The Cavalry

The Cavalry unites tow enthralling aspects of military life before the advent of the tank: the functions and behavior of horses in war and the duties, training, tradition and deeds of the men who rode them into battle. This fascinating subject is superbly illustrated with more than 200 painting, drawings, engravings and new battle maps.

James Lawford, in the book’s concluding chapter, pinpoints some enduring traits of the horsed cavalryman. “In war he was swift into action, instant of decision, careless of the consequences. In his passing he has left behind him a tradition of light-hearted, debonair elegance and reckless courage in battle that is still far from dead.” Whether a hussar, a lancer or a cuirassier, whether mounted on a small, darting pony or a majestic, heavy charger, his enthusiasm for combat was prodigious.

From the archers of Assyria to the lancers of World War I, the story had a span of some 3,000 years. It is told by a team of military historians, all of whom are authorities on the periods they have covered in their respective chapters. The Cavalry provides fascinating insight into the evolution of the cavalry, the battles fought, and the tactics used by these masters of warfare.