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Title: The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece by Victor Davis Hanson, John Keegan ISBN: 0-520-21911-2 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: 11 February, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.31 (16 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: The cultural genesis of limited war?
Comment: The other reviews on this book have covered more than I could say. This book, for me at least, led to an eye opening "paradigm shift" in European military history prior to WWI. What I saw in this book was the beginnings of cultural obsession with limited warfare for limited gains (as opposed to the later conepts of total war) which dominated western Europe for millenia. Hence, the Western historians' fascination with "decisive" battles which, ultimately, led not to any decisive change in political or cultural institutions (after all, did Waterloo really change French institutions that much?).
Immediately after reading this book, I read "The Devil's Horseman", a history of the Mongol "Invasion" (it was actually a reconnaisance in force) of Europe. I was struck by the baffelment of the Europeans when, after defeat at the hands of the Mongols, they were not offered some sort of terms of surrender. It struck me, after reading Dr. Hansen's work, that the ancient Greeks had passed on much more to Western society than philosophy, trigonometry, or democracy; they had also passed on an idea of limited warfare for concessions rather than absolute destruction of the enemy and the removal of his capacity to resist.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in military history; it is well written (although dry at times), and will provide a new viewpoint from which to consider when reading new books or re-reading old favorites. For the insight alone, it is well worth the investment.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent book on the orgins of western warfare
Comment: This is my second time through the book and it is still an excellent read and provides an engrossing account of the orgins of how warfare in the Greek world was waged and its impact throughout history. On that note I must disagree with George Delke Sr. that the Greeks were not the inventors of this type of warfare and that the Assryians were good at it (if they were the Greeks wouldn't have slaughtered them as often as they did).
Dr. Hanson makes a thorough and thoughful analysis of the Greek hoplites and the way they fought. From the hoplight to the their commander no stone is left unturned. But while the main emphasis on the book itself is the hoplight and Greek warfare in general there is much more to it than just that. The Greek hoplights were not successful because of their bravery or for their numbers, the Assyrians were brave and they outnumbered the Greeks in all their battles, then why was it the hoplight armies were so successful against the Assyrians. It was because of their orginization and their training (this is why I disagreed with the previous reveiwer). This then is the underlying theme to the book, not the heroics of one man but the performance of the whole.
The Greek structure of warfare will go on to conquer almost the whole ancient world under the hands of men like Alexander the Great, Scipio Africanus, Julius Ceasar, and the other great Roman generals of the ancient world. But the traditions of Greek warfare would go on to influence the later nations of the European world and from there the whole of the Western World.
Using a plethora of sources from ancient authors, battles, archeology, and others the author has managed to write an excellent resource that is original, readable, enthralling, and most importantly is its credibility. This is a must have for any student of military history, both professional and layperson alike.
Rating: 3
Summary: Former Western Way of War
Comment: Interesting book, but something seems amiss. While the Greek hoplite way of war may have been an impetus, I don't see it as being carried through to modern times. It seems there is another school that attempts to avoid standing toe-to-toe to fight through the ages - armored knights, fortresses, bow, firearms, and the nails in hoplite fighting coffin - long range artillery, armor, and air power. Still thought-provoking.
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Title: Ripples of Battle : How Wars of the Past Still Determine How We Fight, How We Live, and How We Think by VICTOR HANSON ISBN: 0385504004 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 16 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.50 |
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Title: Carnage and Culture : Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power by Victor Hanson ISBN: 0385720386 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 27 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: An Autumn of War : What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terrorism by Victor Hanson ISBN: 1400031133 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 13 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: The Wars of the Ancient Greeks by Victor Davis Hanson ISBN: 0304359823 Publisher: Cassell Pub. Date: 01 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Soul of Battle : From Ancient Times to the Present Day, How Three Great Liberators VanquishedTyranny by Victor Davis Hanson ISBN: 0385720599 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 17 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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