The author of this illustrated history of professional military personnel begins by noting that “It is hard to conceive a future with no fighting. . . . There will be violence and those whose business is its management now assume a more important place in our societies than ever before.” Likewise, he contends, “the skills and qualities of the professionals in the ordered application of force” are also more important than ever; it is therefore critical to understand the history and role of the military over time.

Thus the author takes a look back over the past four thousand years, employing over 180 illustrations to trace the rise and development of the professional soldier. Following the Introduction, chapters include:

Knights and Mercenaries
Armies of the Nation State
Prussia and Napoleon
The Nineteenth-Century Officer
Society and the Soldier 1914-18
Today and Tomorrow
Leadership

This intimate look at the nature of soldiers themselves rather than a focus on wars generally or battles in particular allows the author to focus on who the soldiers were and why they fought, and what happened to them during war and afterwards. While the book certainly needs updating, it will still make a good addition to any military library. ( )