Encyclopedia of Warfare - From the Earliest Times to the Present Day (Hardcover)

This is a chronological account of the development of warfare from the beginnings of recorded history to the 21st century; explaining the nature of conflict in each era. It takes a multi-faceted approach to the subject, mixing studies of major wars, their significant battles, and the outstanding commanders with discussions of the ever-changing technology of war and the life and experiences of the ordinary soldier. The book is organized in 10 chapters, each of which looks at a particular era in warfare, for example the ancient world, medieval warfare, the US civil war, conflict since World War II. Each chapter includes maps of key battles or campaigns and commentary on battles, personalities, types of troops, and equipment. Sidebars throughout the main narrative focus on particularly noteworthy aspects of the history of conflict. An extensive introduction to the whole work presents an overview of the significant trends and themes that have shaped many centuries of military history.