Review by Choice Review
Because administrative services lack the glamour and glory of combat commands, the study of supply and transportation in war has been subordinated to exciting histories of battles and generals. But, Brown claims in this excellent study of logistics in the Great War, military victories in WW I could not have been achieved without the British solving the problems of material support. He tells of the development of logistics from the primitive ad hoc solutions of 1914-1916 to the well-organized system initiated by Sir Eric Geddes. The introduction of civilian experts and the pragmatism and professionalism of British staff officers made possible the victories of 1918. Brown credits Haig, commander of the British Army, with recognizing the need for change and supporting the innovations. The history of logistics during the war is covered in great detail, with scholarly documentation. Although rather too detailed for the general reader, Brown's study will help students at the upper-division undergraduate level and above to better evaluate the work of the administrative staffs of the WW I British army. I. M. Roth; emeritus, Foothill College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
