Learning To Eat Soup With A Knife

Learning Eat Soup With A Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons From Malaya and Vietnam by John Nagal is an interesting look at two very different counterinsurgency campaigns. I think I am interested in this topic, because as an American I am haunted and intrigued by the futile war fought in Vietnam. The colonial battles of the mid-twentieth century are fascinating for a number of reasons. Thus seeing Algeria and Vietnam release themselves from the grip of the French is as fascinating as the other battles for freedom from the likes of Malay and India. This book is also interesting in light of the counterinsurgency wars being fought simultaneously in Afghanistan and Iraq. I think the fact that the Army and its own bureaucracy has a to answer for in the Vietnam debacle as well as the problems that are being faced by troops now. It might go further to admit that these unjust wars are creating new troops for the insurgents everyday. The reasons for the successful campaign of the Birtish have much to do with competent and flexible leaders, which might make sense since their army is much smaller than the US army. The tone and style of the book is very academic, but interesting despite the lack of a coherent narrative, but certainly not for everyone. The wonderful title of the book comes from T.E. Lawrence’s aphorism that “Making war upon insurgents is messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife.” 

Comments

[Edward]

I managed to pick up the Iraqi war books Standard Operating Procedure and Occupational Hazards for $5 each (perhaps a sign of waning interest), so I'll soon be able to immerse myself in the latest debacles.

[MC]

Yeah, sounds like you're a bit behind the curve with those books. I saw the film version of Standard Operating Procedure which was directed by documentary master Errol Morris-you should check it out.

[Edward]

It's not so bad being behind the times - at least I can just enjoy the highlights.