Deceiving Clio: a critical examination of the writing of military history in the pursuit of military reform and modernisation (with particular reference to Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart and Major General John Frederick Charles Fuller
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Authors
Whittle, Marius Gerard Anthony
Issue Date
2009-08-25T10:47:22Z
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Military reform , Modernisation , John Frederick Charles Fuller , Basil Henry Liddell Hart , Theorist-historian
Alternative Title
Abstract
This dissertation examines the practice of writing military history in conjunction with
military theory. It shows that in the pursuit of establishing military theory, military
history is often actively distorted and manipulated by military theorists. Those military
theorists who, consciously or subconsciously, succumb to this practice are identified here
as "theorist-historians". The effect of this manipulation, its implications and
consequences for the field of study as a whole are examined, as is the didactic nature of
military history in the light of historical accuracy. In conclusion the role and effect of the
military theorist~historians are evaluated against those of purely academic historians. The
unique didactic needs of military history are also highlighted.
Two twentieth century British military theorists, B. H. Liddell Hart and J. F. C. Fuller,
were chosen as being representative of the military theorist-historian group.
Description
Citation
Whittle, Marius Gerard Anthony (2009) Deceiving Clio: a critical examination of the writing of military history in the pursuit of military reform and modernisation (with particular reference to Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart and Major General John Frederick Charles Fuller, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/860>