Men at Arms

MAA046 - The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan

Although the common Roman fighting men themselves have left no account, much literature has survived from antiquity. The wealth of archaeological finds, plus the study of surviving Roman scultpure has allowed hisorians to learn much about the nature of...

MAA079 - Napoleon's Egyptian Campaigns 1798-1801

The imaginative strategic plan of Revolutionary France to cut Britain's lifeline to India by seizing Egypt and the Levant was an epic adventure, set amongst some of the most ancient places of history, then almost unknown to Europeans. The conflicts...

MAA083 - Napoleon's Guard Cavalry

This title examines some of the most colourful and fanciful uniforms in military history, those of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry. The detailed text covers units such as the Grenadiers à Cheval; the Empress's Dragoons; the Chasseurs à Cheval; the Mamelukes;...

MAA085 - Saxon, Viking and Norman

If there is one thing we can be sure of concerning the Saxons, Vikings and Normans who inhabited the medieval world, it is that they were a good deal more advanced than some writings would have us believe. This fascinating book by Terence Wise explores...

MAA097 - Marlborough's Army 1702–11

The succession of the French Duke of Anjou to the Spanish throne in 1700 provoked the formation of a Grand Alliance to thwart the king's expansionist ambitions. Led by the Duke of Marlborough, the army of the Grand Alliance declared war on France...

MAA101 - The Conquistadores

On 12 October 1492 Columbus discovered the New World. In the following decade a number of Spanish colonies were founded in the West Indies, many of the settlers being ex-soldiers. They were a hardy, adventurous and unruly crew, no longer able to find...

MAA109 - Ancient Armies of the Middle East

This text by Terence Wise explores some of the fascinating peoples who comprised the ancient armies of the Middle East: the Sumerians, who were the first to introduce the use of bronze into warfare, and were centuries ahead of the Egyptians in the use of...

MAA113 - The Armies of Agincourt

Henry V became King of England in 1413. He was one of the great warrior kings of the country, cast in the same mould as Edward I and Edward III. He was just, pious, athletic, chivalrous, acquisitive, ruthless and eager to gain honour on the field of...

MAA121 - Armies of the Carthaginian Wars 265–146 BC

The epic conflict between Rome and Carthage remains one of the most compelling stories of military history. The wars included such legendary events as the crossing of the Alps by Hannibal, and the Battle of Cannae. Terence Wise's fine text details the...

MAA122 - Napoleon's German Allies (5)

During the Napoleonic Wars the region of Hesse was divided between Hessen-Kassel and Hessen-Darmstadt. Under Napoleon's patronage, in 1806 Hessen-Darmstadt received all remaining imperial possessions within its borders and was elevated to a Grand Duchy...

MAA129 - Rome's Enemies (1)

These vigorous northern 'barbarians' were the destroyers of the Western Empire of Rome. It was they who delivered the coup de grâce to the dying colossus in the south, subsequently creating medieval Europe, the feudal system and chivalry. Their direct...

MAA130 - Wellington's Heavy Cavalry

Wellington considered the British cavalry to be technically inferior to the French, although paradoxically he also said that one British squadron would be a match for two of the enemy. His main concern was that although the British cavalry lacked neither...

MAA141 - Napoleon's Line Infantry

Napoleon's line infantry was founded upon that of the Ancien Régime. A total re-organisation began on 1 January 1791 with the abolition of the old regimental titles, and over the next two years an increasing number of conscript and volunteer battalions...

MAA145 - The Wars of the Roses

Much myth and fantasy surrounds the events of the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485): a bloody and prolonged dynastic struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster. Terence Wise's fascinating text lays bare the real story, and examines the armies,...

MAA151 - The Scottish and Welsh Wars 1250–1400

On 28 September 1066 William of Normandy landed near Hastings and prepared to meet the Anglo-Saxon army of King Harold Godwinson. On 10 October 1066 the two armies met; and after six hours of fighting what became known as the Battle of Hastings, the...

MAA154 - Arthur and the Anglo-Saxon Wars

The Arthurian Age; the Celtic Twilight; the Dark Ages; the Birth of England; these are the powerfully romantic names often given to one of the most confused yet vital periods in British history. It is an era upon which rival Celtic and English...

MAA158 - Rome's Enemies (2)

In 390 BC, a Gallic army marched on Rome. A confident Roman army of about 15,000 men that was sent to bar the way, was destroyed. Three days after the Battle of Allia, the Gauls entered Rome, much of which they burned, and demanded a huge bounty of gold...

MAA170 - American Civil War Armies (1)

When the Southern states seceded to form their own government in 1861, one of their first moves was to organise an army. The South's fighting men served from the time of their enlistment until the end of the war, receiving poor rations, and even worse...

MAA174 - The Korean War 1950–53

At 4am on Sunday 25 June 1950 powerful North Korean forces invaded South Korea, advancing down the Uijongbu Corridor towards the Southern Capital of Seoul. South Korean troops resisted bravely, but were crushed by overwhelming Northern superiority. Later...

MAA175 - Rome's Enemies (3)

The Parthians were a warrior people. Though possessing no regular army they were superb horsemen and archers, and in time of war the nobility provided heavily armoured knights mounted on weight-carrying chargers. During the Battle of Carrhae (53 BC), it...

MAA180 - Rome's Enemies (4)

The Republican Roman army suffered heavy losses as a result of the 'hit and run' tactics employed by the Hispanics in Ancient Spain. After preparatory chanting, the Celt-Iberians would attack en masse and in apparent disorder. At a pre-arranged signal...

MAA181 - Austrian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2)

The mounted troops of the Hapsburg Empire comprised one of the most powerful forces of the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). However, from the outset the cavalry's higher command was less capable than its infantry counterpart: appointments were influenced by...

MAA199 - Napoleon's Specialist Troops

Though less celebrated than the infantry and cavalry, Napoleon's 'specialist' troops – artillery, engineers and supporting services – were indispensable elements without which no army could have operated, and frequently assumed greater significance than...

MAA200 - El Cid and the Reconquista 1050–1492

The very name El Cid sums up much of the special character of medieval Spanish warfare. It comes from the Arabic al sayyid, master or chieftain, and seems to have been given to Rodrigo de Vivar by his Muslim foes. But was it given in recognition of El...

MAA203 - Louis XIV's Army

Louis XIV's army was in many ways the first modern army. After assuming power in 1661, Louis abolished the post of Colonel Général of Infantry so he could exercise direct control over the armed forces in his realm. The king demanded order, discipline and...

MAA208 - Lawrence and the Arab Revolts

The Great War of 1914-18 is often seen as one major battleground – the Western Front – with numerous 'side-shows'. The other battle zones were not side-shows to those involved, however, although the local inhabitants often fought for motives which...

MAA209 - The War in Cambodia 1970–75

This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of the troops that fought in Cambodia in the 1970s. US and Cambodian forces are all covered, including Special Operations, and the course of the war is summarised. Uniforms are shown in...

MAA217 - The War in Laos 1960–75

As World War II drew to a close, the Imperial Japanese military seized control of Laos, a French protectorate, and encouraged nationalist movements to forestall the revival of French power in the region. Despite these efforts the French re-entered...

MAA220 - The SA 1921–45

In 1919 Adolf Hitler joined the tiny German Workers' Party (DAP) in Munich, becoming its leader the following year and adding 'National Socialist' to its title. Thus the NSDAP, popularly known as the Nazi Party, was born. All political parties had...

MAA226 - The American War 1812-14

Typically the United States is said to have declared war on Great Britain in 1812 because of the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen and the British desire to create an Indian buffer state. An Englishman William Cobbett, described the real cause...

MAA228 - American Woodland Indians

The Woodland cultural areas of the eastern half of America has been the most important in shaping its history. This volume details the history, culture and conflicts of the 'Woodland' Indians, a name assigned to all the tribes living east of the...

MAA239 - Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies

Around AD 1450 a new Mexican nation emerged called the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance. They succeeded in making themselves the most powerful and feared civilisation in the Americas. The Mixtec and Zapotec peoples were contemporaries of the Aztec...

MAA243 - Rome's Enemies (5)

Rome's desert frontier was one where the Empire faced few dangers, for here relations were generally based on a mutual interest in trade across the frontier. Yet when Rome did clash with desert peoples, particularly those of Syria and Arabia, the...

MAA252 - Flags of the American Civil War (1)

The very heart of the Confederate fighting unit was its flag, which came in a variety of designs and colours. The flag was the rallying point on the field of battle and it marked the unit headquarters in camp. In 1865, at the war's conclusion, the...

MAA258 - Flags of the American Civil War (2) Union

The regimental or battery set of colours was more than simply a unit designation, issued for the ease of a commander in identifying his units in the field. It was the very symbol of the regiment; it was its heart, the thing that drew its members together...

MAA262 - The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (2)

Much of the fame of Gustavus Adolphus has founded upon his cavalry. He is said to have reversed the stagnation of European cavalry warfare, giving it back fluidity and vigour. Like much 'Gustavus mythology', however, the truth may well be quite different...

MAA281 - US Dragoons 1833–55

By the late 1820s, furs, land and minerals made the Indian territories west of the Mississippi River an increasingly inviting realm. The vast expanse of the Great Plains, coupled with the fact that many tribal groups of the region possessed horses, meant...

MAA283 - Early Roman Armies

The early Romans were only one of a number of peoples that inhabited Iron Age central Italy. From the 8th to the 3rd century BC, the Romans undertook territorial expansion, and conflict with neighbouring tribes and cultures resulted in open war, most...

MAA289 - King George's Army 1740-93 (2)

The 18th century was marked by a steady growth in central control of the British Army and a corresponding decrease in the influence enjoyed by individual commanding officers. The most obvious sign of this process was the increasing uniformity of the...

MAA292 - King George’s Army 1740 - 93 (3)

The 18th century was marked by a steady growth in central control of the British Army and a corresponding decrease in the influence enjoyed by individual commanding officers. The most obvious sign of this process was the increasing uniformity of the...