Defeat in Detail: The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912-1913 (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "After the Crimean War, the Balkan Peninsula became the focal point of both Ottoman domestic and Ottoman diplomatic problems..." (more)
Key Phrases: Turkish General Staff, Vardar Army, Eastern Army (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[T]his is a critical and balanced analysis that serves two purposes: it contributes to the historical reconstruction of the Balkan wars while enhancing the reader's understanding of Ottoman military thinking at the outbreak of the First World War, an event that so deeply affected the future of the middle east.”–War in History

“The book is based on a careful and informed reading of a broad range of secondary sources and official publications in Turkish, English, and German. Erickson's style is direct, practical, dispassionate, and balanced, and his clear structure makes for a detailed but readable account. This significant and welcome contribution to the literature on the Balkan Wars should prove useful for all students of military history.”–The International History Review

“Defeat in Detail succeeds on a major scale to present the first accurate picture ... of the Ottoman Army during the Balkan Wars. Erickson does an excellent job of not only narrating the military engagements of the war, but also of contextualizing the development of Ottoman arms in light of major events in the Balkans ... Defeat in Detail is sure to be a welcome addition to the library of any war buff or those interested in the history of the Balkans at a turbulent and fascinating time.”–balkananalysis.com

“Positive and negative aspects of the Turkish Army and its performance, plus its force structure and doctrine are chronicled, but the inescapable conclusion is that it failed the supreme test on the battlefield. Superbly researched, with excellent maps, informative tables, and descriptive chapter endnotes, Defeat in Detail makes a major contribution to Turkish and Balkan military history.”–Military Heritage

“[E]xceptionally well produced....Erickson fills a gap in the literature with a detailed consideration of the reasons for Ottoman defeat through reviewing operations at a micro level from the perspective of their corps. No one is more qualified than he to undertake such a study....[a]s a campaigns history this volume is hard to fault. It builds its case brick by brick, and the sectionalized approach renders it easy to follow. Highly recommended. builds its case brick by brick, and the sectionalized approach renders it easy to follow. Highly recommended.”–Middle East Journal

“[C]ontribution Erickson has made in opening up a neglected field of study for historians.”–The Journal of Military History

Product Description

No critical analysis has ever examined the specific reasons for the Ottoman defeat. Erickson's study fills this gap by studying the operations of the Ottoman Army from October 1912 through July 1913, and by providing a comprehensive explanation of its doctrines and planning procedures. This book is written at an operational level that details every campaign at the level of the army corps.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (February 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275978885
• ISBN-13: 978-0275978884
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #822,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written in Detail, November 13, 2003

By A Customer

This book tells the story of the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars using mainly the Turkish resources. Well researched in great detail and covering many aspects of these wars, it is an important contribution to that period of the European history. Although there are many typographical errors (mostly Turkish) and missing a general area map showing all the critical geographical names mentioned in the book, it completes Richard C. Hall's recent book on the same subject.