War ElephantsElephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years. Asian powers boasted of their pachyderm power, while the Romans fielded elephants alongside their legendary legions but were, perhaps, too proud to admit that mere animals contributed to victory. Elephants have gored, stomped, and sliced their way through infantry and cavalry with great success. They have also been cut, speared, bombed, and napalmed for their efforts. This is the story of their largely forgotten role in the history of warfare. Generals throughout recorded history have used elephants as tanks, bulldozers, and cargo trucks long before such vehicles existed. Until gunpowder began to reduce the utility of elephants in battle during the 17th Century, these beasts built roads, swung swords, or simply terrified opposing forces. Although some believe that elephants were mere gimmicks of warfare, Kistler discredits that notion. His book hopes to give elephants the credit they deserve for the sacrifices they have endured. Elephants have long fought for and served human masters, but it is now the elephants themselves that must be protected. |
What people are saying - Write a review
This book is quite interesting was I am extremely interested in history.My favourite animal is the elephant(I have adopted one).
And so I have read part of this book.It is excellent and I salut the gentle men John M Kistler for all of his hard work on researching this topic
Awesome awesome book on an awesome topic.
Contents
Useful Orphan | 1 |
Early Contests | 7 |
Beauty and the Beasts | 14 |
Fill of Blood | 19 |
Improvements | 21 |
The Elephant Mystery | 25 |
The Horror | 31 |
Alexanders Opinion | 38 |
Africa versus Asia | 135 |
Day of Slaughter | 141 |
Weapons of Massive Destruction | 146 |
Guerrilla War | 151 |
The Running of the Bulls | 156 |
Pompeys Circus | 159 |
The Herd of Julius Caesar | 161 |
Arrogant Emperors | 167 |
Death on the Nile | 42 |
Elephants Marching | 47 |
Siege | 54 |
Cavalry Killers | 58 |
The Elephant Industry | 68 |
Unmitigated Gauls | 75 |
The Elephant of Surprise | 80 |
Flaming Pigs | 87 |
Chaos in the Streets | 93 |
War Elephants of Carthage | 97 |
Proud Mahouts | 101 |
Cruelty and Inhumanity | 104 |
The Lions Brood | 107 |
Dangerous Waters | 110 |
Treacherous Paths | 115 |
The Best Laid Plans | 119 |
Stalemate | 123 |
Hasdrubal | 126 |
Romes Genius | 130 |
Sackcloth Ashes and Prayer | 170 |
Breach of Faith | 174 |
The Year of the Elephant | 177 |
Early and Medieval Asia | 181 |
Charlemagne and Frederick | 187 |
Plump and Ready | 191 |
Mongol Hordes | 197 |
Pyramids of Skulls | 202 |
Thais Burmese Khmers and Others | 206 |
The Great Mahout | 210 |
Beasts of Burden | 220 |
Mighty Engineers | 225 |
Targets of Opportunity | 230 |
Epilogue | 235 |
Endnotes | 237 |
Glossary | 289 |
Bibliography | 292 |
315 | |