November 2023 MBR The Military History Shelf

The Military History Shelf

The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix
Tony Sullivan
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399088572, $36.95, HC, 202pp

https://www.amazon.com/History-Roman-Legion-VI-Victrix/dp/1399088572

Synopsis: "The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix: The Original Watchers on the Wall" by Tony Sullivan and published by Pen & Sword Books is the first in depth study on the history of Legion VI Victrix in Britain. Brought over from Germany in 122 to assist in the building of Hadrian's Wall the Sixth Legion remained in Britain until the end of Roman rule. In "The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix: The Original Watchers on the Wall", Sullivan investigates the changing military organization, weapons and warfare as well as the many auxiliary units posted in the north of Britain.

The reader is introduced to those members of the Sixth Legion that are known from inscriptions and literary sources. From lowly legionaries helping to build Hadrian's or the Antonine Wall to Pertinax, tribune of the Sixth, and destined to become Emperor. Case studies will include a praefectus castrorum, Lucius Artorius Castus, along with the legionary bases at York and Corbridge.

During there occupation of Britain, the men of the Sixth witnessed the tumultuous, and often bloody, history of Roman Britain: the border shifting back and forth under Antoninus; barbarian incursions and army mutinies under the murderous Commodus; the bloody civil war against Septimius Severus and the subsequent invasion of Caledonia.

In the last century of Roman rule, the Sixth supported several rival emperors from Constantine the Great, to Magnus Maximus, until finally Constantine III.

This journey through British and Roman history will end with a discussion of the likely fate of the Sixth in the early fifth century after the end of Roman authority.

Critique; A seminal, fascinating, and impressively informative study, "The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix: The Original Watchers on the Wall" is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the evolution of the Roman legion, the empire in general and the history Roman Britain in particular. Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a three page listing of Sources for Images and Maps, four pages of Notes, a four page Bibliography, and a three page Index, "The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix: The Original Watchers on the Wall" is a very special and thoroughly recommended contribution to personal, professional, community, and academic library Roman Britain history collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. "The History of Roman Legion VI Victrix: The Original Watchers on the Wall" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: Tony Sullivan lives in Kent with his wife and children. He spent 31 years in the London Fire Brigade and have recently retired. He has been interested in dark age history and King Arthur in particular for many years. There is a listing of his published books at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tony-Sullivan/a/3739

Cavalry: A Global History
Jeremy Black
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399060899, $36.95, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cavalry-Global-History-Jeremy-Black/dp/1399060899

Synopsis: With the publication of "Cavalry: A Global History", author Jeremy Black covers the role of horses and essential mobility in 'shock action', in warfare in the classical world, in the major civilizations of China and India, Steppe cavalry, in the middle ages with Islamic and European conflict, the 'social politics' in Christendom with knightly valor, and war with non-Christian forces including the Muslim invasion of Europe, Islamic Spain, and conflict with the Mongols.

The early modern period covers the Asia and North Africa and the Ottomans (a major field of warfare continuing up to the modern period) and the time is notable for the introduction of horses in the Americas -- a new phase in cavalry history.

The modern period from Napoleon to the First World War is the history of the mobility of cavalry in European warfare and in imperial expansion and empire-building, but the concept of cavalry 'redundancy' arises in the maelstrom of 1914-1918 with artillery bombardment, trench warfare, and the role of infantry.

The long 'transition' period leading up the present and future is fascinating for both cavalry and infantry, with the development of tanks and armor. And here is a fascinating and original concept of cavalry 'transformation' and not cavalry 'survivalism', with modern and post-modern development of drone warfare (from horses to drones) as a 'new cavalry' for reconnaissance and combat.

Critique: An a seminal, original, and ground-breaking work of impeccable scholarship, "Cavalry: A Global History" will fill a significant gap in the field of military history, and be of immense interest and value students, academia, military buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. "Cavalry: A Global History" provides a comprehensive history of the universal role of cavalry in warfare from earliest times to the present -- and future! Enhanced with the inclusion of a one page bibliography of Selected Further reading, twelve pages of Notes, and a nine page Index, "Cavalry: A Global History" is an essential pick for community and college/university library Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "Cavalry: A Global History" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).

Editorial Note: Jeremy Black has recently retired as Professor of History at the University of Exeter. Graduating from Cambridge with a starred first, he did postgraduate work at Oxford and then taught at Durham, eventually as professor, before moving to Exeter in 1996. He has lectured extensively in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United States, where he has held visiting chairs at West Point, Texas Christian University, and Stillman College. He was appointed to the Order of Membership of the British Empire for services to stamp design. His books include The British Seaborne Empire, Contesting History and Rethinking World War Two.

Clan Battles
Chris Peers
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399070034, $34.95, HC, 184pp

https://www.amazon.com/Clan-Battles-Warfare-Scottish-Highlands/dp/1399070037

Synopsis: Warfare between the clans of the Highlands in the late Middle Ages determined the course of history in this region of Scotland, and "Clan Battles: Warfare in the Scottish Highlands", historian and author Chris Peers' gripping account of it (and of the rivalry between the strongest clans), gives the reader a deep insight into this bloody, turbulent phase in the development of the far north of the British Isles. The battles he describes, all of them fought between the 1430s and the 1540s, were flash points in the long struggle for dominance between the leading clans of the region.

The battles are reconstructed in vivid detail. The first, Druim n Coub, was fought in 1433 between the Mackays and the Sutherlands. Then came Bloody Bay, a sea fight between rival MacDonald factions, Blar na Parc between the MacDonalds and the Mackenzies, Creag an Airgid between the MacDonalds and the MacIains, Glendale between the MacDonalds and MacLeods, and Torran Dubh between alliances headed by the Mackays and Sutherlands. The final battle, Blar na Leine, fought between the MacDonalds and the Frasers in 1544, marked the end of an era.

The subsequent fate of the leading clans, principally the MacDonalds and Mackays, is also covered in a narrative that gives the reader a fascinating new perspective of clan loyalties and conflict which still resonates today.

As well as covering the fighting "Clan Battles" also explains the way war in the Highlands was organized by the contending clans during the period -- the strategies and tactics, weapons and armor they employed. The result is an absorbing all-round account of the military history of the Highlands before the clans eventually lost their independence.

Critique: The sequel to "The Highland Battles: Warfare on Scotland's Northern Frontier in the Early Middle Ages" (Pen & Sword, 2020), Chris Peer's "Clan Battles: Warfare in the Scottish Highlands" features a section of B/W photos, a five page Sources & Further Reading bibliography, and a seven page Index. A work of elegant and fundamental research based scholarship, "Clan Battles" is a welcome, impressively informative, inherently interesting, and recommended contribution to personal, professional, community, and academic library Scottish History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It is also available for students, academia, and military history buffs that "Clan Battles" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).

Editorial Note: Chris Peers is a leading expert on the history of ancient and medieval warfare and has written widely on the subject. He has contributed many articles to military history, wargaming and family history magazines, and his major publications include Warlords of China: 700BC-AD1662, Warrior Peoples of East Africa, Soldiers of the Dragon, The African Wars: Warriors and Soldiers of the Colonial Campaigns, Offa and the Mercian Wars: The Rise and Fall of the First Great English Kingdom, and Genghis Khan and the Mongol War Machine.

The Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC)
Gareth C. Sampson
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781526793621, $34.95, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Pharsalus-48-BC-Caesar/dp/1526793628

Synopsis: In August 48 BC, following the earlier battle at Dyrrhachium, the two greatest Roman commanders of their generation met in battle again at Pharsalus in Greece. Julius Caesar, conqueror of Gaul, had been defeated at Dyrrhachium and forced to retreat but now stood at bay to face Pompey the Great, conqueror of the East. At stake lay the future of the ailing Roman Republic, each man believing he alone had the solution to restoring Republican government.

With the publication of "The Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC): Caesar, Pompey and their Final Clash in the Third Roman Civil War", author Gareth Sampson examines the campaigns which led up to the battle as well as the role played by the various regional powers who got drawn into the Roman Civil War.

The Battle of Pharsalus itself is analyzed in detail to determine the strengths and weakness of both armies and their various commanders, as well as the organization, equipment and tactics of the forces involved in the battle which culminated in a decisive victory for Caesar -- and concludes with consideration of the aftermath of the battle, which saw Pompey murdered in Egypt and Caesar distracted by the affairs of the East.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a section of B/W photos, an Introduction (The Battle of Pharsalus: Winners, Losers, and the Judgement of History), a Timeline (Pre-Third Civil War 70-49 BC), Notes on Roman Names, two Appendices, eight pages of Notes, a six page Bibliography, and a three page Index, "The Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC): Caesar, Pompey and their Final Clash in the Third Roman Civil War" is a welcome addition to the growing library of Ancient Roman Military History studies and highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university collections. It should be noted for students, academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC): Caesar, Pompey and their Final Clash in the Third Roman Civil War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).

Editorial Note: After a successful career in corporate finance, Gareth C Sampson returned to the study of ancient Rome and gained his PhD from the University of Manchester, where he taught history for a number of years. He now lives in Plymouth with his wife and children. His previous books, The Defeat of Rome (2008), The Crisis of Rome (2010), The Collapse of Rome (2013), Rome Spreads Her Wings (2016) and Rome, Blood and Politics (2017) were also published by Pen & Sword.

Military Dogs of World War II
Susan Bulanda
Casemate Publishers
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636243252, $28.95, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Military-Dogs-World-Casemate-Illustrated/dp/1636243258

Synopsis: Animals, especially dogs, have served in all the wars of men since time immemorial. During World War II, most combatant nations employed dogs on the battlefield in a number of ways including searching for injured men or downed airmen; detecting mines; carrying messages between units or dragging communications wires, particularly in difficult terrain; transporting supplies; and sentry duty.

"Military Dogs of World War II" by Susan Bulanda is an illustrated book that provides an overview of how dogs were trained and used in WWII by different countries, including the stories of some of the individual animals that served. It also summarizes the various programs established to take care of the animals and send them home after the war.

Critique: A unique and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/academic library World War II Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, "Military Dogs of World War II" is a fascinating and informative read from start to finish. Profusely illustrated throughout with B/W historic photos, it should be noted that "Military Dogs of World War II" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.49).

Editorial Note: Susan Bulanda (https://sbulanda.com) is an author and certified animal behavior consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and a retired adjunct professor.

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