Bayonets Before Bullets: The Imperial Russian Army, 18611914 (Indiana-Michigan Series in Russian and East European Studies) - Hardcover

Menning, Bruce W

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253337453 ISBN 13: 9780253337450

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 1992

Synopsis

In the first comprehensive institutional and operational history of the Imperial Russian Army during the crucial period of its modernization, Bruce W. Menning surveys the development of organization, doctrine, and strategy from the aftermath of Russia's defeat in the Crimean War through the wars against Turkey in 1877-1878 and Japan in 1904-1905, to the eve of World War I. Menning weaves analysis of reforms in technology and military an with lively accounts of combat operations and portraits of the personalities involved. Enhanced by superb battlefield maps, operational diagrams, and rare photographs of the leading Russian military commanders, Bayonets before Bullets offers a fascinating account of the Russian Army's struggle to modernize during a critical era of change.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Bayonets before Bullets is the first comprehensive institutional and operational history of the Imperial Russian Army during the crucial period of its modernization, 1861-1914.

Review:

"... this is an impressively researched book that examines not only military affairs but also issues concerning diplomacy, economy and technology... well written and tightly organised[,] it is a pleasure to read." --The Russian Review "Satisfying and substantive, this book represents a sophisticated contribution to an important topic." --American Historical Review " ... outstanding institutional and doctrinal history of the Russian army from the military reforms following the Crimean War to the outbreak of war in 1914 ... " --Publishers Weekly " ... genuinely significant, barrier-breaking ... brilliant, classically written ... This superb, timely and timeless book will be the foundation upon which all future books on this fascinating, too-little-explored subject will build." --Military Review " ... brilliant synthesis of the evolution of the Russian army in a critical half century." --The Journal of Military History "Menning provides the definitive English-language account of military thought, army organisation, and combat experience of late Imperial Russia. His multifaceted work is also a model of how military historians should look at the development of the armed forces of any country." -- War in History "I can recommend no better guide to understanding the contours of today's Russian military crisis than this book about that institution's grandparent... This is a startlingly timely work of history." -- Military Review "... brilliant synthesis of the evolution of the Russian army in a critical half century." -- Journal of Military History "Satisfying and substantive, this book represents a sophisticated contribution to an important topic." -- Slavic Review "This book is military history as it should be written. A must read for any scholar or amateur interested in late-nineteenth century military history, it is an important book in the context of the new Balkan tragedy as well as in that of the Russian army's current search for a new direction." -- European Studies Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0253337453
• ISBN 13: 9780253337450
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352