What is the strategic legacy of General André Beaufre and how does it shed light on modern conflict? General Hervé Pierre answers this question in his book General Beaufre. Father of French strategy. Published on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the "French Clausewitz", this biography is based on a detailed knowledge of Beaufre's thought and career, informed by a doctoral thesis defended in 2020. It retraces the major stages of the strategist's military career, from the Rif to Suez, via Free France and the Algerian War. The book highlights the significance of the concept of "total strategy", which is now being revived in French military discourse as the "global approach". General Pierre highlights the lasting impact of General Beaufre's thinking, illustrated in particular by the international success of his landmark book Introduction to strategytranslated into over twenty languages.
Major General Hervé Pierre became a naval officer after completing his studies at Saint-Cyr. He has served in Afghanistan, Mali and the Central African Republic, and was Land Adviser to the Prime Minister from 2018 to 2021. He is a graduate of higher military education and attended theUS Marines Command and Staff College in 2008-2009. Also a doctor in political science, he wrote his thesis on the thought of General André Beaufre and is the author of several books, including General Beaufre. Crossed portraits (Editions Pierre de Taillac, 2020), co-written with Roland Beaufre.
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