The book clearly explains and illustrates the mechanics of how Roman commanders - at every level - drew up and committed their different types of troops for open-field battles. It includes the alternative formations used to handle different tactical problems and different types of terrain; the possibilities of ordering and controlling different deployments once battle was joined; and how all this was based on the particular strengths of the Roman soldier. Covering the period of "classic" legionary warfare from the late Republic to the late Western Empire; Ross Cowan uses case studies of particular battles to provide a manual on how and why the Romans almost always won; against enemies with basic equality in weapon types - giving practical reasons why the Roman Army was the Western World's outstanding military machine for 400 years.
#471596 in Books Harman; Chris 2008-04-17 2008-04-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x 1.80 x 5.50l; 1.25 #File Name: 1844672387736 pagesRandom House Inc
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. He demonstrates the marxist idea that humans are locked into a war between the rich and the poor; the nobility and the bourgeoisBy Theo112Harman covers a lot of historical ground; from a point of view too often forgotten : class struggle. He demonstrates the marxist idea that humans are locked into a war between the rich and the poor; the nobility and the bourgeoisie; with the proletariat in the end; through a final revolution; liberating all societies. This focus explains a lot; but leaves a lot of events in the shadow. The value of individual freedom; the distortions of communist ideology by so many dictators; transforming a dreamed classless world into a real hell for millions; And when so many religious extremists use their political power to destroy basic freedom; would it not be urgent to defend a new Enlightenment?0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Highly recommended!By CustomerLoved this book. It's a doorstop -- I had to rip it into three parts to be able to read it easily; but it's a page turner; and I read it all.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A thoughtful treatment of history.By Danielle A. JordanI reacquired this because I enjoyed it in paper format. I am eliminating my hard copies of most books because I tire of packing; toting; and unpacking thousand of books whenever I relocate. This alternative narrative of historical events invited thinking about the biased historical facts that I learned as a child. This book places history within a psychosocial context; which seems a more accurate portrayal of the unfolding of the American developmental process; albeit it from an equally important psychosocial context.
