Books in the Essential Histories series

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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".

This book offers a new interpretation of the period of fighting out of which the United States was born.

The "Essential Histories" series is a comprehensive study of human conflict. This volume examines the campaigns of the Norman conquest and aims to provide a deeper understanding of the nature of war and human history.

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.

Traces the 800-year history of Byzantium. From the early uncertain years of the empire, to the triumphal period when its wealth attracted Viking and Asian warriors to join its armies, and finally to the death of Byzantium's last emperor in 1453, the empire's military history is laid bare.

The three Punic Wars lasted nearly 100 years, from 264BC to 146BC. They represented a struggle in the Mediterranean between the bludgeoning land power of Rome, bent on imperial conquest, and the great maritime power of Carthage. This is a comprehensive account of a complicated historical period.

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.

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.

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.

Alexander the Great was one of the most brilliant generals the world has ever known. His campaigns included the conquest of the ancient Persian Empire, which lifted his Macedonian kingdom from the level of city-state and onto the world stage. This book provides an insight into his military achievements.