Battles that Changed History

This is a superb book. Some of the other reviewers seem to miss the point of the book. It doesn’t go in to great detail about the battles that have changed history. Instead it gives a summary of the key details and provides just enough information to give the reader a basic understanding of the battle. After reading about several battles I have now ordered books about them to further my understanding.

Producing an accessible single volume summary of history's most influential battles is an ambitious task, and always going to be subjective, but this makes a brave stab at it. A bit more writing and fewer lavish full page illustrations could have added more information at the cost of a reduced visual impact, but I wouldn't have minded. Some critical but largely overlooked battles have at last got a mention- 5 stars for including Ain Jalut!!! There have been some important omissions- Plataea 479BC, Yarmuk 636, Siege of Constantinople 717, Battle of Warsaw 1920, Fall of Singapore 1942- and conflicts without lasting historical impact included such as the Medway Raid and Little Big Horn. That said, this is deserving of a place in every school library and those of military history enthusiasts. The best single volume summary of the subject I am aware of.

I love history and this book is perfect for my collection. It is used as a light read and makes a perfect coffee table book as it looks beautiful and has many pictures. The book offers an explanation of the tactics, conditions, motivations and outcomes of many major battles. It doesn't contain much detail and most battles are explained in 2 or 3 pages but it gives you an insight into many major battles. It has also inspired me to research more into the battles (wars) that are included in this book. Definitely worth the price and I recommend it for somebody who wants to expand their knowledge about history.

This is a good value, attractive coffee table book. It seems to cover all the important battles throughout history that spring readily to mind. Understandably, given the large number of battles which are included, it does not go into the detail that someone intending to study a particular battle in depth might require.

Did not realise it was a DK book. Let's the whole book down. But for a quick reference ok. Big miss was the Battle of Tours between Rome and Goths vs Attila and his Huns in 451 or 452 AD. Changed the course of the development of Western Europe.