Books in the Essential Histories series

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.

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.

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.

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 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 Vietnam War was arguably the most important event for America in the 20th century. The US entered the conflict with doctrines modelled for the Cold War and a mission to wipe out Communism, but the reality of war in Vietnam confounded all expectations. This book chronicles the bloody guerrilla warfare that ensued.

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 bitter war between Russia and Turkey is recorded here. It details the gallant yet suicidal Charge of the Light Brigade and relates the reports made by the first war correspondant, William Russell. It also deals with the heroism of Florence Nightingale.

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 Anglo-Irish War has often been referred to as the war 'the English have struggled to forget and the Irish cannot help but remember'. Examining such historic events as the Easter Rising and the infamous Bloody Sunday, this title explores the conflict and the years that preceded it.

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

The Russian Civil War is the most important civil war of the 20th century, changing the lives of over half a billion people and dramatically shaping the geography of Europe, the Far East and Asia.

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".