Military Experience in the Age of Reason

by Christopher Duffy

Book Overview

First published in 1987. War in the 18th century was a bloody business. A line of infantry would slowly march, to the beat of a drum, into a hail of enemy fire. Whole ranks would be wiped out by... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1853266906
• ISBN13: 9781853266904
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Combined Publishing
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Following the Fife and Drum

This book is a contribution to what might be called the anthropological school of military history. It is about a time when the modern organized society was just beginning, and the timeless system of hierarchy and patronage was coming to an end. When Europe was ruled by theoretically absolute monarchs who practically had less power then a modern government because of the resistance of entrenched custom. When wars were simple power struggles, commanded by noble-born officers who came because that was what nobles did. And fought by soldiers who seem to have quite reasonably regarded the army as another form of workhouse. The military culture of the eighteenth century is described in detail. It was made by it's time and place and took it's characteristics from it. In some ways it was like the modern military, in others it was like the medieval. And in others perhaps it would not be recognizable to either. Above all it shows the eighteenth century soldiers as human figures with faults and virtues. Some officers were the sort that gave the Old Regime a bad name, being corrupt or cruel. Others were intelligent, cultured, and compassionate. Some men were pillagers and vandals. Others were honorable men who took pride in their calling. But whoever they were, the author gives a picture of their life as they marched with weary feet along the road of war.

An invaluable window to history

Christopher Duffy has produced one of the finest introductions to a period of military history ever published. Writing in a highly enjoyable, almost conversational style, he guides the reader through every phase of military interest during the mid-eighteen century. Citing numerous first persons accounts, written by kings and captains, princes and privates, Professor Duffy offers insight not found in many military histories. This book is highly recommended to anyone interested in the Seven Years War, American Revolution, or the evolution of Napoleonic tactics. Historical wargamers will find the book especially enlightening.

Excellent

I've just recently discovered Duffy's works and I like them. Though he writes about a variety of military history topics his primary focus is the 16th - 18th centuries and the type of warfare they fought. It's always been an area that has interested me, but I never found much quality and in-depth material.Christopher Duffy has corrected that problem. This book takes every aspect of the military experience from 1715 - 1789 and looks at it in great depth. The officer, the common soldier, the general, campaigns, battles etc. It's very readable and beautifully researched. Each before mentioned topic has it's own chapter as do many others in the book and they all recieve equal attention. It works as both a survey book for the general reader and a in-depth study for the more knowledgable scholar. I reccommend it strongly. If one is wondering about any quibbles I may have, and there always are quibbles, it would be that the book could have used some illustrations, but that's a minor quibble indeed. If your interested in this subject or just military history in general you could do far worse than buying this book.

Linear Warfare

Christopher Duffy is a definite authority for this period of history and this volume is a must for all students of the period. Additionally, students of the Napoleonic period should read this book as it gives the background, both practical and thoeretical, that led to the Revolution in tactics and strategy that was Napoleonic warfare.Crisply written, thoroughly researched, this book is a great read, packed full of excellent material, and is an asset to every library. My only complaint is that I would have liked more material on the American Revolution.The age of 'limited warfare' as it is sometimes called is generally misunderstood. Its battles, however, were savage, bloody affairs and the author brings this point out, as well as painting an excellent picture of the age of which he writes. It is a benefit to all students of military history that Duffy's books are being reprinted and that he is still writing and producing excellent history.If you haven't read this book, you are missing out both on excelent history and an intellectual treat.