ABSTRACT

This study aimed to improve our understanding of Boyd’s work as embodied in A Discourse on Winning and Losing. To that end Chapters 2, 3 and 4 discussed the formative factors of Boyd’s work, offering insight into reasons why Boyd developed his theory, and the professional environment his ideas landed in, in response to which he in no small measure developed his ideas. In addition it showed a number of key themes, concepts and metaphors he derived from his background as fighter pilot, designer of fighter aircraft, his involvement in the Military Reform Movement, his reading of military history, and in particular from his study of scientific literature. Chapters 5 and 6 provided a comprehensive account of Boyd’s work.