Besieged: An Encyclopedia of Great Sieges from Ancient Times to the Present

(Hardback)

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Description

Siege warfare dates back to the earliest annals of military history. From prehistory to modern times, walls have been built in strategically important places to protect people and property, and attackers have targeted those same walls in order to gain not only wealth, but also power and strategic advantage. From Jericho to Grozny, armies have surrounded, or attempted to surround, opponents usually in cities but often in field fortifications. The book looks at some of the most important sieges in history, examining the actions of both attackers and defenders, exploring the motivations of both, as well as surveying technical and tactical innovations, and the conditions both inside besieged positions and in the besieger's ranks.

Author Bio

Paul K. Davis holds a Ph.D. from Kings College, University of London, in war studies. He teaches history at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.