Nigel Cawthorne

Very interesting table-top book aiming at providing short information on military formations from ancient to modern times. Each unit is presented on 4 pages with illustrations, important dates and details from lives of some of the important characters from these units.

While descriptions of units up to modern times are good for modern times they seem ... rushed and little bit over simplified.

Also literal translation of Waffen-SS (Weapon-SS (?)) was little bit off-putting. On the good side author gave a correct picture of this notorious formation.

But all in all solid 3.5 stars - for people interested in military units they will find little new things (maybe in some old units from premodern-times) but for new readers (and as an index of sorts) it is good book.

Since 3.5 is not possible I rounded it to 4 because book is rare one on this subject and with this format.… (més)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of the book. First and foremost, I am a fanatic of true crime, assassinations, etc. I've been reading about the JFK assassination for years and have come to my own conclusions. So when a book such as this comes out, of course, I am going to jump all over it. The title says it all in nutshell. Many times one hears that assassinations don't accomplish what the killer(s) set out to do, that is, if they even have an agenda or reason for killing. The murders put forth in this book truly did change the world and the author provides details on just how those changes came about because these people were killed. What i loved about the book is that it shed light on murders I wasn't that familiar with, coupled with the effects of those murders. A truly insightful and fascinating read.… (més)

Grandes batalhas marcam momentos decisivos da História, envolvendo conflitos em que culturas, crenças e ideologias foram razões e justificativas para estes acontecimentos. Algumas batalhas foram ganhas pela superioridade militar, armamentos e números de combatentes. Outras vitórias foram conquistadas graças a uma absoluta recusa em render-se diante das chances devastadoras do oponente. Em muitas delas, as estratégias, as manobras, as táticas aliadas a uma força motivacional extraordinária foram decisivas nos resultados. Este livro relata todas as variedades de campanhas militares: de grandes batalhas marítimas, com centenas de navios e milhares de homens, a inovações tecnológicas, a regimentos isolados que se entrincheiraram e lutaram muito tempo depois que a rendição já seria uma saída honrosa. Todas as grandes batalhas neste livro foram importantes na História: e se qualquer uma delas tivesse tido um final diferente, teria com certeza mudado o curso da história da humanidade. O livro está organizado cronologicamente, para facilidade de consulta, e inclui dezenas de fotografias e ilustrações.… (més)