A Guide to Battles: Decisive Conflicts in History

Richard Holmes

ISBN 10: 0192806548 / ISBN 13: 9780192806543

Published by Oxford University Press, 2009

About this Item

This fascinating book tells the stories of the most dramatic, memorable, and important conflicts in world history, from Agincourt, Lepanto, and Trafalgar, to Gettysburg, Stalingrad, and the Somme. It begins with the battle of Megiddo fought by the ancient Egyptians and takes the reader through to the Second Gulf War of 2003. On the way it encompasses almost 300 battles from around the world - from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, to Europe and the Americas. All the battles are grouped within chapters which tell the wider story of a particular era or region, for instance the ancient world or the Americas. Each chapter includes an informative introduction that sets out the historical, tactical, and technological context, and looks at current debates. Individual battles are placed clearly within the wars and campaigns of which they formed a part, making it possible for the reader to follow the details of the battle, and at the same time to understand its military and historical implications. Battlefield summarizes the very best of contemporary scholarship on battles and war in an accessible, engaging narrative. Detailed maps portray the course of famous battles and campaigns, and a range of illustrations - many from contemporary sources - bring the narrative to life. An extensive index gives the reader quick access to historical figures, locations, battle formations, and much more. This is an indispensable guide for history students, military enthusiasts, and professionals working in the field, and an ideal book for anyone with an interest in what Winston Churchill called 'punctuation marks in history'.

Seller Inventory # CIN0192806548G

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Guide to Battles: Decisive Conflicts in History
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0192806548
• ISBN 13: 9780192806543
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

Ranging from the Peloponnesian war, to Trafalgar and Gettysburg, to the War in Iraq, this exciting book tells the stories of the most dramatic, memorable, and important conflicts in world history. This superb, one-volume reference describes almost 300 battles from around the world--from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, as well as from Europe and the Americas. All the battles are grouped in chapters which tell the wider story of a particular era or region, whether it be the ancient world or Asia and the Middle East. Each chapter includes an introduction that sets out the historical, tactical, and technological context, and looks at current debates among military historians. In addition, individual battles are placed within the wars of which they formed a part, allowing readers understand a battle's full military and historical significance. With detailed maps, a wide range of illustrations, and an extensive index, this book offers a gold mine of information for everyone interested in world or military history.

About the Author

Richard Holmes is Professor of Military and Security Studies at Cranfield University and the Defense Academy of the United Kingdom. A leading military historian, he has presented seven BBC TV series.
Martin Marix Evans is an independent writer who has written numerous books on military history, including Forgotten Battlefronts of World War I and The Fall of France.