The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008

In choosing a list of decisive battles or noteworthy battles, there are some serious difficulties that one faces. This fact, a critical problem today, was even more a case in the 19th century, where national history was such an overwhelming concern that it is little surprise that so many of the battles chosen appear to be decisive not necessarily from a global perspective but from an English perspective. Indeed, someone like Victor Davis Hanson could very easily write the same sort of work today with the same general approach, many of the same battles, and many of the same textual sources in his research. What was acceptable in the 19th century is not always so, and there are some parts of this book, like the author's obvious Anglo-Saxon ethnic pride, or his racialism insofar as it relates to other European nations, to say nothing of his mortifying and broad social judgments on other peoples, like the Syrians, for example.That said, if you can accept this book as a product of its time, there is much to appreciate here. The book is well-written, has chosen its source material and battles well (again, given its context), and often has a sense of poetry as well as humanity and decency. The author writes about battles and war, but recognizes the horrors that provoke conflict and also mark its conduct. No one reading this book will think that the author glorifies bloodshed, but neither does the author shirk the unpleasant truth that sometimes conflict is necessary because we live in a fallen world that is bent by evil. The battles chosen are generally of two kinds--either they are battles of a national nature (Orleans, Syracuse, Waterloo, Blenehim, Saratoga) or of a conflict between different civilizations (Marathon, Tours, Chalons). Some of the explanations are lengthy, and some are very short. In all cases, where the author can find a source that humanizes the conflict, though, this instinct is chosen, and it is a good instinct to have as it makes this a more excellent book even with its flaws.The largest flaw in this book, though, is the book's focus on Western battles to the exclusion of the decisive conflicts of other civilizations. For example, the battles that preserved Japanese independence from Mongol invasion were truly decisive in world history, as was the battle of the Talas River that spread papermaking to the Middle East and that gave the Chinese empire a permanent Muslim problem in Central Asia. To be sure, many other battles could be chosen that had a dramatic effect on some part of the world. An exercise in writing about great generals or decisive battles is likely to be immensely arbitrary, especially because what is truly decisive cannot always be known until long after the fact, and that which seems to be of enduring importance can sometimes end up being ephemeral, while that which seems minor and insignificant can end up being of pivotal importance. Read today, this book provokes a question of what important battles were neglected, which in turn should provoke the writing and release of even better books which serve to balance the flaws of this august volume, hopefully without losing its virtues.

Creasy's book was first published in 1841 when the author had retired as Chief Justice of Ceylon. In his introduction, Creasy describes why he chose battles as topic for his book and why he decided on just these fifteen battles. He says that "it cannot be denied that a fearful and wonderful interest is attached to these scenes of carnage. There is undeniable greatness in the disciplined courage, and in the love of honor, which make combatants confront agony and destruction." When the book was written, Waterloo and Napoleonic wars were still in fresh in people's memories and Creasy devoted a large portion of his book to this conflict - quoting contemporary poetry at length. There long excerpts of letters, reports or memoirs convey a sense of impending pandemonium more than all other descriptions. Several ancient battles were compared to the struggle against Napoleon - "for seventeen years Hannibal strove against Rome; for sixteen years Napoleon Bonaparte strove against England." Creasy begins his book with the Battle of Marathon and stirring descriptions of the participants (the Greeks) as well as their respective outlook and environment. Next he discusses the defeat of the Athenians at Syracuse using contemporary (Victorian) analyses by Niebuhr and Arnold. Every chapter includes several reactions of leaders that were not involved - for example, Napoleon on Alexander's victory over the Persians at Arbela - and I found that my astonishment and horror was quite often shared by "experts." We read about the defeat of Roman legions, the Battle of Tours, the decisive victory of Joan of Arc at Orleans, the surprising fiasco of the Spanish Armada; Marlborough's command at Blenheim; the Swedish actions at Pultowa; the American win over British forces at Saratoga; the unexpected win of revolutionary France at Valmy. It is a survey of fifteen battles - not a definitive work on each of them. Creary's breadth of knowledge and sources is astonishing. His language is that of a scholar of the 19th century. It is a great book.

I really enjoyed this book, it really holds up after a century and a half. Despite the authors biases and prejudices this book really educates the reader, especially on the political climates of the day and what factors lead to each battle. While I may not agree with the assumption that each of these fifteen battles decided the fate of civilized society, I do appreciate the importance of each to the world as it was during the time and what it helped prevent in each case.As an American reader, what truly surprised me and what I will take away most from this book is the respect that our country had received from the European's after on 75 years of existence. Sir Creasy was nice enough to include quotes and passages from other historians of this day, and reading the opinion's of the French and British historians about our country and it's boundless possibilities (as evident in the mid 19th Century) really made me proud of our founding father even that much more.The last of the fifteen battles, Waterloo, was really an eyeopener as Sri Creasy was able to include so many quotes from participants biographies and personal papers, that it added a multiple dimension to the chapter, unlike any other historical piece that I have ever read. The vast experiences, so different yet so similar (in the great sacrifices and bloodshed on the field), really helped bring the reader in and allowed them to see the great horror of War, kind of like the first twenty minutes of Saving Private Ryan did.I highly recommend this book.

Well, finally worked through this one, and it was hard going. As some other reviewers have said, I felt like saying to the author, get on with it. A bit of a laboured read, but having said that, it was written in the 19th century, so is hard to judge previous writing by today's methods. In all then, hard to work through, but still brings up each battle as a point for discussion, and has taught me a bit more about the world.Other books you might like to read Cold Steel on the Rocks We Are Cold Steel Kalter Stahl auf den FelsenCold Steel on the RocksWe Are Cold SteelKalter Stahl auf den Felsen

Sir Edward Creasy was a barrister who became Lord Chief Justice of Ceylon, and he was also a lecturer in history at the University of London. In other words, he was no slouch! His wide historical research led him to write a number of books, of which the best known is this book, written in 1851. A typical Victorian, Creasy regarded Europe (and particularly British conquest) to be the bringers of civilisation to the barbaric peoples of the world. This influenced his choice of important battles, for he saw world history through its lens. He explains that some battles were important because they prevented Eastern nations from invading and controlling Europe, as far back as ancient Greece. Britain was the leading world power in his time and he regarded this as a very good thing for the world so he described battles which shaped Britain's history and extended her influence. At times, the book seems jingoistic, but I find this interesting in itself, coming as it does from a time of British expansion, when national pride was at its height and the world seemed a simpler and more certain place. I felt that one learnt, not only about the world events he selected, but about the England of his own time.

Written around 1850 it is different from modern history books. The style is older but for that a good read. Has interesting background on the battles as well as discription of them. Also some cause n consequences of the battles and brief history of the intervening time between each chapterA good and informative read for the history buff

This is an established work, possibly even a classic: and it has interesting comments and suggestions. The accounts of the battles vary (some are good) and the significance is properly emphasised. He was writing in 1852 and it is not surprising that the last account (Waterloo) is much the best. If you like history garnished with solid pieces of Byron and Macaulay, this may be for you: but one can always skip to extract the essence. I was not bored: neither was I enthralled.

When reading this you have to bear in mind that it was published in 1851, and reflects the British view of the world as much as the decisiveness of the battles that are included. Thus the slave owning Athenians are heralded as the guardians of freedom and democracy, etc. The battles covered are eurocentric, with the vast Chinese territories, which the author admits contained a third of the world's population, being dismissed with a single sentence.An interesting read but bear in mind the distinct bias in the writing!