Engines of War: How Wars Were Won & Lost on the Railways - Softcover

Wolmar, Christian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1610390563 ISBN 13: 9781610390569

Publisher: PublicAffairs, 2011

Synopsis

The birth of the railway in the early 1830's revolutionized the way the world waged war. From armored engines with swiveling guns, to the practice of track sabotage, to the construction of tracks that crossed frozen Siberian lakes, the iron road” facilitated conflict on a scale that was previously unimaginable. It not only made armies more mobile, but widened fighting fronts and increased the power and scale of available weaponry; a deadly combination.

In Engines of War, Christian Wolmar examines all the engagements in which the railway played a part: the Crimean War; the American Civil War; both world wars; the Korean War; and the Cold War, with its mysterious missile trains; and illustrates how the railway became a deadly weapon exploited by governments across the world.

About this title

About the Author:

Christian Wolmar is a writer and broadcaster specializing in the social history of railways and transport. He has written for major British newspapers for many years and has contributed to many other publications, including the New York Times and Newsday. He frequently appears on TV and radio as an expert commentator. He is also the author of Blood, Iron, and Gold. His website is www.christianwolmar.co.uk

Review:

Publishers Weekly
“Wolmar writes with an authoritative tone and solid research on how railroads, with their ability to move vast numbers of troops, made "industrial-scale carnage possible." 

Library Journal
“Very accessible and likely to be popular with readers of general military history.”

About this edition

• Publisher: PublicAffairs
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1610390563
• ISBN 13: 9781610390569
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368