The Book of War by John Keegan

The Book of War

25 Centuries of Great War Writing

John Keegan

Penguin Publishing Group · Print & ebook · November 1, 2000

Acclaimed military historian John Keegan’s anthology of war writing from 25 centuries of battle In The Book of War, John Keegan marshals a formidable host of war writings to chronicle the evolution of Western warfare through the voice of the most eloquent participants—from Thucydides’ classic account of ancient Greek phalanx warfare to a blow-by-blow description of ground fighting against the Iraqi troops in Kuwait during the Gulf War.

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Who it’s for
More than eighty selections trace Western warfare through the voices of its participants across twenty-five centuries.
Genres
Military History, Other Military Conflicts, Essay Collections
Published
Penguin Publishing Group, November 1, 2000

About this book

Acclaimed military historian John Keegan’s anthology of war writing from 25 centuries of battle In The Book of War, John Keegan marshals a formidable host of war writings to chronicle the evolution of Western warfare through the voice of the most eloquent participants—from Thucydides’ classic account of ancient Greek phalanx warfare to a blow-by-blow description of ground fighting against the Iraqi troops in Kuwait during the Gulf War.

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Keegan gathers more than eighty selections, including Caesar’s Commentaries on the Roman invasion of Britain; the French Knight Jehan de Wavrin at the battle of Agincourt; Davy Crockett in the war against the Creek; Wellington’s dispatch on Waterloo; Hemingway after Caporetto; and Ernie Pyle at Normandy. “The best military historian of our generation.” –Tom Clancy “A monumental piece of literary military history.” –Chicago Tribune A brilliantly edited and comprehensive anthology."—The New York Times Book Review.

Voices of War

More than eighty selections trace Western warfare through the voices of its participants across twenty-five centuries.

Come here for

  • Thucydides on Greek phalanx warfare
  • Wellington’s dispatch on Waterloo

Expect

  • Accounts ranging from ancient Greece to the Gulf War
  • Writing by soldiers, historians, and war correspondents

Where it sits

Military History77%
Other Military Conflicts41%
Essay Collections38%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Military History
  • Essay Collections
  • Military Policy & Defense
Authors
John Keegan
Publisher
Penguin Publishing Group
Published
November 1, 2000
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Military History