Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity through the Twenty-first Century [3 volumes]

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Lead Reviewer: Dr. Daniel Coetzee, Independent Scholar, London, UK Review Board: Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, UK Dr. Frances F. Berdan, Professor of Anthropology, California State University, San Bernardino David A. Graff, Associate Professor, Department of History, Kansas State University Dr. Kevin Jones, University College London Dr. John Laband, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Dr. Carter Malkasian, Center for Naval Analysis Mr. Toby McLeod, Lecturer in Modern History, University of Birmingham, UK Dr. Tim Moreman, Independent Scholar, London, UK Professor Bill Nasson, Department of Historical Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa Dr. David Nicolle, Honourary Research Fellow, Nottingham University, UK Dr. Kaushik Roy, Lecturer, Department of History, Presidency College, Kolkata, India Dennis Showalter, Professor of History, Colorado College Dr. Stephen Turnbull, Lecturer in Japanese Religious Studies, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Leeds University, UK Professor Michael Whitby, Professor of Classics and Ancient History, University of Warwick, UK Over 8,500 battles and sieges are covered-easily the most exhaustive reference source on this basic aspect of military history. Thoroughly vetted by an expert board of period and regional experts, this dictionary offers easy to find A-Z entries that cover conflicts from practically every era and place of human history. In addition to exhaustive coverage of World War II, World War I, the American Civil War, medieval wars, and conflicts during the classical era, this dictionary covers battles fought in pre-modern Africa, the Middle East, Ancient and Medieval India, China, and Japan, and early meso-American warfare as well. Going well beyond the typical greatest or most influential battle format, The Dictionary of Battles and Sieges offers readers information they would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Entries were reviewed by area and period experts to ensure accuracy and to provide the broadest coverage possible. Jaques's Dictionary is truly global in scope, covering East Asia, South Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Africa, Mesoamerica, and North and South America. Battles from wars great and small are in the dictionary, including battles from this very brief sampling of wars covered, listed to give an idea of the book's deep coverage: Egyptian-Syrian Wars (1468 BC); the Assyrian Wars (724 - 648 BC); Greco-Persian Wars (498 - 450 BC); the Conquests of Alexander the Great (335-326 BC); Rome's Gallic Wars (121-52 BC); Han Imperial Wars (208); Hun-Ostrogoth Wars (454-68); Sino-Vietnamese Wars (547-605); Mecca-Medina War (624-30); Jinshin War (672); Berber Rebellion (740-61); Viking Raids on, and in, Britain (793-954); Sino-Annamese War (938); Byzantine Military Rebellions (978-89); Afghan Wars of Succession (998-1041); Russian Dynastic Wars (1016-94); Reconquista (1063-1492); Crusader-Muslim Wars (1100- 1179); Swedish Wars of Succession (1160-1210); Conquests of Genghis Khan (1202-27); William Wallace Revolt (1297-1304); Hundred Years War (1337-1453); War of Chioggia (1378-80); Vijayanagar-Bahmani Wars (1367-1406); Ottoman Civil Wars (1413-81); Mongol-Uzbek Wars (1497-1512); German Knights' War (1523); Burmese-Laotian Wars (1574); Cambodian-Spanish War (1599); King Philip's War (1675-77); Franco-Barbary Wars (1728); Bengal War (1763-65); French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1801); Chilean War of Independence (1813-26); Boer-Zulu War (1838); Indian Mutiny (1858-59); Mexican-French War (1862-67); Sino-Japanese War (1894-95); World War I (1914-18); Anhwei-Chihli War (1920); World War II (1939-45) Mau Mau Revolt (1955); 2nd Indo-Pakistani War (1965); Angolan War (1987-88); 2nd Gulf War (2003- ).

Reviews

This impressive three-volume set describes 8,500 battles and sieges from the Battle of Megiddo in 1468 BCE to the battles of the Second Gulf War in 2003. Defining a battle as any clash between organized forces of combatants, the set includes both major battles and minor skirmishes. Although it concentrates on land battles, the dictionary includes a selection of sea and air battles. The name, year, and war associated with the battle are stated at the outset of each 50-60-word entry (a length adhered to for all entries, regardless of the scale or impact of the battle). The entry describes the course of the engagement, the commanders involved, and the outcome. Each entry concludes with the specific date of the battle or siege. Arranged alphabetically, entries are extensively cross-referenced, with boldface type directing users to related entries. The dictionary includes 2,500 cross-reference entries for alternate names of battles. Use of the dictionary is greatly aided by the Chronological Reference Guide, which arranges the battles in chronological order according to the name of the particular war. The dictionary is supported by a 24-page bibliography and a detailed name index. Highly recommended. All levels. * Choice *
New Zealander Jaques has rendered a great service to history by compiling the most detailed list of battles worldwide ever published. Defining a battle as a clash between organized forces of combatants, he notes that some have been epic engagements lasting weeks and involving millions while others were frontier skirmishes. Entries for the 8500 battles listed include name and date of the battle, name of the war, context, commanders, and outcome. * Library Journal *
This three-volume work includes 8,500 battles and sieges from the Egyptian-Syrian Wars in 1468 B.C to the second Gulf War of 2003. The author, an independent scholar, was assisted by an editorial board, the international make-up of which reflects the work's focus. Eastern and Western history are given equal space, resulting in a truly comprehensive perspective.[t]his is highly recommended, as the international focus and comprehensive nature will make it a useful source for all students, amateur, and professional historians. * Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin *
With such a remarkably broad coverage, on nearly every page one suspects that even the specialist in military history will find a battle - and sometimes a ware - that they do not know of. * Reference Reviews *
This three-volume work alphabetically lists 8,500 individual battles from across the world's recorded history, from the Battle of Megiddo in 1468 BC to the US invasion of Iraq. Making no attempt to distinguish or categorize the different battles, the author includes the following information in the entries: the name and date of the battle, the name of the war and the basic military context in which the battle was fought, the opposing commanders (if known), and the outcome of the fighting. A chronological reference guide to all the battles included precedes the alphabetical entries. An appendix lists significant wars that did not have major recorded battles. A bibliography and an index are also included. * Reference & Research Book News *
The Dictionary of Battles and Sieges offers readers information they would be hard-pressed to find anywhere elseJaques' book is truly global in scope, overing East Asia, South Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Africa, Mesoamerica, and North and South America. * Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard *

Author Bio

Tony Jaques is an independent scholar. Mr. Jaques was born in New Zealand and graduated in political science, then started his professional life in journalism in New Zealand and London, before moving to political speechwriting. He now works and teaches in the field of Corporate Communication and Issue Management, where he has published extensively, for a Fortune 500 company. A schoolboy enthusiasm for World War II became a lifetime passion for military history in all eras. He is currently a resident of Melbourne, Australia.