John Serrati

A coffee table book on ancient warfare. “Ancient” here refers to the Mediterranean Classical world, nothing from China or India (except Alexander’s battle with Porus on the Hydaspes). Sections on infantry, cavalry, command and control, sieges, and naval warfare. Battle maps are color, full page or page and a half, but are difficult to follow, with successive positions indicated by numbered text and arrows from the margins; it might have been better to use smaller maps but more of them to show unit movements. I was able to follow things because I already knew how all the battles worked out. Not bad if you want a one-volume book but if you have a serious interest I’d would go with books covering the individual battles. A short bibliography, mostly of other general works. A useful glossary, especially for Persian terms. No foot- or endnotes.… (more)

Its an interesting and surprisingly dense book on fighting in the ancient world. The text is primarily tactical and its discussion of equipment, and combat skills supplement the discussion of tactic which of course makes a lot of sense because what you have often determines what you can do. Informative but can be a bit of a laborious read mostly because you hear about the Romans and Greek and fertile crescent civilizations all the time. Its a great entry point for those interested in military history.… (more)