Adrian Lewis is a former Army Major and Associate Professor of History at the University of North Texas. His latest work, ‘‘The American Culture of War,” is a major source for those with a passion for the evolution and direction of America’s national security.

This single manuscript compresses hundreds of volumes on warfare, tactics and strategic thought relating to the United States military. It is recommended, before tackling this new book, that you spend time reading about World War II, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf Wars to provide context and depth to Lewis’ book. For those steeped in the study of warfare, or who have completed a Command and Staff level war college and wish to keep sharp on strategic thinking, this book is a real treat.

The 18 chapters begin with a discussion on American cultural theories of war, how America has developed a way of warfare that is an outgrowth of the western way of war. Among the many general theories proposed is that culture influences the outcome of war. Others include the general theory that political leaders and governments can intentionally and unintentionally act in ways that are inconsistent with the accepted cultural norms of its people; he uses the Vietnam War as a model.

Chapters are devoted to World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the impact these conflicts have had in shaping and changing American military thought. World War II brought new options to America’s military thinkers such as advances in airpower, armor, nuclear capabilities and carrier strike task forces that would lead to the evolution of America’s modern military strategy. President Truman would be in the center of a debate from the Army, Navy and Air Force on the over-reliance on airpower and the nuclear strike option.

The book does provide interesting observations. For instance it characterizes Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara as a managerial and not a strategic thinker. This is the kind of statement that leads to an interesting debate in a class on strategy and policy or national security decision making. Did Robert McNamara engage in a limited war as President John F. Kennedy outlined a graduated war?

The last chapter is a critical analysis of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the basic question as to whether Americans can overcome cultural learning and adapt to new capabilities and innovations that our adversaries develop in the 21st century tactics of asymmetric warfare. Lewis’ final statement in the last page of the book is: ‘‘Ultimately the security of the nation is based not on the capabilities of its technology, but on the quality and character of the men and women it produces.” He comes back full circle to humankind’s most important asset, the mind which wins the war and wins the peace. Spend time with this thought-provoking book.

Editor’s Note:Aboul-Enein maintains a regular book column in three military base papers. He wishes to thank Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW⁄AW) David Tranberg, president of the Pentagon Chapter of the First Class Petty Officer Association for his edits and comments. Aboul-Enein wishes to also thank the John T. Hughes Library, in Washington, D.C., for providing this volume and a place to study, read and write.