Originally published in 1896, Small Wars is an ambitious attempt to analyze and draw lessons from Western experience in fighting campaigns of imperial conquest. The quality of C. E. Callwell s analysis, the sweep of his knowledge, and his ability to integrate information from an impressive variety of experiences resulted in Small War s reputation as a minor classic.

For the historian, Small Wars remains a useful and vital analysis of irregular warfare experiences ranging from Hoche s suppression of the Vendee revolt during the French Revolution, to the British wars against...