Covering period of little more than 150 years, from fall of Constantinople to Polish-Russian wars, this book gives a very good overview of evolution of military thought and technology. This is by far the best book I read that gives short overview of the events and military evolution of the period (because to be honest for every part of the story there are at least 2 or 3 books of same size for those interested in the full details). Interspersed we find stories about renown names of military thought and science at the time, from nobles (like William the Silent) to mercenary captains (like John Smith). Together with this author stresses how cruel and savage wars became, with forces of thousands of soldiers invading countries getting paid by pillaging the countryside, burning and killing off the entire cities. This was time of mercenary captains who would fight one day for one side, next day for the opposition and then come back and be hired by their original employers. Life was cheap and war was perpetual.

We follow how might of artillery and gun-powder slowly changed the front-line landscape but also how proven old methods like use of well drilled cavalry lance charges, infantry organized in "boxes", like Spanish tercios or Swiss pike formations followed by German Landsknechts, proved their value time and time again even when confronted with modern firepower. Book proves that no matter the technological advancements if they are not practical or cannot be put to work en-masse to make a difference (I especially liked the chapters on reiters and cavalry caracole maneuver) it is discipline and drill of soldiers that will always prevail.

I recently read another book, one about the Cataphracts and evolution of this type of heavy cavalry and only comment I had was that book lacked graphical elements - it was well written but without graphics and pictures that would enrich the text.

Here we have no such situation. Book is beautiful, with great color photographs, especially of fortifications that became more and more sophisticated in this period, and black and white contemporary graphics of people, battlefields and fortified cities.

Highly recommended to everyone interested in birth of modern military. Do note that if you seek details, bibliography provided is extremely rich and provides a starting point for further reading.

Excellent book. ( )

I found this to be an entertaining survey of the period in question, as the author does a fine job of lining the emergence of drilled infantry, the impact of artillery on siege warfare and the transition from the knight to the heavy cavalryman to specific campaigns. ( )