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The other day. . .

. . . a like-new used copy of this wonderful book by David Chandler arrived with the daily mail. A few weeks ago, I asked a question here about how troops fought during the early part of the 18th century – before the rise and prominence of Prussia’s Frederick II. Among all of the great information that several of you sent my way, Paul Robinson of Grimsby, England recommended this particular book (Many thanks, Paul!). Well, like any good wargamer/amateur historian/one-time graduate student, I immediately began looking around for a used copy of said book.

Briefly, The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough examines thoroughly what took place on battlefields in Europe, in theory and in practice, between about 1690-1750 with regard to infantry, cavalry, artillery, and combat engineering. The book also explains how recruiting and training were accomplished as well as discussing various weapon and the resulting tactical innovations that took place during this period.


Mr. Chandler focuses primarily on the English and French armies, but he also makes connections and comparisons to the armies of Russia, Austria, Sweden, and Prussia where appropriate. All of this is fascinating stuff and enables one to learn what came before Frederick the Great and Napoleon I even later. I haven’t put down the book since it arrived!


Together with the various works by Christopher Duffy on warfare in the 18th century, The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough by David Chandler helps to present a comprehensive picture of military practice and innovation in Europe during this period. If you have not already doe so, find and/or place an order for a copy through your local library, or better still, track down a used copy in a second-hand bookshop or online and add it to your own book collection.

Comments

tradgardmastare said…
Stokes,
it stands upon my shelf next to the Duffy volumes! It is excellent and I am not surprised that you are becoming an avid fan of the work.
Enjoy!
Alan
MurdocK said…
While Chandler became famous for his Napoleonic works (and they sold rather well too!) he is often quoted as saying this book was his favourite both to write and to research.

I believe he considered it his best work.
Bluebear Jeff said…
Stokes,

I have a copy, but strangely enough I have not yet read it.

Your review moves it up a considerable way on my "to read" stack. Thank you.


-- Jeff
..can I suggest also the immediate purchase of "Marlborough as Military Commander" by the same author .. outstanding stuff...
David Morfitt said…
Curious, Stokes. Quite a number of us also recommended it as well as Chandler's "Marlborough as Military Commander" some time ago in reply to your post here: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=33020106&postID=7434795783760902564

I did wonder if you missed that as you did not reply in that thread.

David.
Hi David,

Yes, you are indeed correct! Several of you did mentione thee Chandler titles to me. Thanks to you and others who suggested them. I've been so impressed with the first that I'll likely track down to send and try to purchase teh second as well. Please excuse my oversight! My only excuse is poor memory in this case. Mia Culpa, and thank you again.

Best Regards,

Stokes
Apparently, my other excuses should be that I am a bad speller and poor typist too! Sigh.

Stokes
David Morfitt said…
That's fine, Stokes - just hate to see good replies go apparently unnoticed! ;-) Thanks for the response.

I'm glad you like the Chandler books!

(Oh and my typing is also often dreadful, so you are not alone; as in this sentence, I find myself retyping the d*****d thing several times!)

All the best,

David.

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