In recent years the British Army has been largely occupied with peacekeeping operations and with the countering of subversion and insurgency; and it seems likely that it will continue to be occupied in this way for the forseeable future. The purpose of Brigadier Kitson's book is to provide a clear and authoritative outline of the preparatory steps that should be taken now to improve military efficiency in this particular role. In particular, it concentrates on co-ordination between military commanders on all levels and police and civil leaders, and it clearly recognizes that all operations of this nature must be planned in the context of the overall design and objective decided on by civil government.

In his foreword General Sir Michael Carver, Chief of the General Staff, emphasizes the book's practical value; and he underlines in particular the stress which Brigadier Kitson lays on the importance of obtaining early information–and the methods by which this can be achieved.

With service in Kenya, Malaya, Muscat and Oman, Cyprus and Northern Ireland behind him, Brigadier Kitson is eminently qualified to tackle this particular subject. The book was written during a year in which the Army sent him to carry out research at Oxford University under Professor Norman Gibbs, Chichele Professor of the History of War.