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100 Decisive Battles: From Ancient Times to the Present

by Paul K. Davis (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 82 ratings
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From the ancient Egyptian battle at Megiddo in 1469 BC to the recent military actions in Iraq, great battles have had an enormous impact on the shaping of history. Now, in this fully illustrated book, one hundred of the world's most important military confrontations are described in detail. 100 Decisive Battles gives us the facts about the battle and also explains where it fits in to the scope of world history.

In each entry we are given the name and date of the battle, the commanders, the size of the opposing forces, and casualties. An account of the battle plan and the military action are strategically discussed, and each description closes with a valuable consideration of how history was affected by the outcome of the conflict. Among the battles presented are the Battle of Thymbra (546 BC), the Battle of Chalons (451 AD), the Battle of Cajamarca (1532), the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954), and the Tet Offensive (1968). Accompanying maps and sidebars help further orient us with each military action.

Global in scope, with excellent coverage of American, Central American, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern battles, and with its stirring accounts of familiar battles and many lesser known military conflicts, 100 Decisive Battles is essential reading for military buffs and anyone interested in how the modern world came to be.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0195143663
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195143669
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  4. Publication date
    June 14, 2001
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    9.2 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
  7. Print length
    480 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sometimes a battle, such as the one that raged along France's Marne River in 1918, involves hundreds of thousands of soldiers and costs many lives. Sometimes, as in the case of Tippecanoe, a battle involves only a few hundred fighters. Great or small, as historian Paul Davis notes, history has turned on clashes such as these.

In this well-researched compendium, Davis examines battles that have had far-reaching historical consequences. The first entry covers the Battle of Megiddo, which delivered unto the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III an uneasy dominion over Palestine and broadened his empire into Asia; the final entry, set not far from the first, describes the Allied victory over Iraq in Desert Storm, which "denied control of a large portion of the Middle East oil reserves to dictator Saddam Hussein and showed the ability of a multinational coalition to succeed in the post-Cold War world, perhaps setting an example of future international military action." In between Davis considers similarly fateful but often forgotten contests, such as the Battle of Chalons, when another coalition--this one of Visigoths, Romans, and Gallic and Germanic tribes--turned back the huge Mongol army of Attila in A.D. 451, and the Battle of Shanhaikuan, when, in the spring of 1644, China's Ming dynasty fell to Manchu invaders. Davis sometimes prefers sweeping themes to mundane realities (the fact, for instance, that the Battle of Adrianople turned on the recent invention of the stirrup), and his compendium tends heavily toward Europe at the expense of other parts of the world. The illustrations are also of uneven quality and usefulness.

Still, readers with an interest in military history will find this to be a handy reference and overview, and they'll enjoy second-guessing the author, nominating battles that didn't make his hundred while learning from the obscure, but nonetheless critical, ones that he does address. --Gregory McNamee

Review

"This is a very interesting book that concentrates on the greatest battles in world history that have changed the history of mankind sometimes for the better and sometimes for the enslavement of men and governments." --The Lone Star Book Review

"Davis describes significant military actions in detail, telling how world history was shaped by the outcome. The entries are presented chronologically for easy reference." --Troy Record

"Students of military history will find 100 Decisive Battles an important reference to the world's major battles. It covers conflicts from ancient to modern times, providing details on the historical setting, the conflict itself, and its lasting effects. The result will provide a clear reference to any seeking foundation information on military struggles around the world." --Internet Book Watch

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (June 14, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195143663
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195143669
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 82 ratings

About the author

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Paul K. Davis

Paul K. Davis

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Born and raised in San Antonio, I got my BA and MA in history at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State). I went to King's College at the University of London for my doctorate in War Studies. My dissertation was on the British campaign in Mesopotamia in World War I. That was later published as "Ends and Means" by Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. An associate of mine at St. Mary's University in San Antonio connected me with ABC-CLIO, who then contracted me to write "An Encyclopedia of Invasions and Conquests", "An Encyclopedia of Warrior Groups and Fighting Peoples", "100 Decisive Battles", and "Besieged". When Oxford University Press got the sub-rights to Invasions and Battles, they commissioned me to write "Masters of the Battlefield", hoping it would lead to a series of books covering warfare in different time periods. Unfortunately, the series never came to be, but the book on great generals did. I am currently doing background research on books concerning a history of the military in San Antonio and the role of religion in warfare through the ages.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
82 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

willingtolearn
5.0 out of 5 stars The best reference book on military history ever written.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
A colleague borrowed my copy of this book several years ago and never returned it. I was glad to see it was still in print. Aside from the author's obvious bias against the Roman Catholic Church, there is no better reference out there. I take exception with the author's viewponit that Western Europe's interest in seeking an ocean route to the Far East after Constantinople fell stemmed from their refusal to pay high Moslem prices for silk and spices. The price is always too high when you lose your life in the process.
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Barbara fremineur
5.0 out of 5 stars So interesting. Can’t stop reading !
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2023
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This is in chronological order and goes around the world. Necessary book
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A. Krug
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2005
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This book provides, for 100 definitive battles in history, the historical setting, the battle including a short description of it and a diagram or map showing the where the armies were positioned, and the result, the result including the effect on history and what would have happened if the battle had been won by the other side.

It is an excellent reference as well as a good summary of history with all the battles placed in date sequence. It is fun to read. I found myself picking out may favorite battles and then reading the battles before and after. Finally, I found I had read the whole book. When I read a book which refers to a battle, I grab this book for a broad historical perspective. I only wish I had acquired it years ago.
6 people found this helpful
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Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for war historians
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2014
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I am by no means a big war history buff, but this book is great! It gives a very high-level overview as to why a battle was significant, who the commanding armies were led by, giving both insight into how the battle came to fruition (sometimes over a span of 50+ years), along with the lasting mark that that battle had on history. It also goes into granular detail of how each battle was fought, from army formations to types of weapons used to the amount of casualties incurred by both sides.

Good read for someone who wants to learn about how the shifts in power over history have changed due to epic battles across the world! From BC up until the 1990s, this book covers it all!
2 people found this helpful
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Zaba9901
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Summary of Important Battles
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a great read for a Military History buff (of which I am one). It has a nice summary of each battle (anywhere from 3 to 6 pages). Most of them have an accompanying map. Some also have drawings or photographs. It is not a "coffee table" type of book. I greatly enjoy it because I am interested in a summary. If the reader wants a more exhaustive explanation, this is not the book for it. The author does have an extensive Bibliography for more extensive reasearch. It is good reading for a long trip or while waiting in the doctor's office. I recommend this.
7 people found this helpful
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TP
5.0 out of 5 stars this is a book I would highly recommend reading due to its massive list and how detailed ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
As someone who enjoys military history which is so often brushed over in high school classes, this book is a blessing since it helps provide details as to how certain battles brought about the end to some empires and dynasties and ushered in new ones. If you're someone who is a fan of the "Total War" series of video games, this is a book I would highly recommend reading due to its massive list and how detailed each battle is described.
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Yelena Gindes
3.0 out of 5 stars Pure visibility of pictures
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
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Starting from middle pictures o the battles neither visible nor readable. Which makes it not to much fun to read and learn.
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Michael Beck
4.0 out of 5 stars A must If You Like Military History
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2007
Verified Purchase
Ever since I was in high school long, long, ago, I have always wanted to learn about the history of the world, especially about why wars and battles were fought. Although my favorite time and study is the Civil War period and the Confederacy, other periods of history appeal to me. I love military strategy and in this book i found just what I wanted. Mr. Davis does not just explain the battle but before he describes it, he gives to you a background of events and then after a description of the battle, he gives to you all the important results. Then he gives to the reader some important references which I have very much used. You can't go wrong with the purchase of this valuable book. Buy-Read-Enjoy.
3 people found this helpful
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