On Flexibility: Recovery from Technological and Doctrinal Surprise on the Battlefield
"Originally published in Israel in 2007, this thoughtful work by Col. Finkel (IDF) looks at how modern military forces have coped with surprise in terms of innovative technologies, techniques, or tactics."—A. A. Nofi,StrategyPage.com"This book combines solid history and an innovative analytical structure. It begins to fill in a serious hole in our understanding of flexibility or what could better be called 'adaptation under fire.' It is strongly recommended for senior military leaders and students of military innovation and force planning. In the future, surprise will continue to characterize the character of modern warfare, and the need to be flexible will be at a premium.On Flexibilityprovides great insights on flexibility and will prove to be an enduring contribution to our understanding of military history and to enhancing our ability to adapt when we hopefully do not get things too terribly wrong."—Frank Hoffman,Journal of Military History"A highly original work, dealing with an important and little-explored subject."—Martin van Creveld, author ofLand of Blood and Honey; The Rise of Modern Israel"This is an outstanding work. Inculcating adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness to surprise is the chief preoccupation of the major armies of the world. Doctrine writers, practitioners, scholars, and policy-makers concerned with the effectiveness of military force should read this book."—David Betz, Department of War Studies, King's College London"[A] thoroughly researched and objective work of events impacting America's military affairs and security policies."—Parameters