Generally, all great commanders all owe something to Gideon, victor over the Midianties about 1200 BC and to David, conqueror of Goliath, about 1000 BC. The circumstances of war may never be repeated. But the essence of major tactics has not changed as greatly as many theorists would have us believe. The methods of their applications may have altered, but this work traces a distinct line through history which shows, for instance, that the tactical principles of leadership used by Britain to the time of World War II can be traced back to those of the Romans; while those of the Germans have an equally close descent from the tactics of Alexander the Great. Studies cover figures such as Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Cromwell, Turenne, Marlborough, Clive, Washington, Napoleon, Wellington, Moltke, Rommel and Montgomery.
