In this episode, we speak with Dr Charles Vandepeer, Senior Lecturer in Intelligence and Security Studies at the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, about his forthcoming book, Generalship in the Ancient World: Timeless Insights on Command from the Greeks and Romans. Drawing on a distinguished career spanning military service, defence science, intelligence analysis, and academia, Charles explores how ancient campaigns and commanders continue to offer valuable lessons for leadership, strategy, judgement, and decision-making today.
Join us as we discuss the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of translating historical complexity into practical insights, and why the experiences of Greek and Roman generals remain relevant to contemporary military professionals, leaders, and students of history alike.
Topics
- What to expect in the new book (Timestamp 02:41)
- Professional experience (Timestamp 06:13)
- Turning complexity into clarity: practical lessons (Timestamp 10:36)
Resources
- You can learn more about Dr Vandepeer’s research here.
- Vandepeer, C. (2014). Applied thinking for intelligence analysis : a guide for practitioners. Air Power Development Centre.
- Vandepeer, C. (2026). Generalship in the ancient world: Timeless insights on command from the Greeks and Romans. Pen and Sword.
- We got further insight into Dr Vandepeer’s writing process in From-the-edge blog post.
