author
John Frederick Maurice
1841–1912
Remembered for turning hard military experience into clear, influential writing, this British officer brought history, strategy, and public debate together in a way that still feels lively. His books range from major war histories to thoughtful works on national defense and military literature.
1 Audiobook
The Great War of 189-: A Forecast
by P. H. (Philip Howard) Colomb, Archibald Forbes, Charles Lowe, F. N. (Frederic Natusch) Maude, John Frederick Maurice, David Christie Murray, Frank Scudamore
About the author
Born in London on 24 May 1841, he became a senior British Army officer and later a major-general, but he is especially remembered as a military writer. He was the eldest son of the theologian Frederick Denison Maurice and was educated at Addiscombe and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.
His career combined active service, teaching, and historical work. He served in campaigns including the Ashanti expedition, held important staff and educational posts, and wrote extensively on war, strategy, and army organization. Among his notable works are War, National Defences, and multi-volume histories connected with the South African War, as well as editorial work on military memoirs and campaigns.
What makes him interesting as an author is the way he wrote from both practical experience and a historian’s eye. His books were shaped by a lifetime in the army, but they were also meant for readers trying to understand how nations prepare for conflict, how campaigns unfold, and how military ideas are argued in public.