Books in the Essential Histories series

In this fully illustrated introduction, acclaimed historian Carl Benn examines the War of 1812 and its significance in US history. The war of 1812-1815 was a bloody confrontation that tore through the American frontier, the British colonies of Upper and Lower Canada, and parts of the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. The conflict saw British, American, and First Nations forces clash, and in the process, shape the future of North American history. Carl Benn explains what led to America's decision to take up arms against Great Britain and assesses the three terrible years of fighting that followed on land and sea, where battles such as Lake Erie and Lake Champlain launched American naval traditions.This new edition has been updated throughout to draw on the research and advances in scholarship in the two decades since original publication in 2002. Benn examines how this has not only impacted basic assumptions of force size and battle dates in some cases, but has also drawn attention to subjects that had previously been overlooked. Fully illustrated in colour with specially commissioned maps and 50 new images, this book provides an accessible overview of the War of 1812.

In this fully illustrated introduction, acclaimed historian Dr Aaron Edwards provides a concise overview of one of the most difficult and controversial actions in recent history.Spanning 38 years of the 'Troubles', the British Army's deployment in Northern Ireland (codenamed Operation Banner) was one of the most difficult and controversial in its recent history. Over 10,000 troops were on active service during much of the campaign, which saw armoured vehicles, helicopters and special forces deployed onto the streets of Ulster. In this book, Dr Aaron Edwards considers the strategic, operational and tactical aspects of Operation Banner, as the Army's military objectives morphed from high-profile peacekeeping into a covert war against the IRA. Using personal testimony from both sides of the sectarian divide, as well as insights from the soldiers themselves, he presents an authoritative introduction to the Army's role in the Troubles, providing expert analysis of Operation Banner's successes and failures.Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and 50 new images, this is an accessible introduction to the complicated yet fascinating history of modern Britain's longest military campaign.

A fully illustrated overview of the USSR's bloody conflict in Afghanistan and its long legacy.The Soviet invasion of its neighbour Afghanistan in December 1979 sparked a nine-year conflict until Soviet forces withdrew in 1988-89, dooming the communist Afghanistan government to defeat at the hands of the mujahideen, the Afghan popular resistance backed by the USA and other powers. Gregory Fremont-Barnes reveals how the Soviet invasion had enormous implications on the global stage; it prompted the US Senate to refuse to ratify the hard-won SALT II arms-limitation treaty, and the USA and 64 other countries boycotted the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. For Afghanistan, the invasion served to prolong the interminable civil war that pitted central government against the regions and faction against faction. Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and new images throughout, this succinct account explains the origins, events and consequences of the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, shedding new light on the more recent history - and prospects - of that troubled country.

An accessible illustrated introduction to the brutal conflict in the former Yugoslavia, one of the greatest yet least understood tragedies of the 20th century.In 1991, an ethnically diverse and peaceful region of Europe descended into violence, lawlessness, bitter hatred and chaos, almost overnight to the bewilderment of international observers. Communities fractured along lines of ethnic and religious affiliation, and the ensuing fighting was deeply personal, resulting in horrific brutality, rape, torture and genocide, causing the deaths of thousands of people. Drawing on the latest research for this new edition, Alastair Finlan examines the internal upheavals of the former Yugoslavia and their international implications, including the failure of the Vance-Owen plan; the first use of NATO in a combat role and in peace enforcement; and the war in Kosovo, unsanctioned by the UN but prosecuted by NATO forces to prevent the ethnic cleansing of the region.Updated and revised, with specially commissioned colour maps and all new images throughout, this is a concise overview of the tragic conflict in former Yugoslavia and its significant consequences.

Fully illustrated with colour maps and 50 images, this is an accessible introduction to the most violent, turbulent, cruel and exciting chapter in Japanese history.In 1467 the Onin War ushered in a period of unparalleled conflict and rivalry in Japan that came to be called the Age of Warring States. In this book, Stephen Turnbull offers a masterly exposition of the wars, explaining what led to Japan's disintegration into rival domains after more than a century of relative peace; the years of fighting that followed; and the period of gradual fusion when the daimyo (great names) strove to reunite Japan under a new Shogun. Peace returned to Japan with the end of the Osaka War in 1615. Turnbull draws on his latest research to include new material for this updated edition, covering samurai acting as mercenaries, the expeditions to Korea, Taiwan and Okinawa, and the little-known campaigns against the Ainu of Hokkaido, to present a richer picture of an age when conflicts were spread far more widely than was hitherto realised.With specially commissioned maps and all-new images throughout, this updated and revised edition provides a concise overview of Japan's turbulent Age of Warring States.

With updates from the author, specially commissioned maps and 50 new images, this is a concise overview of America's most divisive war.America entered the Vietnam War certain of its Cold War doctrines and convinced of its moral mission to save the world from the advance of communism. However, the war was not at all what the United States expected. Outnumbered and outgunned, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces resorted to a guerrilla war based on the theories of Mao Zedong of China, while the US responded with firepower and overwhelming force. Dr Andrew Wiest examines the brutal and prolonged resultant conflict, and how its consequences would change America forever, leaving the country battered and unsure as it sought to face the challenges of the final acts of the Cold War. As for Vietnam, the conflict would continue long after the US had exited its military adventure in Southeast Asia.Updated and revised, with full-colour maps and new images throughout, this is a concise introduction to the most important event of the "American Century."

The Crusades gave rise to the Military Order of the Templars and Hopitallers, and were a backdrop to the careers of some of history's most famous leaders including Richard "The Lionheart" and Saladin. This title traces the Crusades and the major conflicts which arose.

This book tells the story of a group of islands, their peoples, and their remarkable impact on the rest of the world. Concise and authoritative, it provides a balanced and absorbing narrative of an extraordinary shared past, with equal attention paid to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This new edition brings the story up to the present day, and pays greater attention to social developments

This is an accessible guide to the French revolutionary wars with an emphasis on the people who fought and the impact on the world at large. Eyewitness accounts are used to give a "soldier's eye view" of the conflict and expose the reality of the battlefield.

Covering three major theatres of combat - the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, this volume reveals how crucial victory at sea was to the outcome of World War II, as sea lanes were the logistical arteries of the Allies fighting abroad. World War II was won on land, but could easily have been lost at sea.

The Gulf War of 1991 heralded a new type of warfare - one dominated by speed and high technology, that yielded a low level of casualties among the Allied forces. This volume assesses Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, examining each force's strategies, and the political and military figures who were involved on both sides.

Details Operation Barbarossa and the four years of campaigning that followed it. Hitler expected to conquer Russia in just four months, but the Russians fought back and finally emerged from the war as victor, and as a communist superpower to be reckoned with.

In the second volume devoted to the Western Front of World War I, Simkins describes the last great battles of attrition at Arras, on the Aisne and at Passchendaele in 1917. He relates the offenses launched by Germany during the spring and summer of 1918 in an effort to achieve victory or a favorable peace before American manpower proved decisive.

The Great War - particularly the great battles such as the Somme and Verdun - continues to fascinate us and casts long shadows over our world today. This re-examines the early years of the war's Western Front, shedding new light on the nature, course, and effects of the fighting in France and Belgium from 1914 to 1916.

This text traces the background and course of the French-Indian War, fought out in the forests, plains and forts of the North American Frontier. Despite early French success against a British Army unskilled in woodland fighting, the British learned quickly from their Native American allies and emerged victorious at Louisbourg and Quebec.

This is an accessible guide to the Napoleonic wars with an emphasis on the people who fought and the impact on the world at large. Eyewitness accounts are used to give a "soldier's eye view" of the conflict and expose the reality of the battlefield.

During the 19th century, the Great Plains covered the central two-thirds of the United States, and were home to some of the largest and most powerful Native American tribes on the continent. This is the story of the conflict between those tribes and the newcomers from Europe that lasted 150 years.

From global domination in the early third century to effective collapse 400 later, this book provides a full account of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. The successive problems which led to the Empire's demise are all examined in detail, and the later Roman army is reassessed.

It is a testament to its enduring intrigue that the events of the Peloponnesian War are studied for what they can teach about diplomacy, strategy and tactics. This volume offers vivid insights into the impact of warfare on the people who are celebrated as the founders of Western civilization.

The final volume in a four part set covering World War I, this title includes the Allied attempts to capture Constantinople, the bloody campaigning in Northern Italy, the defence of the Suez Canal and the defeat of the Turkish army in Palestine. The war in North Africa is also covered.

The first of four volumes that together provide an account of World War I, this text unravels the complicated and tragic events of the war's Eastern Front. It details the history of conflict between Germany and Russia, which proved disastrous for the Russian forces and would ultimately pave the way for the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917.

The war with Mexico was the most decisive conflict in American history. It was a bitter, hard-fought war that left the young United States in control of the North American continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This book covers the full course of the war, ending with General Winfield Scott's march from Vera Cruz to Mexico City.

The bloody War of 1812 saw British, American and First Nation forces clash in a conflict that would change North America for ever. This book explains the background to the war, as well as covering the three years of fighting on land and sea, including the battles of Lake Erie and Lake Champlain.

The bitter war between Russia and Turkey, aided by Britain and France, was the setting for legends. This book details the suicidal Charge of the Light Brigade, the reports made by the first real war correspondent, William Russell of the Times and the deeds of Florence Nightingale.

This is an historical account of the Mongol conquests of 1190-1400, including the rise of Genghis Khan and the unification of the tribes. It examines the strategies, tactics and logistics that enabled the Mongols to fight successfully against enemies as far apart as Prussia and Korea.

This is an accessible guide to the American civil war with an emphasis on the people who fought and the impact on the world at large. Eyewitness accounts are used to give a "soldier's eye view" of the conflict and expose the reality of the battlefield.

Drawing on Caesar's own writings, this volume offers an eye-witness account of the Gallic Wars in the context of the collapse of the Roman republic and its descent into civil war. Caesar's bloody conquest of the Celtic tribes led to the establishment of the province of Gaul - modern France.

The wars between Classical Greece and the Persian Empire produced such famous battles as Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis. This volume reveals the social, political and military impact of these wars, drawing on the contemporary writings of Herodotus, author of the world's first "history".

The closest thing to total war before World War I, the Seven Year's War was fought in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and India, with major consequences for those involved. This text reviews the strategies of the combatants and examines the differing styles of warfare used in the campaign.