Military History of Western World (From the American Civil War to the End of World War II) (Paperback)

~ J. F. C. Fuller (Author) "While the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars ploughed up the remnants of European feudalism..." (more)
Key Phrases: strategical centre, armoured group, torpedo aircraft, First Army, Port Arthur, Second Army (more...)

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: 666 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 21, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306803062
• ISBN-13: 978-0306803062
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #485,587 in Books (See Bestsellers 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 (NJ) - 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.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than a Military History, March 3, 2002

By	Wolfgang P. May (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Those who wish to understand not only the military history but also the underreported political undercurrents of those times will love this book and read it over and over again. By examining the failures by both military leaders and politicians in understanding the obvious lessons of their relatively recent past, they will gain valuable insights into our current condition.