A Military History of the Western World (From the Defeat of the Spanish Armada to the Battle of Waterloo) [Paperback]

J. F. C. Fuller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Major General J.F.C. Fuller (1878-1966) was one of the most important and original military thinkers of this century. He served as lieutenant in the Boer War, organized the first British tank corps in World War I, and developed the strategy and tactics of tank warfare which were later put to such effective use by the Nazis for their World War II blitzkriegs. His many books include A Military History of the Western World (3 volumes), The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant, Julius Caesar: Man, Soldier, and Tyrant, and The Generalship of Alexander the Great, all of which are available from Da Capo Press/Perseus Book Group.

Product Details

• Paperback: 572 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 22, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306803054
• ISBN-13: 978-0306803055
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent analysis of western history, March 21, 2000

By 

Julian Flynn (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Military History of the Western World (From the Defeat of the Spanish Armada to the Battle of Waterloo) (Paperback)

I must disagree with the poor review given by a fellow Amazon customer who described the book as a "British feel-good book" that focused only on British military victories. First of all, any book describing Western military history during the given time period must examine British military history. Britain was a major player, for better or for worse, in Western (and global) economic, political and military activity. Ignoring Britain's role during this time period would make for poor history.

It should also be noted that for a career British soldier the author was remarkably open minded. His fluency in French, use of French sources and the attention he pays to Napoleon's attempt to crush oppressive British trade with his Continental System points to authorship which is not merely cheerleading for British imperialism but an evenhanded analysis of military history.

It should also be noted that this book is the 2nd installment of a trilogy. All three are excellent and if you still need to be convinced that Fuller was not a mouthpiece for British Imperialism, read his account of the causes of WWII where he identifies Anglo-American loan-capitalism as a major factor.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of 2000 years of Military History, May 10, 2000

By 

Silambs - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Military History of the Western World (From the Defeat of the Spanish Armada to the Battle of Waterloo) (Paperback)

There are some reviews that I don't understand. One of them from an earlier reader is one such review. The three volumes, taken as a whole, are excellent. They are not a British only, Britain is great, Britain is wonderful, history. Volume two does start with the Spanish Armada and ends with Waterloo, two British victories. However, in between, Fuller does write about other nations victories and British defeats. Isn't the British defeat at Saratoga relevant? Fuller goes to great length to discuss it.

And yes, it is a Eurocentric view of military history. But, he states that this is what he has written about in the title: "Military History of the Western World"

His descriptions of the battles are excellent and clearly written. He understands how to describe the battles Clare and concisely. He cuts through the fog of war to show us the battlefield, the generals and the men.

The major flaw is in his analysis of what some of these battles mean, particularly in regards to the World War Two and the postwar world. Concentrate on his descriptions of the battles, and it is an excellent journey through two thousand years of military history.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fuller's Classic No 2, December 3, 2011

By 

Roger Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Military History of the Western World (From the Defeat of the Spanish Armada to the Battle of Waterloo) (Paperback)

Fuller continues his sweeping Military History of the Western World in this 2nd Volumne of the series. In this book the master takes us from the Spanish Armanda all the way up to Waterloo. This covers the crux of Warfare in the 17th and late 18th Centuries.

The familier format is followed here as before. Fuller concentrates are a central highlight for each period and provides linking chapters to show social, scientific, military and even intellectual developments for the era concerned. While an eccentric officer in his day, Fuller is a wonderful writer when it comes to Military History. He is able to compare and summerize entire periods brilliantly. Those who think he is pro-British should read his chapters on the American Revolution. They are full of praise for Washington, with considerably less for his British counterparts. Although here Fuller rightfully faults the British command system more than anything else. He actually gives a lot of credit for the daring of Burgoyne's 1777 Campaign despite its failure. There are fine chapters here on Frederick The Great and the battles of Rossbach and Leuthen, as well as the earlier 30 Years War with excellent analysis of Gustav Adolfus and the Swedish military reforms of the time.

The narrative is equally strong with Marlborogh and the battle of Blenheim, as well as Peter The Great and his decisive victory over the Swedes at Poltava. The middle 18th century is left out a little and unfortunately not much is said about the great Marquis de Saxe in the War of the Austrian Succession and the epic battle of Fontenoy.

The book concludes with an extensive look at Napolean's early victory at Jena-Auerstadt, as well as the later debacles at Leipzig and Waterloo. A great chapter on Nelson at Trafalgar is also provided.

Throughout Fuller is masterful in providing comparison and criticism. The only weakness in a series like this is that its scope tends to be strategic and thus generalizations are often made. Less is also provided on tactics and formations that troops assumed in these periods. But these are surely minor points in what is otherwise a superlative work. For sweep, continuity, and sheer good historical writing Fuller is a classic that should be read by all. Those who think otherwise are fools!