The military achievements of the emperors Nikephoros Phokas; John Tzimiskes; and Basil II brought the Byzantine Empire to the height of its power by the early eleventh century. This volume presents new editions and translations of two military treatises—the Praecepta militaria of Nikephoros Phokas and the revised version included in the Taktika of Nikephoros Ouranos—outlining the tactical system used by Byzantine armies in campaigns against Muslim forces in Cilicia and Syria. Products of experienced soldiers; the texts offer a realistic view of Byzantine warfare and reveal the sophistication of Byzantine military science. Eric McGeer places the treatises in military historical context; explores the factors that led the Byzantine army to fight as it did; and investigates morale; discipline; and leadership—all of which determined the difference between failure and success.
#951330 in Books Countryman Press 1997-11-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.30 x 1.00 x 7.30l; 2.15 #File Name: 0881504009336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. General Lee had other Ideas!By CustomerI've been a member of the VTARNG since 1992 and sorry to say that this particular and interesting story of the Civil War and of the critical part the Vermonters played at Gettysburg was not known to me. A fellow soldier recommended it as we both have an interest. I was also unaware of the 9 month regiments. So very cool stuff. How the country negotiated with volunteers over enlistments and of course how history delivered eternal glory to them; they thought they would be home for the 4th of July but General Lee had other ideas. The personal letters were of particular interest. The names and towns are very similar to the names and towns the current soldiers I went to Afghanistan with if not direct descendants. I would have liked to see a few more battlefield illustrations of the actual brigade maneuver as they clashed with Pickets flank.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Makes My Top Ten List of Favorite Civil War BooksBy marguerite c. khosraviI chose this book because I live in the northern Virginia area only a few miles away from where some of the Vermont soldiers were encamped at Wolf Run Shoals. Through excerpts from diaries and letters of the men; Mr. Coffin provides a portrait of what life was like for them on the march and in the camps (and in battle) and gives us a glimpse of who they were as people. The research must have been exhaustive and the book skillfully weaves material from the regimental histories and archives into a story that is riveting and rich with detail - and as free flowing as one of those beautiful Vermont rivers.In fact; I was so taken with the book that I contacted Mr. Coffin by e-mail and invited him down from Vermont; where he lives; to lecture to our historical group about the experiences of the Vermont soldiers in northern Virginia. I was quite surprised when he actually responded and agreed. He ended up speaking to several different groups while he was here and it was a wonderful experience. I hope he sold many copies of the book because it is one that deserves to be read.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A detailed look at a key unitBy Don LowryThis is a very readable; very informative history of a brigade of 9-months men who spent the vast majority of their enlistments in a fairly safe and routine assignment in the outer defenses of Washington DC; only to play a key roll in the Union victory at Gettysburg just days before being sent home and mustered out. Laced with quotations from numerous letters home; this oversized volume gives an interesting look at how these five regiments learned their trade and what it was like to be an infantryman in the Civil War; then details their important contributions to a pivotal victory; including their hard 7-days march to reach the battlefield; their repulse of Rans Wright's Georgians on the battle's second day; and their key role in defeating Pickett's Charge on the third day. An excellent addition to the literature of Gettysburg and the Civil War in general.
