Matchlocks to flintlocks : warfare in Europe and beyond, 1500-1700 / William Urban.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Urban, William L., 1939-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

War and society--History.

War and society.

History.

Military weapons--Europe--History.

Military weapons.

Military art and science--Europe--History.

Military art and science.

History, Military.

Europe.

Europe--History, Military--16th century.

Europe--History, Military--17th century.

Europe--History, Military--18th century.

Physical Description:

xxiii, 278 pages, 8 pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

London : Frontline Books, 2011.

Summary:

'The writings of François de la Rochefoucauld (1613-80) allow us valuable insights into these times. He is widely credited with having provided the first good examples of fine writing in French, but he was more quoted than read - a reflection of the fact that his Maxims were short, pithy and clever. He was not a typical figure of the times (good models seldom are), but his exaggerated faults and virtues illustrated how colourless most of his contemporaries were. He was a good warrior, but an indifferent commander. He thought too much, and his thoughts were always cynical. This did not mean that he was wrong, but these were poor qualities for a leader - troops want a decisive commander, not a philosopher. Vanity makes some brave, he observed, ignorance others, and fear of shame almost everyone; some are carried away by the crowd, either fleeing in panic or joining in hopeless attacks; some fear the sword, others muskets; and no one dares as much as he would if he were certain he would come through alive and unhurt. Friendships were fleeting, lovers transitory, vain and changeable, and national interest was something entirely foreign. Yet Rochefoucauld was widely admired, even more widely appreciated, and must be ranked among the most insightful and unsuccessful French politicians ever.' Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Warfare in Europe and the Mediterranean in 1500 1

2 Armies and Personnel 29

3 Technology, Weapons and Fortresses, and the Growth of Empires 45

4 The Gunpowder Revolution from Sweden and Germany to Turkey and Beyond 82

5 National Cultures, Courts and the Nature of Warfare 106

6 Years of Intense Conflict 133

7 The Process of Change Accelerates 168

8 The Turkish Wars 197

9 Summary: The Evolution of Warfare 220.

ISBN:

1848326289

9781848326286

OCLC:

765131220

Publisher Number:

99947549726