The Oxford History of the British Army

Book Overview

From the Napoleonic Wars to the battle of the Falklands, from the pike and musket to the Challenger tank, The Oxford History of the British Army brings to life the far-reaching history of this long-lived institution.
This definitive one-volume reference provides a wealth of historical detail as it takes readers on a lively journey through the annals of the British Army. Here are vivid descriptions of all the famous military campaigns and battles--from Agincourt and Crecy, to Trafalgar, Waterloo, and Yorktown Heights, to Dunkirk and D-Day--as well as insightful portraits of the great commanders, including Edward I, the Duke of Marlborough, Cromwell, the Duke of Wellington, and Field Marshall Montgomery. Military experts and military history buffs will be particularly interested in the special sections that highlight vital aspects of the Army, including tactics, weaponry, and major figures. Finally, the volume boasts a distinguished roster of contributors, including not only prominent military historians, but also former servicemen, who provide expert technical insight and vivid, eyewitness accounts of modern soldiering and warfare.
Comprehensive and authoritative, The Oxford History of the British Army will fascinate military history buffs as well as anyone seeking a broader understanding of British or modern world history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192853333
• ISBN13: 9780192853332
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 492 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.6" x 1.2" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

A Concise History of the British Army

This one volume history uses a series of essays by different authors to tell the history of the British Army. Each author has a somewhat different approach, no doubt reflecting his particular expertise, but the overall quality of writing is excellent This is not a battlefield history of the British Army. While some key battles are described, the focus of this history is on policy and strategy for resourcing and employing the British Army. There is associated discussion of politics internal and external to the Army as they relate to the formulation of policy and strategy. The chapters on the First and Second World Wars are particularly well written. Those readers closely following current U.S. policy and strategy in the War on Terrorism will find interesting parrallels in the role of the British Army in safeguarding the Empire through a series of low and medium intensity conflicts. Those interested in defense transformation will find some interesting perspectives in the British struggle to rationalize the role of the Army since the end of the Cold War.

Best one-volume history to date.

Drawing upon the scholarship of some of today's most distinguished military writers, this handsomely produced work recounts the evolution of the Army, in its social and political context, from the medieval period to the present day. Every major development and conflict is explained thoroughly and special subjects such as the Imjin battle are treated in 42 box features. The admirably comprehensive text in enhanced with many rare drawings, maps, photos, a generous selection of color plates, and more. Highly recommended for general readers and specialists alike.