Strategy

This is one of the essential "middle ground" books in my lecture of core readings about strategy and force structure (see my list).

Brigadier Simpson was one of the first, and is still among the best, to focus on the role that both C4I (command, control, communications, and intelligence) as well as rotary wing capabilities (including vertical short take off and landing) would play in placing eyes on target, boots on the ground, and in strategic, operational, and tactical mobility.

He notes that secret C4I is largely counterproductive.

He also focuses on the dramatic implications for force structure as well as intelligence of "out of area" (OoA) operations becoming the norm. The United States and the rest of the world are, for example, completely unprepared for no-notice asymmetric and tribal warfare in Africa, where the United Nations is trying to deal with five complex emergencies as this is written (Burundi, Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sudan).

If you can get a copy used, go for it. Worth republishing.

As one might imagine, "Race to the Swift" is a call for speed and stealth in military action. It's not just about technology, however; Simpkin goes to great lengths to examine political/home-front issues, logistics, and military hierarchy. Ultimately, though, these all serve as supporting evidence for his core argument: that the current heavy mechanized divisions of today are too slow in light of the incredible increase in available firepower on the modern battlefield. As an alternative, he calls for armored, stealthy, heliborne cavalry. Traveling in something akin to airborne tanks, capable of deploying on conventional tracks when necessary, these new formations would deploy off of submersible helicopter carriers. Obviously, this thinking is more revolutionary than evolutionary, some of it even smacks of science fiction, but the core validity of his argument, that an exponential increase in speed is called for, is undeniable.

Of particular note for the times we live in are the final few chapters, especially the last one. In them he examines what it means to "wage war" in the age of non-state actors. His arguments on the use of Special Forces backed by the appropriate application of conventional forces seems to have been borrowed wholesale by the planners of our operations in Afghanistan. Also very interesting is Simpkin's exploration of the legal language necessary to maintain the integrity of our western values in our post September 11th world.

In the end this is a work of immense value. As I said earlier, though, the reader has to be committed to taking something out of it. When you are, when you look past the Central European staging for the writing, you will find a work that is rich in both theory and practical application. The way in which it relates to our current situation is almost uncanny, and the guideposts it offers for the future are immensely valuable. I suspect that in the years to come we will hear many of Simpkin's ideas being revisited. The nation in general, and our leaders in particular would do well to pay them heed sooner rather than later.

I feel that for most player's purposes this book is a little better than Averbach's book, but it's most fun to have them both and compare their explanations. Averbach's book spends far more time on the theory of corresponding squares, while this book is more practical. In short, don't despair if you can't find Averbach's book; this one is very good.

If you've read a basic introduction to the endgame, and want to go deeper, this is the next step. All other endgames constantly threaten to reduce to pawn endgames, so these are fundamental concepts. As it says on the back cover, "Without an understanding of [pawn endings] it is impossible to master more complicated endings." That is absolutely true.

Many players will feel that pawn endgames are boring, but in reality they can be very beautiful. If you learn to enjoy them, then your enjoyment of the entire game of chess will increase.

Whatever you are doing this will help you make an impact and teach you a great deal about learning with people. It has greatly improved my leadership skills in my outdoor education positions. This book enlightens so many of the fuzzy areas of group procesing and managing a group or person for growth experiences. Its division and explanation of the edge experience is priceless. END

The one downfall to this book is that it leaves out a few of the most critical lines in all of the Semi-Slav. An example here would be the 18...d4 line in the Main Line of the Botvinnik Variation with 17...a3. This is a line that was seen in 1994 (about 4 years before the writing of the book). It is an interesting and sharp line that leads to a Rook Sacrifice on move 22 (22...Rh5, which is the ONLY MOVE), the sacrifice of yet another rook, and eventually a position considered roughly equal after going through a sequence of moves where White is up 2 rooks, but Black has pawns on b4, b2, and c3.

Another loop-hole is the lacking of Black's options other than 6...Bd6 in the 6.Qc2 lines of the 5.e3 Semi-Slav. An important alternative for Black would be 6...b6, for example.

If there was such a rating as "4 and a half stars", that's what I'd give this book, but I had to round it off to 5. 4 would be a bit too harsh. However, while I would highly recommend reading this book, I would also recommend "The Botvinnik Semi-Slav" and "The Meran System", both by Steffen Pederson, as these appear to be more complete in coverage, though also deeper into the theory, and hence I would recommend reading Sadler's book first before trying dive into the others.

A MUST READ for "First-Time" Semi-Slav Players!!!

Christian or not, this will speak to you and change your life. This book is the stuff the red letters talk about. If you want to experience the fullness and the power of the God of the Universe, this is the best place to start.
This book is not about benign Christianity and self empowerment. It is about significant life change brought about by the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Cross that Jesus bled and died on.

As a Christian, have you ever told someone that you have made or are trying to make some significant changes in your life? If so I am sure you are still trying to win that battle. If you need God to change you, if you want to feel his love and power, if you want him to do something EXTRAORDINARY in your life. This is a great place to start.

Go ahead give your religious demons a stir, buy this book and READ IT! The literary content is excellent. It is very easy to read and follow, no long theological intellectualism here. Dr. Malone's personal desire is to see people's lives changed, not to impress or confuse the reader.