War in European History [Hardcover]

Michael Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 1976 | ISBN-10: 0192115642 | ISBN-13: 978-0192115645

'Wars have often determined the character of society. Society in exchange has determined the character of wars. This is the theme of Michael Howard's stimulating book. It is written with all his usual skill and in its small compass is perhaps the most original book he has written. Though he surveys a thousand years of history, he does so without sinking in a slough of facts and draws a broad outline of developments which will delight the general reader.' - A. J. P. Taylor, "Observer".

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wars have often determined the character of society. Society in exchange has determined the character of wars. This is the theme of Michael Howard's stimulating book. It is written with all his usual skill and in its small compass is perhaps the most original book he has written. Though he surveys a thousand years of history, he does so without sinking in a slough of facts and draws a broad outline of developments which will delight the general reader."--A.J.P. Taylor, Observer

"Michael Howard...shows that he can spread his range of historical vision as far as an eagle surveying a mountain chain. He covers, in a fewer than 150 pages of text, warfare over a thousand years; and he covers it comprehensively, without trying to be encyclopaedic. He has the true historian's gift for combining the general view and the illuminating detail...This is a book that, for all its brevity, broadens and deepens our understanding of how the world we live in came to be the shape it is."--The Economist

"The beginning undergraduate will find this book a superb introduction; the specialist will find it a stimulating review. Highly recommended for all college libraries."--Choice

"A marvel of concise erudition."--John Shy, University of Michigan

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Sir Michael Howard is Emeritus Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford. He is a noted writer on the subject of war and his publications include: The Franco-Prussian War (1961) (Duff Cooper Memorial Prize, 1962); The Theory and Practice of War (1965); Grand Strategy, Vol IV (in UK History of 2WW, Military series, 1971) (Wolfson Foundation History Award, 1972); The Causes of Wars (1983). --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (June 17, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192115642
• ISBN-13: 978-0192115645
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,511,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Unique, and Dry, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: War in European History (Opus) (Paperback)

This is the first first book I have come across that really delves into the political and economic aspects of military history while not losing a beat in discussing the tactics. Howard does a great job of leading one subject into another, but if you do not have some background in European History, this is not the book to start with. Howard's thematic tool is combatants, such as "War of the Knights," "War of the Mercenaries," etc. While this is effective in converying how one group becomes more important than the previous, he does not really give you a full flavor for why it is changing, concentrating more on weaponry and politics. Overall: read it if you haven't, but make sure you have some background in European history first.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading, July 29, 2005

By 

Hoke (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War in European History (Paperback)

A friend of mine recommended this book to me. At the time it was required reading at West Point and it very well may still be. No other book displays the history of war in Europe in such a concise and complete way. It also shows how the nations of Europe developed and what gave them thier defining characteristics. Anyone with an interest in Western history or military history should own a copy of this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very quick read., March 4, 2001

By 

"jennaratrix" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War in European History (Opus) (Paperback)

A very good, very quick military history overview - hits all the main points without belaboring any, gives the reader a good list of authors to look at after finishing Howard.