today, Galula’s writings continue to be highly applicable and relevant to modern conflicts and theaters of war.
The product of years of extensive research made possible by exclusive access to Galula’s personal papers as well as first-hand accounts from colleagues, family members, and friends, this book traces Galula’s life from early childhood until death, describing his upbringing, education, and military career in the tumultuous historical context of his era. The author—a former counterinsurgency practitioner himself—pays particular attention to how the Chinese Revolution and the Algerian War affected Galula’s views, and identifies Galula’s mentors and the schools of thought within the French military that greatly influenced his writings.
A conclusion illuminates the contemporary and likely future validity of his works. In the epilogue, the author speaks to Galula’s influence over modern military thought and U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine. This book is essential reading for individuals with an interest in counterinsurgency, Galula’s writings, or Galula himself, such as military officers and civilian administrators undertaking counterinsurgency courses and training.
