The author suggests that the indirect approach is applicable to many fields outside of military strategy. There are obvious similarities between military endeavors, in which the goal is to acquire some lasting benefit for oneself, often in the face of resistance from an outside force, and many other human activities.

Part 1) Explain the indirect approach independent of military strategy. Describe its various components and attributes without reference to military terms or ideas.

Part 2) Discuss how these ideas can be applied to another specific human endeavor. Draw analogies between the military concepts discussed in the book and the concepts that pertain to the endeavor you have chosen to discuss.

Part 3) Use examples to explain how grand strategy relates to this endeavor, and how decisive and indecisive results can be identified.

Part 4) Explain step by step one example of how the indirect approach can be applied to this endeavor in order to bring about decisive results.

Essay Topic 2

Hitler and other German military leaders unleashed a furious war on conquest against most of continental Europe that shocked the world with its speed and effectiveness. Hitler had an unquestionably strong grasp of military strategy, and was in a unique position to manipulate the grand strategy of the war.

Part 1) What was the state of strategy and generalship immediately before the outbreak of World War II? What types of forces and engagements were most nations expecting? How did the German war-effort differ from these expectations?

Part 2) Explain the major characteristics of Hitler's strategies in World War II. Were his methods largely direct or indirect? Provide examples of both types of approaches.

Part 3) Summarize the extent of Hitler's successes. Were these results decisive or indecisive? Did Hitler succeed in achieving the goals dictated by his grand strategy?

Essay Topic 3

The War of Spanish Succession is cited as a major setback in military strategy. This war was fought in disparate theaters by nations with no real interest in the territory under dispute and with only the vaguest of grand strategies. The small number of commanders who endorsed a more indirect approach were consistently hindered by the ignorance of their superiors, and the war devolved into a bloody and indecisive war of direct approaches.

Part 1) Explain the background and progress of this war. What was unusual about the places where and the ways in which this war was fought?

Part 2) In general, what method were employed in this war? What factors contributed to these strategies?

Part 3) What were the grand strategies and national objects of the major participants of this war? How did these goals affects the course of the war? Did any nation succeed in achieving decisive results?

Part 4) Which commander or commanders sought to employ indirect methods during this war? Why were they hindered in their attempts? What would have been some possible results if they had not been blocked in their efforts?

(see the answer keys)

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