The Barbarian Invasions: History of the Art of War, Volume II Paperback – 1 February 1990

Book in very good condition

I have been reading both BH Liddel Hart's book on Strategy and JC Fuller's "Military History of the Western World" at the same time as Delbruck. While the first two books may be more valuable for someone searching a overview of ancient struggles, Delbruk's book shines in the description of ancient warfare.Delbruk is brave enough to argue and discard many things that historians bypass or take as true, like the supposed numerical superiority of the Persians in their conflicts with the Greeks and Macedonians, the true use of elephants in battle or the way the ancient Roman maniples were an improvement to the phalanx. He practically rewrites many battles (Marathon, Salamis, Issus, Zama, Alesia), discarding absurd notions and finding a logical interpretation for the flow of the battle that would explain the outcome. I my opinion, he describes these battles much better than most other authors I've read (Including Herodotus himself).As noted by other reviewers, you should have a general idea of the general history of the conflicts and their outcome, because Delbruk only discusses pure military aspects and not the background. This is not a book for beginers.If you ever felt that the overwhelming numerical superiority of barbarian armies was a gross exaggeration or that Roman tactics seem absurd when explained by non-military historians, you MUST get this book.

I stumbled upon this book several years ago while doing research for a computer game concerning ancient warfare and was simply stunned by Delbruck's insights. He lays bare the truth behind the myths we've all grown up believing, and the result is something of an expose, providing such startling conclusions as the fact that the Greeks actually outnumbered the Persians at the battle of Marathon!While much of Delbruck's writing seems to fly in the face of accepted convention, he does such a masterful job of backing up his conclusions with hard facts and indisputable logic that one is rapidly converted to his way of thinking. These books are a rarity in a society that still takes ancient history at face value: Delbruck digs deep to find the truth, and as a result these works (the entire series is fantastic) are vital reading for anyone interested in truly understanding the history of warfare. I can't reccommend these books highly enough.

An excellent account of warfare in the ancient world, succinct yet informative. An essential guide complementing the existing works of the period in addressing the basic logistical needs and requirements in fighting in the age of antiquity.

From "Soldiers & Ghosts- A History of Battle in Classical Antiquity," (2005), by J. E. Lendon, Bibliographical Notes, on page 394, "Frustratingly perverse but a forefather to the present work in its interest in treating the evolution of tactics as a historical problem, seeking reasons for change, and relating military forms to the wider world of combatants, is H. Delbruck's "History of the Art of War, vol 1, "Warfare in Antiquity," (1920) and vol. 2, "The Barbarian Invasions." On Delbruck (with insight into his perversity), see G.A. Craig, "Delbruck: The Military Historian," in P. Paret (ed.), "Makers of Modern Strategy," (1986) pp. 326-53.There are no maps or diagrams, which IMO are essential to truly understanding battles. For instance in Volume One, "Warfare in Antiquity," we have on page 538 "The Battle of Pharsalus." This is beautifully described by Delbruck, but as I stated there are no maps or diagrams contained within. This is a serious lack and for true understanding a map or diagram is necessary. He puts Caesar's Commentaries in their place, full of hyperbole, and he still goes to great lenghts to understand them.Re: maps, and for easier reading, see Richard A. Gabriel's books "The Great Battles of Antiquity," and his " Empires at War," three volumes, have maps of the "Battle of Pharsalus," which graphically represents Caesar's placement of the "six cohort line" at on oblique angle behind his cavalry. This was the decisive move which enveloped Pompey's cavalry, leading to Caesar's victory. Gabriel also has some great commentary in his books about Pharsalus and many other battles.For beginner I would start with Gabriel's books and if the interest stays with you move on later to Delbruck's books. Gabriel has a much easier writing style and presents the essential materials in a easy straight forward way to understand the big picture. Delbruck can get mired in a numbers game for page after page, which IMO is not essential to the understanding of these battles in antiquity.For general reference: "O2S4 MEC:"Objective (Simplicity);Offensive, Sprit of;Superiority at Point of Contact (Economy of Force);Surprise (Security);Security (Surprise);Simplicity (Objective);Movement (Mobility);Economy of Force (Superiority at Point of Contact);Cooperation (Unity of Command)