<i>The Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare: The Triumph of the West</i> (review)
Toby Burrows
Reviews 231 seems reasonable to describe both as products of a traditional (and oralderived ) system versification' (p. 124). A m o n g the many other acute observations in this book I single out just few. new Aldhelm attribution, elegiac mode, is established on prosodic and stylistic evidence. Indications Aldhelm's familiarity with hexameter scansion when preparing his octosyllabic Carmen Rhythmicum combine documentation successive re-workings borrowed diction suggest relative chronology for total corpus. N e w evidence adduced that, while pilgrimage Rome, instigated compilation versified inscriptions from churches monuments. The array writers known Anglo-Saxons has been widened include Prosper Aquitaine others. That Northumbrian Southumbrian institutions differed their teaching Latin verse composition inferred discrepant incidences favoured metrical patterns. Conversely, good furnished that Bede Ecclesiasticum works. All all, makes major contribution knowledge important implications well beyond narrower Anglo-Latin specialism. Orchard successfully rehabilitates resourceful, ingenious, influential, understudied author, unjustly outshone perhaps by romantic aura clings Caedmon. Orchard's promised study influence Carolingian will be awaited interest. This produced exceptional care. exposition was uniformly lucid noted only an insignificant number typographical, spelling, punctuation, errors. Congratulations are place all concerned. Russell Poole Department English Massey University Parker, Geoffrey, ed., Cambridge Illustrated History Warfare: Triumph West, Cambridge, Press, 1995; cloth; pp. 408; R.R.P. AU$59.95. 'War', wrote Clausewitz, 'is act violence intended compel our opponent fulfil will.' In its destructive violent continuity, exploits Assyrian Tiglath-Pileser strongly reminiscent wars later twentieth century: 232 Their fighting men cast down midst hills, like gust wind . blood caused flow valleys high places mountains burned city fire whole laid waste, destroyed, turned into heaps ruins. Geoffrey Parker contributors have attempted cover history these three thousand years warfare most part they do so very thoroughly carefully. If there theme work, it West come dominate globe largely because Western way war effective. introduction, identifies five characteristics effectiveness: discipline, innovation technology, defeat enemy military goal,financialmechanisms long-term credit, formation state. Other, non-Western approaches not discussed or compared. These themes used structure book, however, nor always woven explicitly individual essays. proceed chronologically part, organised four 'ages': massed infantry, stone fortifications, guns sail, mechanised warfare. Interestingly, perhaps, really essays himself gunpowder revolution ships line more thematic approach separated chronological. essays, chronological dominates emerge passing. experts theirfields:Victor Davis Hanson Greeks Romans, Bernard Bachrach Christopher Allmand Middle Ages, John Lynn eighteenth century, Williamson Murray d world, course Early M period. Indeed, Parker's chapter dynastic between 1494 1660 best thing masterly summary facets time—tactics, logistics, weaponry, rise professional armies, uniforms, role religion—as excellent account the...
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