Early Operational Art: Nathanael Greene’s Carolina Campaign 1780-1781

This book examines the Carolina Campaign conducted by Nathanael Greene during the American Revolution and contrasts it with the criteria developed by Dr. Robert Epstein and Dr. James Schneider for determining the practice of operational art. Both doctors are professors at the School of Advanced Military Studies and offer differing views on when operational art was first practiced. However, Greene executed his campaign prior to when either would argue operational art first originated as a distinct level of war. The book begins with an examination of Dr. Epstein’s and Dr. Schneider’s theories. It then discusses the conduct of Greene’s campaign and relates his actions to the theoretical frameworks established by the two professors. After contrasting Greene’s campaign with their theories, the work concludes that Greene’s campaign satisfies their criteria and thus provides an example of early operational art. Lastly, the book provides an analysis of the efficacy of using theoretical frameworks to further the study of operational art.