The first, introductory, chapter explains the poor state of Chadic comparative linguistics and motivates the present study against the backdrop of previous research. It outlines the frames of reference and limitations of the study and justifies the double approach of multilateral comparative and micro-level dialectological analysis and comparison of data. It illustrates the spread of lexical innovations by reference to a set of schematic maps of isoglosses. Different formats of data representation are related to different levels of analysis. The structure of the book is outlined.

This chapter provides a rationale for this 4th Edition of the Handbook of Intercultural Training. This rationale is situated within a consideration of the impacts of inter-and intra-reginal migration and the impacts on sustainability of broad swathes of the planet. Following that discussion we will present some of the major theories of intercultural training. Lastly we will discuss the structure of the book and provide brief summaries of each chapter.

This chapter argues that Charles E. Callwell (1859-1928) has been unfairly neglected in the historiography of military thought. He is best known for his book Small Wars, first published in 1896, but this has often been studied in terms of modern counterinsurgency, rather than being placed in its proper context. Callwell ranged widely across most of the burning defence questions of his day, and many of the books and articles that resulted are presented here for the first time. The chapter includes a brief summary account of his life and major works.