How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost: From Ancient Greece to Iraq

In the annals of military history, there are countless tales of wars that were lost, battles that were fought in vain, and armies that were utterly defeated. But amidst the wreckage of these lost campaigns, there are also stories of extraordinary commanders who, against all odds, turned the tide of battle and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Savior Generals: How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq

by Victor Davis Hanson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7617 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
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In his captivating new book, How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost, acclaimed historian Edward Ruggero delves into these extraordinary tales. He takes us back to the ancient battlefields of Greece, where Miltiades led the Athenians to victory against the invading Persians at the Battle of Marathon. We witness the strategic brilliance of Hannibal as he outmaneuvered the Romans in the Second Punic War, and the indomitable spirit of George Washington as he rallied his troops to victory in the American Revolutionary War.

Ruggero also examines the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, where General David Petraeus and General Stanley McChrystal employed innovative counterinsurgency tactics to turn the tide of war. These five commanders, from different eras and different parts of the world, shared a common trait: they were all masters of the art of war, and they all possessed the ability to inspire their troops to greatness.

Chapter 1: Miltiades and the Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Marathon was a pivotal moment in the history of Greece. In 490 BC, a massive Persian army invaded Greece, intent on conquering the city-state of Athens. The Athenians were outnumbered and outmatched, and their defeat seemed inevitable.

But Miltiades, the Athenian general, had a plan. He knew that the Persians were heavily armored and that they would be at a disadvantage on the rough terrain of Marathon. So he decided to attack the Persians before they could deploy their full force.

The Athenians charged into battle with a fury, and they quickly overwhelmed the Persian flanks. The Persians were routed, and the Athenians won a decisive victory. The Battle of Marathon was a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars, and it marked the beginning of the end of the Persian Empire.

Chapter 2: Hannibal and the Second Punic War

Hannibal was one of the greatest military commanders in history. He was born in Carthage, a powerful city-state in North Africa. In 218 BC, Hannibal invaded Italy with a massive army, intent on conquering Rome.

The Romans were caught off guard by Hannibal's invasion, and they suffered a series of defeats. Hannibal was a brilliant tactician, and he used his superior cavalry to outmaneuver the Romans at every turn.

But the Romans were not about to give up. They rallied their forces and fought back against Hannibal. The war dragged on for years, and both sides suffered heavy losses. But in the end, the Romans prevailed.

Chapter 3: George Washington and the American Revolutionary War

George Washington was the first president of the United States, and he is also considered one of the greatest military commanders in American history. In 1775, the American colonies declared independence from Great Britain, and Washington was appointed commander of the Continental Army.

The Continental Army was outmatched by the British army in terms of training, experience, and equipment. But Washington was a skilled leader, and he was able to inspire his troops to fight for their independence.

The American Revolutionary War was a long and bloody conflict, but in the end, the Americans prevailed. Washington's leadership was a major factor in the American victory, and he is considered one of the most important figures in American history.

Chapter 4: General David Petraeus and the Iraq War

General David Petraeus is a retired U.S. Army general. He served as the commander of the Multi-National Force in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. When Petraeus took command, the Iraq War was in a state of chaos. The insurgency was gaining strength, and the Iraqi government was on the verge of collapse.

Petraeus implemented a new counterinsurgency strategy that focused on winning over the Iraqi people and isolating the insurgents. The strategy worked, and the violence in Iraq began to decline.

Petraeus's success in Iraq was due in part to his ability to adapt to the changing circumstances on the ground. He was also a master of public relations, and he was able to build support for the war both in the United States and in Iraq.

Chapter 5: General Stanley McChrystal and the War in Afghanistan

General Stanley McChrystal is a retired U.S. Army general. He served as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. When McChrystal took command, the war in Afghanistan was in a state of stalemate. The Taliban was gaining strength, and the Afghan government was struggling to maintain control.

McChrystal implemented a new counterinsurgency strategy that focused on protecting the Afghan people and building up the Afghan government. The strategy worked, and the violence in Afghanistan began to decline.

McChrystal's success in Afghanistan was due in part to his ability to build relationships with the Afghan people and the Afghan government. He was also a master of counterinsurgency warfare, and he was able to adapt to the changing circumstances on the ground.

The five commanders profiled in this book are all masters of the art of war. They possessed the strategic brilliance, indomitable spirit, and ability to inspire their troops to greatness. They turned the tide of seemingly lost wars and played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history.

The stories of these five commanders are a testament to the power of human resilience and the importance of leadership. They are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. With courage, determination, and a willingness to adapt, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our goals.

The Savior Generals: How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq

by Victor Davis Hanson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7617 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE