Overview

This book, first published in 1977, presents a comprehensive survey of the upheavals experienced in warfare from 1793 to the end of the twentieth century, a period that saw many fundamental changes – from the Napoleonic wars to the advent of total war, guerrilla and nuclear warfare. It discusses in detail the main aspects of warfare – battles, weapons, and people. It concentrates equally on all three, not emphasising one aspect at the expense of the others, and allowing cross-references between them so as to fit them into the general pattern of development. Also included are other factors essential to an understanding of modern warfare, such as technological items, and conceptual entries such as basic strategy and tactics, and various military theories and principles.