Insurgencies- conflicts in which factions attempt to take over state power by force- have been around almost as long as there have been organized states. In fact, James S. Corum asserts that insurgency is one of the most common types of conflict. Through detailed historical analysis utilizing his extensive background as a historian and military intelligence officer, Corum advances a superbly researched, well-articulated, and convincing argument that there is nothing fundamentally new in counterinsurgency, but that the United States nevertheless remains ill-prepared to execute ithellip; Skillfully drawing on relevant historical events, Corum explains why insurgents cannot be defeated by the rapid, decisive campaigns preferred by a U.S. doctrine that remains rooted in the cold war. He recounts how forces employing a superior long-term strategy often defeat insurgents, citing the United Statesrs" experience in the Philippines, Francers" s in Algeria, and the United Kingdomrs" s in Malaya. "Fighting the War on Terror "sets forth actions necessary to engage future insurgencies successfully.

Corum, like Thomas X. Hammes in "Sling and the Stone "(Zenith Press, 2004)," "would have us rely less on technological solutions. Corum, however, places even greater emphasis on using the media effectively and training host-nation security forces and police. What separates Corumrs" s work from Hammesrs" s is the level of detail Corum provides and his explanation of how past counterinsurgency efforts should be shaping our approach toward combating todayrs" s insurgents. Although the two authorsrs" recommendations are similar, Corumrs" s are deeper andbroader. This fine book is easy to read, and I enthusiastically recommend it to "Military Review"rs" s readers and to anyone who has read or is considering reading Hammesrs" s "Sling and the Stone," Because of its outstanding historical perspective, "Fighting the War on Terror "can be read alone, as a complement to Hammes, or as a foundation for secondary readings- itrs" s that good.