History Of Warfare: Warfare In The Seventeenth Century

Part of the Cassell 'History Of Warfare' series, a multi-volume history of war and warfare from ancient to modern times.

Changes in the conduct and techniques of war during the 17th century were evolutionary, not revolutionary. Improvements in the design of fortification, prompted by advances in firearms technology, meant that wars grew longer, armies larger and military formations more disciplined. Although weaponry developed from the pike to the socket bayonet and uniformed dress appeared on the battlefield, the modern army was not born in the 17th century.

From the Defenestration of Prague and the multi-faceted conflicts of the Thirty Years War to the wars of Louis XIV, John Childs presents us with a compelling picture of warfare in the 17th century. The author emphasizes those conflicts and campaigns that best exemplify the period. He examines the rise of the standing army before and after 1648 and the difficulties posed by reliance upon mercenary soldiers, before moving on to look at the development of fortifications, especially the work of Vauban, and the conduct of war in the latter half of the century.

In each case the key events and developments are set within their social, political and economic contexts. The volume ends with the author's own reflections on the nature and extent of the changes in warfare during the period.

This fascinating and lavishly illustrated volume is a marriage of excellent narrative and thoughtful analysis. John Childs demonstrates how, in a century punctuated by bloody warfare, the world continued in its evolution from ancient to modern.