The Book of War: 25 Centuries of Great War Writing

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. 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.