Allure of Battle: A History of How Wars Have Been Won and Lost

History has traditionally measured war's winners and losers by major engagements, but Cathal J. Nolan's book "The Allure of Battle" challenges this notion. He demonstrates that victory in major wars is often determined by other factors, such as erosion of defenses, resources, and will. Massive conflicts, known as people's wars, were more fundamentally determined by prolonged stalemate and attrition, rather than tactical factors. Nolan's book provides a fresh perspective on the history and conduct of warfare, replacing popular images of decisive battles with a somber appreciation of the sacrifice and endurance necessary for victory.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 728 pages
\n Publication date: 23 May 2019
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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History has often assessed the outcomes of wars based on major engagements, such as battles that were deemed decisive due to their clear-cut results. Examples like Marathon, Cannae, Tours, Agincourt, Austerlitz, Sedan, and Stalingrad are etched in our collective memory as pivotal moments that swung the tide of war. However, as Cathal J. Nolan reveals in his groundbreaking and comprehensive work, victory in major wars is not always determined by these legendary battles alone.

In The Allure of Battle, Nolan challenges the conventional notion of military genius and the role of great captains, such as Alexander, Frederick, and Napoleon. Instead, he maps the descent into total war, highlighting how even the most lopsided battles did not necessarily determine the outcome. Nolan meticulously reconstructs and analyzes the major campaigns among the Great Powers, spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. He delves into the illusion of short-war thinking, the hope for swift and conflict-free victory, and the reality of prolonged stalemates and attrition that often defined these conflicts.

Massive conflicts, often referred to as "people's wars," beginning with Napoleon and continuing until the end of World War II, were fundamentally shaped by prolonged stalemates and attrition. Tactics played a lesser role compared to industrial factors in determining the outcome. Nolan's masterful book places battles squarely within the broader context of the conflicts in which they occurred, helping to correct a distorted view of their role. It replaces popular images of decisive battles with a somber appreciation of the sacrifice and endurance necessary for victory.

In conclusion, The Allure of Battle is a seminal work that sheds new light on the dynamics of war and challenges our preconceived notions of victory and defeat. By examining the broader context in which battles took place, Nolan provides a deeper understanding of the factors that shaped historical outcomes. His book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, strategy, and the human cost of conflict.

\n Weight: 886g\n
Dimension: 140 x 209 x 39 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780190931513\n \n