The course surveys the development of western military theory from the mid-eighteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries by looking at the works of a number of writers. Their work is placed in the context of the prevailing theory and practice of the time, and their influence or lack of influence is assessed. While it might seem at first glance that these writers have no relevance to contemporary defence problems, least of all in Australia, a closer examination of pre-nuclear theorists shows that the questions they have grappled with have been remarkably constant, and that a study of those questions in their historical context can help sharpen and clarify an assessment of contemporary issues.