Spartacus Review

Volume 32: 25th April, 2009

Military History

Title: Sniper: A History of the US Marksman

Author: Martin Pegler

Editor:

Publisher: Osprey

Price: £17.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: United States Army

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Following on, from the success of "Out of Nowhere: A History of the Military Sniper", Martin Pegler gives us an in-depth study of the emergence of American rifleman, sharpshooter and sniper, examining the evolution of the rifle in America from the earliest firearms of the 15th century, to the highly accurate sniping rifles of the 21st century. Pegler analyses the technological development of the rifle, sighting systems and ammunition and uses contemporary accounts to describe how the use of the rifle during the Revolutionary War, Civil War and the conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries have impacted on US military history. This detailed account concludes with a study of the American sniper in modern warfare, including Afghanistan and the ongoing conflict in Iraq, providing an overview of the march of weapons technology, as well as an unusual insight into the lives and the motives of the men who used them.

Title: Belisarius: The Last Roman General

Author: Ian Hughes

Editor:

Publisher: Pen & Sword

Price: £25.00

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: The Romans

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A military history of the campaigns of Belisarius, the greatest general of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Justinian. He twice defeated the Persians and reconquered North Africa from the Vandals in a single year at the age of 29, before going on to regain Spain and Italy, including Rome (briefly), from the barbarians. It discusses the evolution from classical Roman to Byzantine armies and systems of warfare, as well as those of their chief enemies, the Persians, Goths and Vandals. It reassesses Belisarius' generalship and compares him with the likes of Caesar, Alexander and Hannibal. It will be illustrated with line drawings and battle plans as well as photographs.

Title: The Roman Army of the Principate

Author: Nic Fields

Editor:

Publisher: Osprey

Price: £16.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: The Romans

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The Imperial Army established by Augustus drew heavily on the nomenclature and traditions of the late Roman Republic, but was revolutionary in its design. He decided to meet all the military needs of the Empire from a standing, professional army. Military service became a career: enlistment was for 25 years (16 in the Praetorian Guard), and men were sometimes retained even longer. The loyalty of the new army was to the emperor and not to either the Senate or the People of Rome. Imperial legions became permanent units with their own numbers and titles and many were to remain in existence for centuries to come.

Title: The Worldwide History of Warfare

Author: Tim Newark

Editor:

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Price: £19.95

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: English Civil War

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The Worldwide History of Warfare combines historical engravings, diagrams and artwork with an engaging modern text to create a visual study of humankinds extraordinary capacity for ingenuity in inventing new ways to wage war. The history of military hardware is interjected with fascinating diagrams of tactics and famous battles, which alongside an extensive glossary of terms creates a complete grammar for the school of war. Navigational features include tabs with detailed cross-references and timelines of key battles and inventions, which aid the reader in exploring the complex battleground of the history of warfare from ancient times through to the American Civil War.