Overview

A History of Artillery traces the development of artillery through the ages, providing a thorough study of these weapons. From its earliest recorded use in battle over a millennium ago, up to the recent Gulf War, Balkan, and Afghanistan conflicts, artillery has often been the deciding factor in battle. Black shows that artillery sits within the general history of a war as a means that varied greatly between armies and navies, and also across time.

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9781538178195

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A History of Artillery is packed with detail. This work is based on a mastery of classic and modern literature, highlighted by the inclusion of important extra-European material. The strategic, political, and economic contexts are always in the foreground. Black moves easily between the western tradition, which usually dominate such studies, and the experience of other cultures. Black has written an original and timely global history on the important role artillery have played in the grand strategy of great powers. Examinations of artillery tend toward the specific, with emphases on particular conflicts, however, placing them within the wider development of society and culture correctly fits them into human history. Black also posits artillery developments as markers of advancement and developing state power. Black is a brilliant historian. I know of no one else who has the knowledge and analytical skills to carry out this ambitious project, nothing less than a global history of artillery. He is able to cut across cultures and eras with a skill that is unmatched. He is a careful historian, known for his accuracy. He is also a gifted storyteller, able to write for a general as well as specialist audiences. He is able to write in a clear and direct way. He pulls together and makes accessible a great deal of information. Furthermore, he is an insightful strategic analyst, who leaves the reader with important finding.

A History of Artillery is packed with detail. This work is based on a mastery of classic and modern literature, highlighted by the inclusion of important extra-European material. The strategic, political, and economic contexts are always in the foreground. Black moves easily between the western tradition, which usually dominate such studies, and the experience of other cultures.--Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, King's College, London Black has written an original and timely global history on the important role artillery have played in the grand strategy of great powers. Examinations of artillery tend toward the specific, with emphases on particular conflicts, however, placing them within the wider development of society and culture correctly fits them into human history. Black also posits artillery developments as markers of advancement and developing state power.--Jeffrey Meriwether, Professor of European, African, and Military History, Roger Williams University Black is a brilliant historian. I know of no one else who has the knowledge and analytical skills to carry out this ambitious project, nothing less than a global history of artillery. He is able to cut across cultures and eras with a skill that is unmatched. He is a careful historian, known for his accuracy. He is also a gifted storyteller, able to write for a general as well as specialist audiences. He is able to write in a clear and direct way. He pulls together and makes accessible a great deal of information. Furthermore, he is an insightful strategic analyst, who leaves the reader with important finding.--John Maurer, Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy and served as the Chair of the Strategy and Policy Department at the Naval War College

"A History of Artillery is packed with detail. This work is based on a mastery of classic and modern literature, highlighted by the inclusion of important extra-European material. The strategic, political, and economic contexts are always in the foreground. Black moves easily between the western tradition, which usually dominate such studies, and the experience of other cultures. --Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, King's College, London A History of Artillery, by noted military historian Jeremy Black, is yet another tightly written, extensive, and entertaining book on military history from this prolific author. In it, he traces the development of artillery from its pre-gunpowder origins through the Cold War. -- ""The New York Military Affairs Symposium"" Black has written an original and timely global history on the important role artillery have played in the grand strategy of great powers. Examinations of artillery tend toward the specific, with emphases on particular conflicts, however, placing them within the wider development of society and culture correctly fits them into human history. Black also posits artillery developments as markers of advancement and developing state power. --Jeffrey Meriwether, Professor of European, African, and Military History, Roger Williams University Black is a brilliant historian. I know of no one else who has the knowledge and analytical skills to carry out this ambitious project, nothing less than a global history of artillery. He is able to cut across cultures and eras with a skill that is unmatched. He is a careful historian, known for his accuracy. He is also a gifted storyteller, able to write for a general as well as specialist audiences. He is able to write in a clear and direct way. He pulls together and makes accessible a great deal of information. Furthermore, he is an insightful strategic analyst, who leaves the reader with important finding. --John Maurer, Alfred Thayer Mahan Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy and served as the Chair of the Strategy and Policy Department at the Naval War College The book is abundant with details that only a historian like Black can provide. It comes highly recommended for a broad readership, particularly for officers of all ranks and branches. It is also replete with significant insights that extend beyond the history of artillery, making it an exceptionally engaging read for any reader. -- ""Storia Militare Contemporanea"""

Author Information

Jeremy Black is professor emeritus of history at the University of Exeter. His books include The Importance of Being Poirot; The World of James Bond; and A History of the Second World War in 100 Maps. He lives in Exeter, United Kingdom.

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