Customer Reviews

A Military History of the Western World: From the Earliest Times to the Battle of Lepanto (Da Capo Paperback) Vol. 1

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

War is perhaps the one social aspect that has influenced history more than any other. From the Greeks, to Alexander, to the Roman Empire, entire civilizations have been established or toppled by war. As such, any person who wishes to truly understand human history, and in particular, the history of western civilization, should at least be familiar with the military aspect.

Fuller was a general in the British army, and he displays complete mastery of the causes, strategies, and the repercussions of the most important battles in history. This first volume concentrates on ancient warfare up to the naval battle of Lepanto in the 15th century.

What makes the reading so fascinating is that Fuller not only summarizes the important battles, but he frames them within their context in how they influenced and changed history. Preceding each major military struggle is a short summary of the conditions which laid the groundwork for the battle. Additionally, Fuller concludes each chapter with a short analysis of the historical repercussions of the battle. It is here where you will learn why Alexander the Great's victory over Darius and the Persian Army was the most influential battle ever fought, or how how Rome slowly disintegrated after the reign of Julius Caesar, or what the effects of the fall of Constantinople were on Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.

This is the first volume of a three-volume set which chronicles the major wars up to World War II. I can think of no other written account of military history which is at once so encompassing, and yet so readable. Highly recommended!

Ginn from Arizona has written a fitting summary for Fuller's book. I would like to add my appreciation for the author's balance of the historical context with a complete account of the tactics, battle plans, decisions, and actions that carried the battles for one side over another.

I teach history on the college level, and while most textbooks teach the causes and effects of wars or battles, they sacrifice the details due to consideration of space. In many cases, the details of military conflicts pique students' interest in the event, and aid in remembering the impact of particular clashes or struggles. Yet most military histories overload readers on detail, as if the battle is the whole story. Fuller strikes a wonderful balance between the two purposes, and his book has earned a place of considerable importance on my reference shelf.

This review is for all three volumes collectively:

I. Earliest times to Lepanto
II. Spanish Armada to Waterloo
III. American Civil War to the end of WWII

Fuller's coverage is comprehensive, hitting all the traditional battles considered for one reason or another turning points of history, from the ancient Egyptians down through WWII. In between the chapters on actual battles, he includes essays that discuss the political, societal and military developments leading up to the next battle.

Fuller does inject his opinion into many places. This might put off some readers but I believe it is expected of the honest historian to let his personal views show through.

The volumes should be first read through completely, in order to give the military history enthusiast a broad background of knowledge, regardless of their particular area of interest. Then, they can be kept as a reference.

This is a classic work which should be read by any serious student of military history. Fuller's writing is of the British officer class of a bygone era, which means some of his views or opinions may not be pass the politically correct litmust test! In particular the chapter concerning the Christian Kingdoms of the Crusades has a famous quote whereby Fuller attributes part of the reason for their decline was due to mongrolization with the local Arab women! Fuller was a bit of an outcast in his day despite his earlier involvement in the development of mechanziaed warfare in WW1 and his later writings of between the world wars. The narrow mindedness of the British peace time army did not go over well with him. His theories of modern tank warfare were considered too radical for the establishment. Fuller would quit the army and in a controversial move join the British Facist Party. He was also something of a mystic, and no doubt had other personality quirks as well. The Germans would pay greater attention to his writings in the 1930s than the British. Sadly ironic, and one can see perhaps why he grew frustrated with regimental life.

Not withstanding some personal observations which certainly do add color, much of what he has to say about warfare is quite fascinating. Fuller has a knack to sum up entire periods of military doctrine and innovation as it pertains to the cultural or societal ethos of an historical period. This enables his prose to flow elegantly from one historical period to another. The reader can appreciate the full depth of events and entire periods very easily.

The main strength of this book is its sheer size and scope. Major battles that in the author's mind were pivital turning points in History are discussed in some detail. Smaller linking chatpters outline the societal and political forces that were in play and serve to connect the events. As with any book of this nature some may consider that certain battles and periods deserve greater mention than others. Also, the emphasis of this work is decidedly Occidental, or Western European in outlook. The East and Orient figure only in so much as it impacts on Western Military outlook. Again, perhaps somewhat biased, but no more so than similier works who tend to concentrate on those other areas of the world. This series can also serve as a wonderful reference as each chapter is almost self-contained. A reader needing a refresher of the Crusades for example can read that chapter and get a pretty good summation.

This is merely the 1st volume of 3 which goes from antiquity up to the great naval battle of Lepanto in 1571. The reader is strongly urged to read the entire series as it stands as a classic of its kind. With this work one can get an almost complete view of Western Military History. Its a graduate course in Military History!