Soldiers are confronted with obstacles in every manner of his duties and in almost

every aspect of life during war. Some of these factors are within the control of humans, but far

many are outside the ability of any person or group to control. For war-fighters and leaders it is

important to understand how personnel, units, and generals deal with these outside factors, so all

useful lessons can be learned from previous experiences for future operations. C.E. Wood’s book

Mud: A Military History (2006), takes to this task by examining how mud has been a factor in

war and what we can learn from the experience of military members as they attempted to deal

with it.

The purpose of the book is to explore the significant impact mud has had on military

operations throughout history, and to point out the necessity of more studies that are focused on a

particular environmental factors. The organization of the book follows what Wood feels is the

logical progression of thought when dealing with a force of nature that is known to many, but not

fully discussed by any study. The first four chapters define types of mud and how, when, these

muds appear on the battlefield. Chapters five through eight discuss how mud effects combatants’

morale and health and the impact on military equipment and tools. Wood’s final chapter deals

with mud in more contemporary lens and how mud will continue to impact military operations.

Wood’s main argument centers on his appraisal that mud attacks as a major hinderance

and obstacle to military operations, and that through this it has shaped the outcomes of wars. To

support his thesis Wood relies heavily on memoirs or journal entries from troops and

commanders. While his examples cover his topics well, Wood uses the same sources multiple

times to prove different primary accounts. This would be more understandable in a more narrow

study of mud, i.e. a particular battle, in a board study like this the reader is left to question if mud

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is as large of an environmental factor as the author suggests. However, the use of personal

accounts brings the narrative forward and reminds the reader Wood is focused on the human

element.

While Wood’s work narrowly fits into the type of military environmental studies

encouraged by Richard Tucker and Edmund Russell, it only adds what impact the natural world

has on the battlefield and, to a limited extent, the temporary effects military action has on the

landscape.1 There is never an attempt to analyze the impacts of warfare outside what the troops

directly encountered, nor does it seem Wood had any intention of included any. Outside the

environmental aspects, Wood does not add any revolutionary insight into military history. Much

of the work has been dealt with by other historians. New to the field is the focus on a singular

environmental factor.

Wood’s work is best for military commanders and leaders who are seeking greater

understanding into how different elements can be overcome. The author admits the expanding

urban sprawl continues to decrease the instances of muddy battlefields, but argues it is still

important for military commanders to plan for.2 And Wood provides many opportunities for

military students looking to lead. Such as understanding the strain placed on vehicles that must

go through mud and planning extra time and maintenance.3 Or the necessity of proper footwear

and foot care in wet and muddy conditions.4 However, as stated above, leaders and historians can

1Richard P. Tucker and Edmund Russell, ed., Natural Enemy, Natural Ally: Toward an Environmental History of War (Corvallis,
OE: Oregon State University Press, 2004), 2-3.

2 C.E. Wood, Mud: A Military History (Washington D.C.:Potomac Books, 2006), 133.
3 Wood, 121.

4 Wood, 105-106.

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learn most from Wood’s inadvertent analysis of the human ability to overcome, especially

overcoming the environment.

Mud is no different from other forces generals and soldiers encounter, what still contends

in the battle is the human spirit and willingness to drudge forward or break. Wood, though not

directly, takes the position that man can overcome what nature throws at him. Even when two

armies of men are facing the same mud, such as the case of Wellington and Napoleon. The

author explains that Napoleon stayed in one location choosing not to contend with the mud

personally, while Wellington, understanding the impact of mud on movement, took to moving

about the battlefield to cut communication times. 5 Or the 808th engineering battalion tackling

mud by devising metal plates with holes to allow transportation over a beaten road.6 When

describing General William Slim’s brilliant plan of brick laying to reconstitute roads in Burma,

Wood describes man ability to overcome mud as “a monument to ingenuity and determination.”7

One of the most insightful parts of the book is Wood’s ability to take mud, in ordinary

factor that all are familiar with, and make it the center of a military study. Wood makes a

convincing argument for mud, and the necessity for studying it. No doubt the author would, for

else why should we read the work. However, Wood’s ability to shape the narrative always

towards an all important quest that brings mud to the forefront of every argument. However

convincing the author is, Wood does not completely convince the reader mud is “all-important,”

rather that it is an element like any other that must be dealt with.

5 Wood, 63-64.
6 Wood, 41.

7 Wood, 69.

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 Wood opens the reader up to understanding how the environment can play a large role in

the outcome of warfare. Wood examines the impact of mud from the experience of the soldiers

who had to combat it daily, but this leaves an area of investigation open for other historians to

look at the scientific aspect and long-term effects from how different forces dealt with mud.

Wood’s argument is set apart because he does not lose the human element throughout the work.

If one lesson can be learned from this book it is the human spirit, drive, and resolve to overcome

obstacles is almost inexhaustible. Through hard-work and innovation the human ability to

overcome mud is shown throughout the book. Wood’s book is important, but there are still more

important works about warfare and how best to study it.

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