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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Christopher Duffy is probably the foremost writer on the eighteenth century military, and his works on the armies of Frederick the Great and Maria Theresa are justifiably regarded as classics. This work is a gem, providing an insightful, yet highly readable account of the soldiers' experience during this period. Drawing on examples from all the European powers, it is (inevitably) a more cosmoploitan work than those dealing with specific armies. Perhaps one of the most interesting elements is his discussion of how different nationalities were regarded as displaying different characters in military service, and the effect this had on those commanding them - whether it be exploiting the natural elan of the "hot" nations, or the precision of the "cold". (The English, of course, were believed to display elements of both - at least until the beer, ran out!)
Great book by a great author.
Great book by a great author.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book reminded me very much of 'Redcoat' by Richard Holmes and 'The Art of War in the Age of Marlborough' by David Chandler. In contrast to these books 'Military experience in the age of reason' is not limited to the British army (as 'Redcoat' is) and focuses on a later period (say from the War of Polish Succession to the American War, focusing heavily on the 7 Years' War and the War of Austrian Succession) than 'Art of War'.
Rather than treating any war or campaign as such, the book is organized topically around 'topics' such as the officer class, the common soldier, the campaign, the battle, etc. The book is underpinned by Duffy's extensive knowledge of warfare of this period and contains 100s of quotes from contemporary sources. Duffy clearly loves his topic and it shows.
What I found most interesting was the description of the officer class; obsessed with 'honor', ridden with gambling debts, perpetually drunk and prone to dueling. In general, I think Duffy did a great job in giving the reader a good feel of 18th century warfare. Personally I find this type of book (topically structured) somewhat less readible than chronologically structured descriptions of wars / campaigns / battles, but to each his own.
Rather than treating any war or campaign as such, the book is organized topically around 'topics' such as the officer class, the common soldier, the campaign, the battle, etc. The book is underpinned by Duffy's extensive knowledge of warfare of this period and contains 100s of quotes from contemporary sources. Duffy clearly loves his topic and it shows.
What I found most interesting was the description of the officer class; obsessed with 'honor', ridden with gambling debts, perpetually drunk and prone to dueling. In general, I think Duffy did a great job in giving the reader a good feel of 18th century warfare. Personally I find this type of book (topically structured) somewhat less readible than chronologically structured descriptions of wars / campaigns / battles, but to each his own.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Excellent
4 Jan 2001
Format:Paperback
I've just recently discovered Duffy's works and I like them. Though he writes about a variety of military history topics his primary focus is the 16th - 18th centuries and the type of warfare they fought. It's always been an area that has interested me, but I never found much quality and in-depth material.Christopher Duffy has corrected that problem. This book takes every aspect of the military experience from 1715 - 1789 and looks at it in great depth. The officer, the common soldier, the general, campaigns, battles etc. It's very readable and beautifully researched. Each before mentioned topic has it's own chapter as do many others in the book and they all recieve equal attention. It works as both a survey book for the general reader and a in-depth study for the more knowledgable scholar. I reccommend it strongly. If one is wondering about any quibbles I may have, and there always are quibbles, it would be that the book could have used some illustrations, but that's a minor quibble indeed. If your interested in this subject or just military history in general you could do far worse than buying this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Following the Fife and Drum
19 Jan 2009
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a contribution to what might be called the anthropological school of military history. It is about a time when the modern organized society was just beginning, and the timeless system of hierarchy and patronage was coming to an end. When Europe was ruled by theoretically absolute monarchs who practically had less power then a modern government because of the resistance of entrenched custom. When wars were simple power struggles, commanded by noble-born officers who came because that was what nobles did. And fought by soldiers who seem to have quite reasonably regarded the army as another form of workhouse.
The military culture of the eighteenth century is described in detail. It was made by it's time and place and took it's characteristics from it. In some ways it was like the modern military, in others it was like the medieval. And in others perhaps it would not be recognizable to either. Above all it shows the eighteenth century soldiers as human figures with faults and virtues. Some officers were the sort that gave the Old Regime a bad name, being corrupt or cruel. Others were intelligent, cultured, and compassionate. Some men were pillagers and vandals. Others were honorable men who took pride in their calling. But whoever they were, the author gives a picture of their life as they marched with weary feet along the road of war.
The military culture of the eighteenth century is described in detail. It was made by it's time and place and took it's characteristics from it. In some ways it was like the modern military, in others it was like the medieval. And in others perhaps it would not be recognizable to either. Above all it shows the eighteenth century soldiers as human figures with faults and virtues. Some officers were the sort that gave the Old Regime a bad name, being corrupt or cruel. Others were intelligent, cultured, and compassionate. Some men were pillagers and vandals. Others were honorable men who took pride in their calling. But whoever they were, the author gives a picture of their life as they marched with weary feet along the road of war.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
One of the greatest books....
28 Feb 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
ever written on this subject I would encourage everyone interested in military life in the 1700's should own a copy.
That said asking $100.00 for any digital book is just plain silly and offensive. Duffy gets 5 stars Amazon and/or the publisher gets 0.
That said asking $100.00 for any digital book is just plain silly and offensive. Duffy gets 5 stars Amazon and/or the publisher gets 0.
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