Product Description

The Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare provides a unique account of Western warfare from antiquity to the present day. The book treats the history of all aspects of the subject: the development of warfare on land, sea and air; weapons and technology; strategy and defence; discipline and intelligence; mercenaries and standing armies; cavalry and infantry; chivalry and blitzkrieg; guerrilla assault and nuclear arsenals. It places in context particular key events in the history of armed engagement, from the Greek victory at Marathon, through the introduction of gunpowder in medieval England and France, to the jungle warfare of Vietnam and the strategic air attacks of the Gulf War. Throughout, there is an emphasis on the socio-economic aspects of military progress: 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?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #758038 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
‘… exceptional … beautifully illustrated … A highly readable book, and an interesting one, both for the expert and the amateur enthusiast. A must for college libraries.’ U. S. I. Journal

‘Highly polished and well illustrated, this book is a comprehensive history of the Western (European) way of war, spanning ancient Greece to today’s modern methods and policies of destruction … The text is superbly supported by numerous and handy sidebars providing details, insights, and anecdotes … Parker’s conclusion is historically based and particularly chilling.’ Library Journal

‘... uniformly excellent...’. The VVa Veteran

‘… 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.’ Foreign Affairs

‘From an analysis of the Western habits of war to a review of developments which influenced the professional development of combat, this is recommended for any one studying history and conflict.’ The Midwest Book Review

‘ … [CIHW has] been pulled together by the finest military historian currently writing.’ Jeremy Black

Customer Reviews

Good overview, but some downsides
I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a broad overview of military history. The text in the book is actually very good, although I at first didn't like the book much because I thought it was disorganized. The book is full of inserted boxes explaining details or battles, while the main text meanders around these boxes. The boxes can be confusing and draws your attention from what you are currently reading - you flip a page, see a small battle in a box and you want to read it, taking your eyes off the main text. Still, the content is good all round.

Maps and illustrations are inconsistent and use different symbols, which is also annoying. Explaining the tactics of a Roman Legion using 8 1" x 2" illustrations on the margin is just not good enough.

Pros:
-Good overview of huge subject
-Very good text, concise and to the point
-Has all historical battles

Cons:
-Illustrations and map could be better
-Confusing structure, but patience is rewarded

A classic book for all military enthusiasts
This book would be ideal for anybody wishing to understand a broad range of elements in the development of warfare throughout history. Parker analyses the development of warfare in all its apects- on land, sea and air. The book contains some superb illustrations covering naval engagements, historical weaponry and battle tactics from Alexander the Great to Napolean. Parker also looks in some detail at more modern conflicts from World War I to the gulf war showing how battles were won and lost and the technology used to win these wars. Personally, I particularly enjoyed the chapter covering the development of fortifications with the advent of gunpowder- Parker uses some very useful illustrations of the work of, for example, Vauban- one of the greatest fortification engineers in 17th century europe. If you enjoy miliary history and want an easy and enjoyable read I suggest that you buy this book as it is one of the most comprehensive books I have read on the development of warfare throughout history.