History has tended to measure war's winners and losers in terms of its major engagements; battles in which the result was so clear-cut that they could be considered "decisive." Cannae; Konigsberg; Austerlitz; Midway; Agincourt-all resonate in the literature of war and in our imaginations as tide-turning. But these legendary battles may or may not have determined the final outcome of the wars in which they were fought. Nor has the "genius" of the so-called Great Captains - from Alexander the Great to Frederick the Great and Napoleon - play a major role. Wars are decided in other ways.Cathal J. Nolan's The Allure of Battle systematically and engrossingly examines the great battles; tracing what he calls "short-war thinking;" the hope that victory might be swift and wars brief. As he proves persuasively; however; such has almost never been the case. Even the major engagements have mainly contributed to victory or defeat by accelerating the erosion of the other side's defences. Massive conflicts; the so-called "people's wars;" beginning with Napoleon and continuing until 1945; have consisted of and been determined by prolonged stalemate and attrition; industrial wars in which the determining factor has been not military but matériel.Nolan's masterful book places battles squarely and mercilessly within the context of the wider conflict in which they took place. In the process it help corrects a distorted view of battle's role in war; replacing popular images of the "battles of annihilation" with somber appreciation of the commitments and human sacrifices made throughout centuries of war particularly among the Great Powers. Accessible; provocative; exhaustive; and illuminating; The Allure of Battle will spark fresh debate about the history and conduct of warfare.
#260649 in Books Edward E Curtis IV 2009-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.40 x .60 x 8.10l; .48 #File Name: 0195367561168 pagesMuslims in America A Short History
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Helpful history of Muslims in AmericaBy Richard S. BragawI've been troubled by political statements that accuse Muslims of seeking to undermine American life. Some people I respect have told me they think it is an evil religion that has a goal of eliminating all other forms of religious expression. Against this backdrop; this book was helpful; though it did not answer all my questions. It is; as the subtitle says; a short history of Muslims in America. It talks about the whats; but says little about the whys and hows.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. interesting pieces are lost and the brain is easily muddied with over exhaustion trying to distinguish who's whoBy perfectblueskiesThe book contains many stories of Muslims in America; but unfortunately over-tells. By trying to jam in so many stories; interesting pieces are lost and the brain is easily muddied with over exhaustion trying to distinguish who's who.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn about Islam in the United States.By KayoThis book is really a short solid history about Islam in this country. If more people read books like this they would understand Islam has been woven into the fabric of this country. From our fathers; two of them owned; read their Holy Qurans. To the slaves and free men who bought Islam to our shores. A very diverse peaceful religion with people from every race.
