The New Rules of War Audiobook By Sean McFate cover art

The New Rules of War

Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder

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The New Rules of War

By: Sean McFate
Narrated by: Joe Knezevich
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About this listen

"Stunning. Sean McFate is a new Sun Tzu." (Admiral James Stavridis (retired), former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO)

An Economist Book of the Year 2019

An urgent, fascinating exploration of warfare - past, present and future - and what we must do if we want to win today from an 82nd Airborne veteran, former private military contractor, and professor of war studies at the National Defense University.

War is timeless. Some things change - weapons, tactics, technology, leadership, objectives - but our desire to go into battle does not. We are living in the age of Durable Disorder - a period of unrest created by numerous factors: China’s rise, Russia’s resurgence, America’s retreat, global terrorism, international criminal empires, climate change, dwindling natural resources, and bloody civil wars. Sean McFate has been on the front lines of deep state conflicts and has studied and taught the history and practice of war. He’s seen firsthand the horrors of battle and understands the depth and complexity of the current global military situation.

This devastating turmoil has given rise to difficult questions. What is the future of war? How can we survive? If Americans are drawn into major armed conflict, can we win? McFate calls upon the legends of military study Carl von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, and others, as well as his own experience, and carefully constructs the new rules for the future of military engagement, the ways we can fight and win in an age of entropy: one where corporations, mercenaries, and rogue states have more power and ‘nation states’ have less. With examples from the Roman conquest, World War II, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and others, he tackles the differences between conventional and future war, the danger in believing that technology will save us, the genuine leverage of psychological and ‘shadow’ warfare, and much more. McFate’s new rules distill the essence of war today, describing what it is in the real world, not what we believe or wish it to be.

Some of these principles are ancient, others are new, but all will permanently shape war now and in the future. By following them he argues, we can prevail. But if we do not, terrorists, rogue states, and others who do not fight conventionally will succeed - and rule the world.

©2019 Sean McFate (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers
21st Century Military Military science National & International Security National Security War Warfare Imperialism
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A bit delusional and brainwashed but great book

He provides great information but sometimes he only provides one side of the story. Great book overall.

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A must read!

An interesting and important take on modern warfare. Information war, mercenaries, and the Strategic Arts are the paths to continued American primacy as outlined by the author.

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great book, great reader, poor sound editor.

The book itself is great. The reader does a fine job reading it. Whoever edited this thing cuts the first half to full second off of every audio clip and pieced it together. It wouldn't be so bad if hundreds of audio clips didn't make up each chapter. It is annoying trying to guess the first word all of the time and takes away from the enjoyment of the book. Please fix this.

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I Loved This

Reminiscent of Robert Greene books on strategy and warfare with contemporary and nuanced examples today. Almost a prediction of the future. I will be listening again.

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Sage

Mr McFate reminds us there isn't much new under the sun, especially when it comes to warfare. In this controversial book, the importance of juggernaut, modern institutions are questioned and a new theory of future conflict is introduced that sounds oddly similar to those of yesteryear. Just summed up in ten tidy rules. No matter your stance, ultimately the author paints a picture of what COULD be the future of warfare and forces the reader to consider his validity and question modern paradigms. Thought will be achieved.

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Must read for any military or diplomat

Argues conventional warfare is dead and there only exists war and peace in the declining era of nation states. Recommendations come from years of experience and study. Decries the military's eductional systems creating tacticians vice strategic thinkers. As well as the focus on maintaining victory through technologies and equipment vice investment in SOF, a foreign legion, cyber and information capabilities and prioritising supporting branches of the military being on active duty instead of combat arms.

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Outstanding!

The west can afford to keep losing Wars. Sooner or later, the west will be defeated forever. Unless we adapt, and fight back! Get this book in the hands of every politician and military member ASAP! Or kiss America goodbye forever.

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Need it.

In modern times we have been infiltrated by a nefarious enemy hell-bent on destroying American liberty, freedom, and truth. This book reveals many tactics of the enemy within.

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Valuable Read

Valuable read for strategists and operators alike. McFate writes about the much needed unspeakable on how the nation needs to rethink war. McFate isn’t overly concerned about the faraway future but the wars of today and tomorrow.

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Makes you think

Challenged my thinking on several topics with objective, empirical data. Rages from Sun Tsu to 21st Century warfare.

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