|
|
The Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Paperback)
by Geoffrey Parker (Editor)
| Category:
Military history |
| Market price: ¥ 358.00
MSL price:
¥ 338.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
With clear graphics, lucid text, and wonderful accuracy, this book is an excellent introductory overview of military history. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
Detail |
Author |
Description |
Excerpt |
Reviews |
|
|
|
Author: Geoffrey Parker (Editor)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press; New Ed edition
Pub. in: September, 2000
ISBN: 0521794315
Pages: 416
Measurements: 9.8 x 8 x 1 inches
Origin of product: UK
Order code: BA00682
Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0521794312
|
|
Rate this product:
|
|
- Awards & Credential -
From a leading authority on this topic, this book is one of the top recommendations on the topic of military history by MSL. |
|
- MSL Picks -
As with its political and economic systems, Western Europe came to develop very unique military institutions that had evolved from Greco-Roman military doctrines applying war as a science and as a precise instrument towards defined political ends: emphasizing on uniform training and equipment as well as strict discipline. This book studies the evolution of Western military institutions from antiquity to modern times and demonstrates how these progressive changes contributed to the modern doctrines of Western warfare that are used today by every nation-state.
Geoffrey Parker did an excellent job in this work. Although many illustrative books are just that, this book has very detailed explanations in addition to very useful illustrations such as photos, maps, and diagrams. The book covers all of the important aspects of Western military evolution. For example, it will start by explaining how the early Greek phallanx comprised of citizen farmers was a significant factor to developing the citizen armies of the Roman legions to the later nation-state armies of 18th century Europe. The book looks at the impact of important military/political thinkers such as Thucydides, Caesar, Machiavelli, and Clausewitz, in the evolution of military doctrine. The book of course makes sure to cover how advances in science and engineering such as siege engines, firearms, and explosives changed the conduct of warfare and how armies adapted to such changes.
This is nothing short of an excellent book that has the right balance between text and illustrations. Unlike other illustrative texts that are mostly pictures with little substance, this book is extremely thorough and detailed as to the main factors responsible towards the unique evolution of western military institutions and their impact on the world.
(From quoting Octavius, USA)
Target readers:
Miilitary history lovers.
|
|
Geoffrey Parker is one of the world's leading authorities on military history and is the editor of The Times Atlas of World History (1993) and the author of The Military Revolution (Cambridge,1988).
|
|
From Publisher
The Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare provides a unique account of Western warfare from antiquity to the present. The book treats all aspects of the subject from the Greeks to the nuclear age: the development of warfare on land, sea and air; weapons and technology; strategy and defense; discipline and intelligence. Throughout, there is an emphasis on the socio-economic aspects of war: who pays for it, how can its returns be measured, and to what extent does it explain the rise of the West to global dominance over two millennia?
|
| View all 5 comments |
Bloomsbury Review (MSL quote), UK
<2007-02-07 00:00>
The volume's thesis, controversial for some, claims that it is the West's peculiar form of waging war that has led it to dominate so much of the globe. As the various essays in the book outline the development of war in the West, they very ably support that central thesis... copious illustrations - especially the battle plans and reconstructions... will be welcome reading to anyone who wants a broad overview of warfare.
|
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-07 00:00>
Easily the best in its field, the book gives you a profound understanding and knowledge of the european wars. The chapters are well written and up-to-date. The bibliographies are clearly stated to give the reader further information on a given topic. This is history of war at its finest.
|
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-07 00:00>
This book provides a good first glance at the various stages of warfare that have come and gone throughout human history, from Greek Hoplites to guerilla warfare. The illustrations in this book are very beautiful and informative, and a number of insets provide interesting factoids.
This book is ideally suited for those wanting a good overview of the history of warfare. Be forewarned, though, that this book should not be used as a reference except for general facts in the history of warfare. Battle formations, major skirmishes and important people make up the majority of the content. Smaller details are not included, for the most part.
Overall, this is a great book to own. I bought it for a college course a few years back and kept it afterwards. This is a good starting-off point for any interested in military history. |
Foreign Affairs (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-07 00:00>
...this book deserves close attention from the student of military affairs... The attractive volume makes imaginative use of diagrams, maps, and pictures, which serve far more than merely decorative purposes. In short, a valuable overview of the history of warfare, and a worthy companion of other fine one-volume surveys.
|
View all 5 comments |
|
|
|
|
