This Short History provides a concise but revealing picture of the art of military scouting and reconnaissance, always remaining true to the spirit of the scout - light on their feet, taking only what they need and returning with information that can make the difference between victory and defeat. From the highly toned Spartan warriors through the scouts employed by Julius Caesar, through the middle ages to the Napoleonic Wars and the mass warfare of the modern era, this book gives you all you need to know, and nothing that you don't.

Scouting and reconnaissance responsibilities are sometimes carried out by other military units. For example, the US Marines call their snipers Scout Snipers since snipers are often in a good position to gather intelligence covertly. Special forces units tasked with a particular mission also bring back valuable intelligence information. This book focuses on units whose mission is to move covertly without engaging with the enemy.