The Military History Book

This book is an outstanding and beautifully illustrated catalogue of war throughout the ages, with great illustrations of weapons, armour and tactics from the earliest times to the present day. So far, I have found but one flaw (HMS "Warspite" (on which my grandfather served) was NOT sunk by a German glider bomb, but was sufficiently badly damaged to require major repairs), but it's hard, perhaps even impossible, to get a book so ambitiously comprehensive as this completely right.It's saddening because here between two covers one sees the incredible (and now incredibly expensive) means men have developed to kill other men with whom they have no personal quarrel. The deadly combination of the rise of the modern nation state and that of industrial society and the means of mass production has given rise to the deadly wars and industrialised death of the last two centuries, starting with the American Civil War. It was Clausewitz who said that war is merely policy continued by other means - if we can't get what we want (and naturally deserve) by talking, we'll get it by fighting. That mentality is still with us, so sadly weaponry and its use will continue, and so will the enormous waste of talent and resources that this represents. This book is a salutary reminder of that waste, and of the fact that Isaiah's vision of swords beaten into ploughshares is far away.

Bought for my military library.

Great birthday present for my young nephew who has an interest in military history

I would reccomend this illustrated guide to anyone interested in military history. It contains hundreds of superbly photographed genuine artefacts, high quality reproductions and models. The text clearly states where reproductions have been used. As a guide to the development of weaponary over the centuries the book is outstanding, including, as it does, some very rare and interesting weapons. A delight for the person with a general interest in all things military, the model maker and those who love fine arms. Although seemingly expensive the production values and the sheer quality of illustration makes this volume well worth having on you shelf.

Excellent product, with really good illustrations...perhaps a bit too advanced for a 12-year old grandchild...sophisticated enough for adults with special interests in war, warfare and weapons...Eurocentric, of course, written from the point of view of the victors, and with emphasis on the modern era, from about 1900 to now....(wonder how a text on the same subject would have looked, if written/compiled by a Maori, Tutsi, or Zulu writer, or by any historian from any of the many conquered peoples?)...but, within those limitations, very good, instructive and informative...all products by DK we have bought have been excellent...so also this one...

I keep trying to put this on bookshelf but every time I pick it up I get sucked in again. Fascinating, beautiful quality paper, glossy lots of pictures just wonderful book

The book was absolutely fantastic my grandson was delighted with it

Got this for my military loving husband. He was very happy with it & 4 year old likes looking at it too.Bigger than I thought it'd be- you get a lot of bang for your buck.

So amazing book and complete book. So many amazing pictures and drawings. A must have.

Very informative and enjoyable book. Good for history lovers.

O livro é absolutamente lindo, dizem pra não julgar um livro pela capa, mas a capa maravilhosa e dourada já é um sinal do que se encontra dentro.O interior é como a exposição de um museu, com as várias peças em fotografias enormes e detalhadas, cada uma com uma descrição do que é e da sua importância relativa ao momento histórico. Como numa mostra, painéis intercalados mostram a linha do tempo e detalham o período das peças e os principais desenvolvimentos e tecnologias da época.São centenas de peças que cobrem todos os períodos históricos desde a idade da pedra até o séc. XXI. Um livro apaixonante, mesmo que mostre a realidade horrível da guerra.

Worth ! And good printing

Muy completo. Hce referencia a muchas batallas que fueron hitos desde el punto de vista de avance técnico militar. Muy buen acabado, es un libro con peso, de los que nos gustan a los amantes de los libros técnicos tipo enciclopedicos. Buenos graficos e ilustraciones.