Small Unit Tactics: An Illustrated Manual (Paperback)

Easily digestible. Great graphics and pics. A great compliment to the Ranger Handbook!! I wish I’d had this when I was in the Army.

While I am, not intending to invade a small country I found Small Unit Tactics: An Illustrated Manual an excellent introduction to military tactics for small groups. I am writing a fantasy novel, and my new Battle of Helm’s Deep was missing anything resembling realism, so I wanted to see what an actual battle should look like. So people who served didn’t scream at my book and cry “that’s not how you do it. You idiot.” With hundreds of color images and diagrams, this made it easy to visualize and understandI’m sure this would be of more interest to actual military personnel. Other reviews gave it 5 stars and I am sure they are right. For a lay person with a casual interest, or just to make your novel a bit more realistic it is a great resource. It’s very comprehensive and well laid out. Even outside of my research, it was an interesting book, I do like to read things I know nothing about and maybe learn something.

"Small Unit Tactics" is a refreshing and engaging take on tactical doctrine, offering a balance of precision, practicality, and humor. The author’s writing style is direct and often dryly funny, making complex concepts surprisingly enjoyable to read. I appreciated the frequent references to other military manuals, particularly the Ranger Handbook, which provides useful context and credibility without feeling overly academic. The accompanying graphics are a standout feature, helping to visualize key points and bringing the text to life.One of the book’s strengths is how prescriptive it is. While many tactical manuals default to the vague “it depends,” this author avoids that cop-out and offers clear, actionable advice. Yes, this can lead to occasional oversimplification, but it’s a fair trade-off for the clarity it provides. Lastly, the depth of detail is impressive. The author takes a single operation, like conducting an ambush, and explores every angle, ensuring nothing is overlooked. Highly recommended for anyone interested in tactics.

I have always had a historical interest in battle tactics, aside from a general interest in learning about stuff, and this manual--not a book--is the perfect review of small unit infantry tactics. It definitely is jargon-heavy, and to really understand most of these concepts you would have to spend several weeks in basic training and several more weeks (months?) in tactical/leadership training. It would also require a lot of on-the-ground exercises. All that said, this remains an awesome review of the tactics even if you are reviewing them at a much more superficial level.This kind of understanding gives me a newfound appreciation for my family and friends in the military. Strategy, logistics, planning, knowing the advantages and limitations of your weapons and equipment--these things and much more are all essential.Is it a light and fluffy read? Of course not. How could it be? But it is exactly the deeper dive I have always been interested in pursuing. And it also is a great reference resource for anyone purporting to understand, write about, or represent small unit battle.

Matthew Luke’s Small Unit Tactics: An Illustrated Manual is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of military operations. Drawing from the first-hand experiences of a special operations veteran, the book offers a step-by-step guidance on conducting successful missions, from infiltration techniques to executing ambushes.What truly sets this manual apart is its user-friendly format. The inclusion of several full-colour images, diagrams, and photographs brings the content to life, making complex concepts accessible to all readers.The scenarios presented seem authentic, reflecting real-world challenges.Small Unit Tactics also demonstrates a commendable effort to reach a global audience. Whether you’re preparing for military service, writing tactical fiction, or simply expanding your knowledge, this manual is an essential addition to your library. Practical, visually rich, and insightful, it’s a must-read for anyone passionate about tactical warfare.