This comprehensive study investigates the effectiveness of major military powers during a pivotal half-century of global conflict. The work, presented in three volumes, scrutinizes the military institutions of France, Germany, Russia, the USA, Great Britain, Japan, and Italy between 1914 and 1945, a period encompassing two World Wars. Leading military historians analyze national approaches to warfare across tactical, operational, strategic, and political dimensions, forming the basis for a fundamental re-examination of military performance in the first half of the twentieth century.

This multi-volume study is recognized as an invaluable resource for military historians and social scientists engaged with national security and military issues. Its detailed examination of major powers' military performance from 1914 to 1945 provides a foundational text for understanding the evolution of warfare in the first half of the twentieth century. The work is considered essential reading for future military leaders and scholars at Staff and War Colleges, offering deep insights into the complexities of military effectiveness.