The world’s strongest armies discover that Nature can be a secret ally or an unbeatable foe.Not even the strongest troops can match the power of nature. In each of the ten stories in this volume, well-armed forces set off to battle human enemies but find themselves fighting the environment instead. Sometimes a leader carefully plans the perfect attack, only to find geography in the way. Other times the climate interferes unexpectedly. • In 119 BCE, General Wei Qing used a sand storm as cover and was able to attack the Xiongnu nomads by surprise.• Napoleon’s plan to quickly subdue the Russians was foiled by the savage “General Winter.”• A massive network of underground tunnels gave the Viet Cong guerillas an unbeatable advantage over the much stronger American forces.

• The battle between India and Pakistan over borders has pitted both countries against the inhospitable Siachen Glacier.Nature’s obstacles have lead to crushing defeats, inspired accidental victories, and encouraged surprising innovation.