The personality of a general is indispensable; Napoleon once said. "He is the head; he is the all; of an army." In Masters of the Battlefield; Paul K. Davis offers vivid portraits of fifteen legendary military leaders whose brilliance on and off the battlefield embody this maxim.Hailing from the earliest days of Greek warfare to France at the turn of the nineteenth century; these men stand out for their tactical abilities--generals who made a difference in combat; grasping the way an enemy would think or move and reacting not just to ensure victory; but do so in the face of superior forces. Among the leaders discussed in this encompassing work of military history are Alexander the Great; Hannibal; Scipio Africanus; Belisarius; Chinggis Khan; Oda Nobunaga; the Duke of Wellington; and Napoleon Bonaparte. Davis briefly explores the biography of each commander; considering how his upbringing; early experiences; and social and cultural background might have translated into his leadership abilities. Relying on vast research; Davis describes the nature of armies and warfare of the time; from the phalanx battle of Ancient Greece to the artillery-heavy Swedish army under Gustavus Adolphus. He also examines the course of the wars in which each general fought as a background to the particular battles that best illustrates their abilities; and discusses each battle in detail; aided extensively by detailed battlefield maps. Davis concludes each section with an analysis of the tactical skills and principles at which each general excelled. In analyzing these remarkable leaders; Davis offers a picture of warfare throughout history; and shows this history to be directed--and oftentimes wholly decided--by the abilities of a single man. Masters of the Battlefield tells the stories of men who defined eras; reshaped nations; and who; through the introduction of new weapons and tactics; revolutionized the nature of warfare.
#1930301 in Books Glenn W LaFantasie 2007-11-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x 1.30 x 9.00l; 1.48 #File Name: 0195331311448 pagesGettysburg Requiem The Life and Lost Causes of Confederate Colonel William C Oates
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. "A Truant Disposition"By N. LangenbrunnerWilliam C. Oates; the subject of Glenn LaFantassie's "Gettysburg Requiem" is a bundle of contradictions: born poor; died wealthy; apparently racist; secretly intimate with his black servant; a respected attorney and newspaper publisher but shot and killed a man; wounded six times in battle but rose no higher in rank than lieutenant colonel; saw Lincoln's election as a danger to the South; lamented Lincoln's assassination. LaFantasie's research reveals a Confederate hero whose life was characterized by anger; violence; guilt;inconsistencies; weaknesses; and relentless struggle for success. Oates may well be described as one of those souls who can resist anything but temptation. The book's bibliography is a compendium of excellent Civil Warsources; the research seems to be as complete as anyone could compile; and the presentation is as clear and easy to follow as the subject matter will allow. Those who have climbed Little Round Top at Gettysburg; who are fascinated with the battle between the 20th Maine and the 15th Alabama; who want to know more about the post-war conflicts between General Joshua Chamberlain and "Colonel" Oates over the placement of monuments on the battlefield will find "Gettysburg Requiem" required reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Book for History LoversBy Kathryn L. BaileyBought it for my husband as he had relatives who were there; as well as many of his friends had relatives who fought in the war. VERY INTERESTING to see their names in print!!!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Easy readingBy AlexPAWilliam Oates was certainly a complex man. He was often prone to.violence; but deeply loved his brother John. He rose from a difficult and abusive childhood to become an attorney . This is a well researched book on one of.the minor figures in the Confederate army. A very enjoyable.and.educational read.
