#1059360 in Books Osprey Publishing; Limited 1979-11-08 1979-11-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.65 x .9 x 7.20l; .36 #File Name: 085045334848 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good primer of a little-known warring people.By Stone DogI felt that Osprey's treatment of this subject was quite good. The plates; as usual for an Osprey title; are very good. The story of the rise of the Swiss armies is an interesting one and worthy of greater depth that Osprey obviously cannot provide.Coverage of weapons and tactics is good. Coverage of the history of the formation of the Swiss confederation that became modern Switzerland is brief; but covers the pertinent facts.One must have a certain amount of admiration for the men of little valleys and villages; as well as large towns; who band together to fight thoroughly professional; noble armies. Like most great revolutions from below; they are men who make their own laws; govern their own land; and fight their own wars - on foot; with long spears in formation with others like themselves; and on their own ground. At a time when armored; noble cavalry dominated; these men defeated them.This Osprey title is definitely worth the money. Kudos to Douglas Miller; Gerry Embleton; and Osprey for one of the few English-language titles illuminating the tough Swiss halbardier and pikeman.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Revolution in BattleBy Ky. Col.After the defeat of the Macedonians at Pydina by Rome's legions; one might have thought the days of the pike were over. True; some armies after Pydina used spear formations to stop cavalry such as the Scots at Bannockburn; but it ironically fell to the tough people of what is now Switzerland to really start a pike revolution in Europe. Originally famous for their Halberds and the ambush warfare that led to victory at Mortgarten; the Swiss realized their tactics needed improvement so they adopted the pike. Soon they would become feared by forces all over central and western Europe. The crowning achievment of the Swiss was likely their rout of the proud and powerful Burgundian army at Morat. Decades later; the Swiss were still respected and feared though on the fields of Italy; their time in the spotlight was running out. Overall an interesting and consice book on the rise of Swiss warfare.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good but rther dry.By JustinThis book is full of dates and places but I was hoping for a little more detail about how the swiss actually wielded their halberds and pikes in battle. This book simply tells you that they did; and then lists a series of battles that they fought in. It gives only basic information regarding battle formations and virtually no details of tactics and techniques. Better than nothing; but I was hoping for more.
