Peter Connolly is certainly a great illustrator of ancient warfare. Though, this is not really his book I think his contribution dominates. It's a collection of writings about the systematics of ancient warfare. (How many infantry, hows many archers etc.). And, I must confess to sometimes being overwhelmed and bored by the endless detail of serried ranks of soldiers and how they were organised into units and sub units. (Seems to me that there were almost an infinite way to organise an army. though a few things shone through .......the development of the chariot allowed an archer to become highly mobile; The greek phalanx, when used skilfully and combined with cavalry and light infantry was pretty hard to overcome. Though the macedonians improved on it with longer lances...and it was the Macedonian phalanx that took Alexander on his rampage through Persia and to India.
Not all the authors are equally skilled ....must say I found the sections by Nick Segunda rather heavy going...maybe just a bit too much boring detail. However, the book is saved by the remarkable detailed (and apparently accurate) pictures by Peter Connolly. They are gems and bring the whole to life. It's hard to picture the power of the phalanx in action from old worn relief carvings on walls or columns but with Connolloy's paintings, one can truly become the armchair general. (It would be very hard to come up against that bristling wall of spears).
I also found it interesting how fashions came and went in warfare. The Roman legions were pretty much invincible ...except when they entered the Teutonburg Forest ...or were fighting other Roman legions. But eventually they found themselves up against the Alani mounted on armoured horses ...and began forming up pretty much like the Macedonian phalanx. I found it a bit strange that the romans didn't seem to rely too much on archers yet archers came into their own again with the Mongols and later with the English longbow.
Maybe if there is a weakness in the book it is the paucity of data about logistics; how did these armies provide food and equipment for long expeditions. There is a bit of detail but it seems to me that the actual battle time was very short relative to the time that would have to have been spent in provisioning and transporting armies.
Despite the boring details ...which seem really suited to like-minded individuals......I give it four stars. ( )