From Spear to Flintlock: A History of War in Europe and the Middle East to the French Revolution

(Hardback)

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This is a survey of the history of war in the Eurasian world from classical Greece to the French Revolution. Defining the period as the era of pre-industrial warfare, Frederic Baumgartner describes the broad differences, as well as the similarities, in the armies through those 2000 years. He suggests that the Greek hoplite, the Roman legionary, the nomadic horse archer, the medieval knight, the Swiss pikeman, the early musketeer, and other military types have more in common with each other than with the soldier of the 20th century. Although he concentrates on the wars and military systems of western Europe, Baumgartner devotes considerable attention to those societies that had a significant impact on European warfare. The Byzantine Empire, the Arabs, the Central Asian nomads, and the Ottoman Turks are examined as are the countries of eastern Europe. Naval history is well integrated into the work with special attention given to galley warfare in the Mediterranean between Christendom and Islam. Fortification and siegecraft are also discussed extensively. Baumgartner has produced a significant original synthesis of scholarship on military history. It is not a series of biographies of great commanders or studies of the tactics of great battles, although a number of battles are examined in some detail to illustrate the tactics, fighting style or weapons system typical of a particular era. Baumgartner is more concerned with illuminating the close relationship between social and economic change and military change throughout history. The work should be useful as a textbook for a college-level course in military history or as supplemental reading for classes in Western civilization.

Reviews

Baumgartner's book is a good source of information for beginning students of Western civilization, European history, or military history. Baumgartner writes in a quick-step style, moving from epoch to epoch. He has the unique ability to condense a great deal of material yet still be comprehensive in his coverage. Baumgartner describes weaponry, military formations, and leaders of the various periods of European history, at the same time giving background to the political and historical events of these times. The book covers military developments from the Greek phalanx to medieval warfare, the rise of naval warfare, Cromwell's New Model Army, and the wars of Frederick the Great, as well as other interesting historical events. Excellent maps, illustrations, and a very good list of suggested supplementary readings are included.-Choice
From Spear to Flintlock is designed for use as a text to supplement an undergraduate course in military history and it suits its purpose well. In clear and concise prose, Baumgartner moves steadily through the centuries, examining the major battles and military leaders of each period.-The Historian
"From Spear to Flintlock is designed for use as a text to supplement an undergraduate course in military history and it suits its purpose well. In clear and concise prose, Baumgartner moves steadily through the centuries, examining the major battles and military leaders of each period."-The Historian
"Baumgartner's book is a good source of information for beginning students of Western civilization, European history, or military history. Baumgartner writes in a quick-step style, moving from epoch to epoch. He has the unique ability to condense a great deal of material yet still be comprehensive in his coverage. Baumgartner describes weaponry, military formations, and leaders of the various periods of European history, at the same time giving background to the political and historical events of these times. The book covers military developments from the Greek phalanx to medieval warfare, the rise of naval warfare, Cromwell's New Model Army, and the wars of Frederick the Great, as well as other interesting historical events. Excellent maps, illustrations, and a very good list of suggested supplementary readings are included."-Choice

Author Bio

FREDERIC J. BAUMGARTNER is Professor of History at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. He is the author of Henry II King of France, Change and Continuity in the French Episcopate, and Radical Reactionaries. He has contributed articles to Sixteenth Century Journal, Journal for the History of Astronomy, and Annals of Science.