The book is well written and reads easily. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of various battles
358059
The book is well written and reads easily.  I especially enjoyed the descriptions of various battles. The maps displayed on kindle are two small to read for detail, but I was motivated to look for outside sources.
3510895
We had purchased one of Bryan Perrett's books at a library sale while on vacation.  We enjoyed it so we checked out a few of his books from our local library.  This book was one of those. It has many interesting stories of battles from the mid-eighteenth century up to the Falklands in 1982.  I wanted to purchase it because it included the story of my father's WWII unit's taking back Corregidor from the Japanese in 1945.  Perrett is able to condense many separate actions into a unified story while keeping most of the details.  We recommend all his books to those who enjoy reading history, especially military history.  The supplier identified the book as new and so it was.  It arrived well within the proscribed delivery time.
4720684
This is a terrific children's book to introduce the store of the battle of Antietam and to get kids interested in the larger Civil War. The writing is clear and interesting without being in the least bit condescending. This will make the book a good read for kids (mine enjoyed it). The pictures used throughout work well with the text and add to the feeling the author is trying to convey. There's at least one on every page, so the read is very quick. There's not a lot of detail on the battle, the tactics, the mistakes, etc., but the story is very well told and none of the important or pertinent facts is left out, including Special Order 191. I especially like the clarity of the maps that illustrate the movement of the troops. This can be hard for adults to keep in their heads (speaking for myself anyway) and having a map that illustrates everything is a must. While many of the pictures show the carnage left over after the battle, none is gratuitous. I'm glad they were included because without them it wouldn't have been a complete description of the battle.

This is a must read for kids looking to learn about the Civil War in general and the battle of Antietam in particular. If you're planning a visit to the battlefield with the family, I'd suggest having the kids read this first. I also liked the bibliography & notes, but I felt that the index was a bit incomplete, focusing primarily on places and names and not so much on concepts, but it is a small book.
476708
This is a narrative and analysis of the Battle of Carthage, Missouri, a small battle leading up to Wilson's Creek. The battle provided an example of Union commander Franz Sigel's tendency to operate without sufficient information and to use a straight-ahead battle approach without much provision for contingencies. It also showed his skill at managing a long fighting retreat. The narratives are clear and easy to follow, the background information is appropriately detailed, especially the accounts of how the two armies came to be there. The authors provide a number of pictures of the extended battlesite today, with captions clearly pointing out the importance of the unspectacular landscape features in the evolving battle. The authors' style is easy and pleasant.
3111488
An easy to read enjoyable book which tells a story of the war from the German perspective.
3680901
The book is written extremely well and is a easy read. It also has many good small notes on the side to challenge the reader.
1556678
I enjoyed reading this book. I have always enjoyed reading history books,  but struggle when the writing in long and dry. This book was neither of those things. I found it to be interesting and insightful. Each chapter was long enough to provide useful information regarding the various wars and battles that were being discussed and to tell the story of each of the soldiers being highlighted without becoming boring or long winded. I  appreciated that a wide variety of soldiers were represented.

 As a woman in her 30's, I will admit that understanding the various wars that our country has been engaged in has not been something that I have excelled at, but after reading this book, I have a better understanding of the different wars and a deeper appreciation for the soldiers who fought in them. My grandfather fought in the Korean War. I was visiting him at about the same time that I was reading the chapter on the Korean War. Because of this,  I was encouraged to discuss his military service with him, which is not something we have ever really discussed before.

It took me a few chapters to get into John McCain's writing style of starting the story midway and then backtracking to tell the beginning and then the conclusion. But overall, I enjoyed his writing style. I also felt like the teaser for some of the chapters suggested a more in depth story was coming, but then the specifics were never shared.

I think that my favorite line from the books is this: " It is disrespectful to sentimentalize war, to make it seem glorious and romantic. When we do, we devalue the sacrifices made in it." I think that this line sums up the feel of the book nicely. I would definitely recommend this book!
639991
This book is not a detailed history or analysis of the battle. What it is a nice, basic overview of the battle and battlefield. The author addresses popular legends (demolishing some) and controversies of the battle. Written in a very conversational manner, the writing is easy to follow - almost like being there with the author and hearing him. This would be a fine book for someone with only casual interest in the subject.
3490701
SOMETIMES THE TECHNICAL LANGUAGE WAS A LITTLE HARD TO FOLLOW BUT I ENJOYED THE CHARACTERS IN THE BOOK AS WELL AS THE DESCRIPTION OF COMBAT.
2737111
I really enjoyed this book.  Although it is fiction, one can feel and see the battles.  It contains some incedible historical details not found in non-fiction works.
4029425
Well written book that will draw you in.  Story is told from both perspectives of the conflict and is a very easy read.  Crowley does a good job setting up the backgound for the final seige and describes unfolding events in detail.  Great book.
1849784
If you interested in an in-depth explanation of the battle this is a good start. The book is well written and highly documented. It is not the opinion of the writer but the opinions of those that were their based on their recollections and insights. Good read!
3368869
This book describes the battles that lead to America's independence. I was worried that the author might get too much into the details of these battles, and that I would get bored quickly. However, Jeff strikes the right balance and ingeniously manages to let the reader understand the strategies, challenges and personal trials and tribulations on both sides of the fight. Although I obviously knew how the story would end, the book kept me in suspense until the very end.
Before reading this book, I read " Rise to Rebellion" from the same author. That book is even more fascinating in my opinion as it describes the many events that lead to America's declaration of independence. Although not necessary, I do recommend reading Rise to Rebellion first. It is definitely one of my favorite books, and a very easy read.
I recommend both books to anyone who is interested in learning more about the history of the United States, but does not have the patience to sift through "dry" history books.
2292979
With respect to how well written and involving this book is I will just confirm what most of the other reviewers have written.  Mr. Pritchard has a writing style that draws you into the book and gives you the feeling of being there.  This is the combined effect of his detailed reporting of the events of the battle and his relating of the thoughts and emotions of the individuals who fought it.  This book is definitely hard to put down.

One of the compelling aspects of the book is that not only does it cover the human aspects beautifully, but it gives fascinating insight into the mechanics of conducting a battle with a modern army.  How remarkable is it that something as simple as maintaining voice communication between two companies within the same battalion is so problematic in this era of advanced technology?  The ability to do so could have completely changed the nature of the battle.
4586637
The british subtitled this book, "The biography of a battle" - which seems to much more accurately describes exactly what this book is - it treats the whole battle as a biography, allowing all the information to speak to build up a comprehensive picture of just what this battle meant - both in the lead up, and in the aftermath.

I would highly recommend this book to others who have not read much about sea battles of this period before. Adkins is enormously readable, his prose flows and is neatly interspersed with quotes of contemporarys both describing the battle, and everyday life where appropriate

The first part of the book is very much about the basics. There is a short introduction to Nelson's colourful life and career, a lot about the life and times of a seaman, and much useful information about life onboard ship in this period. Just what it was like to serve in the Nvy of George III. It was easy to understand the hardships and deprivation when reading this - the shortage of good food - which was generally maggoty or mouldy, or both. The smells from the lack of good sanitation, the terrible water which was unfiltered and stored in uncleaned barrels so that it soon became noxious and full of algae.

It was a hard life for anyone, and even Nelson did not touch land once for at least 2 years. The difference in life for officers and enlisted men was significant though. Conditions, food, clothing, position on board all played a significant role.

So the first part of this book sets the stage for the battle - it also dwells in excellent detail on the political situation, the pending Napoleonic invasion of Britain, the reaction, the blockades by British ships of French and Spanish ports, the lead up battles, such as that of the Nile, and so on.

The battle itself lasted but sixhours, and is discussed almost cannon blow by cannon blow. It is a confusing battle but Adkins is very clear with his detail and makes it enormously interesting. The aftermath of the battle, the messengers attempts to get to London, and the 'fruits' of trafalgar make up the last chapters.

It is a thoughtful book, written, I believe, with an eye on the novice reader. I did not find it talked-down to the reader though. Rather it used the social and military information as complimentary to the build up of the battle, as a reminder to the context it was fought in.

There are extremely useful illustrations and some maps in this to help the reader, they are easily referenced too

Overall I loved this book and will be recommending it to others. Given that we have just passed the 200th anniversary of it, it was published at a significant time and makes excellent reading.
2100308
This is a very enjoyable book to read and offers a detailed and well researched account of the final battle between Sherman and Johnston at Bentonville fought on March 19-21, 1865. This was the last full scale battle between the two opposing armies. The book has 9 maps which are well presented and the battle ones are very easy to understand and follow. Overall this book is a well documentated account of this very interesting and bloody battle.
1017696
As early as the story of David and Goliath, people have loved to root for the underdog.  "Outnumbered: Incredible Stories of History's Most Surprising Battlefield Upsets", Cormac O'Brien, lives up to its title - it introduces the reader to many of the most famous battlefield victories won by the army facing a much larger adversary.

This collection of battles ranges from antiquity through World War II.  O'Brien covers the battles of Salamis, 480 BCE; Issus, 333 BCE; Cannae, 216 BCE; Carrhae, 53 BCE; Alesia, 52 BCE; Tracamarum, 533; Agincourt, 1415; Narva, 1700; Leuthen, 1757; Auerstadt, 1806; Chancellorsville, 1863; Rorke's Drift, 1879; Tannenberg, 1914; and Singapore, 1942.

O'Brien offers the `Cliff's notes' version on these battles.  The author is a gifted writer, which made the narratives very interesting to read.  He begins each chapter with a strategic overview of why the two parties were warring.  O'Brien then moved on into a narrative of the battles.  Where applicable, O'Brien highlights the technological innovations of the historic period that influenced the battle.  In most of the battles, terrain played a key role in the battle, and the author does an excellent job of highlighting how the opponents made use of the terrain.  Winning a battle doesn't necessarily equate to winning the war.  O'Brien finishes each chapter by explaining subsequent events following the battle.

Each chapter has pictures and an occasional map to support the narrative.  My one complaint about the book is the lack of consistency in charts and maps to illustrate the battle.  The chapter on Carrhae has a very good diagram illustrating the Roman formation.  On the flip-side, Narva had a map of northern Europe with only a dot to show the location of the city.

This book would be perfect for the casual reader looking for a collection of great stories about how an underdog army managed to turn the table on their adversaries.  O'Brien does a great job identifying the significance of terrain, technology, and politics for the reader.  He also provides a modest bibliography for the readers who are interested in learning more.