The Cambridge History of Warfare

Front Cover
Geoffrey Parker
Cambridge University Press, Aug 29, 2005 - History - 515 pages
A compelling subject, war is common to almost all known societies and almost all periods of history. The Cambridge History of Warfare is a comprehensive account of war in the West. The combined effort of seven leading experts, this book treats the history of all aspects of the subject: the development of warfare on land, seas, and air; weapons and technology; strategy and defense; discipline and intelligence; mercenaries and standing armies; cavalry and infantry; chivalry and blitzkreig; guerrilla assault and nuclear warfare. It places in context particular key elements in the history of armed engagement, from the Greek victory at Marathon, through the advent of gunpower in medieval England and France, to the jungle warfare of Vietnam and the strategic air strikes of the Gulf War. Throughout, there is an emphasis on the socio-economic aspects of military progress and how these help explain the rise of the West over the past two millenia to global military dominance.
 

Contents

Genesis of the Infantry 600350 BC
15
From Phalanx to Legion 350250 BC
30
The Roman Way of War 250 BCAD 300
46
II
59
On Roman Ramparts 3001300
61
New Weapons New Tactics 13001500
84
The Gunpowder Revolution 13001500
101
III
115
Towards World War 18711914
249
The West at War 19141918
278
The World in Conflict 19191941
314
The World at War 19411945
338
The PostWar World 19452004
362
The Future of Western Warfare
413
Reference Guide
433
V
435

Ships of the Line 15001650
117
The Conquest of the Americas 15001650
131
Dynastic War 14941660
148
States in Conflict 16611763
167
Nations in Arms 17631815
189
IV
217
The Industrialization of War 18151871
219
VI
445
VII
455
The Contributors
477
Notes
481
Index
491
Copyright

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About the author (2005)

Geoffrey Parker is the author or editor of more than twenty-five books. He is Andreas Dorpelan Professor of History at Ohio State University.

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