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Though subtitled "a chronological encyclopedia," this work for the non-specialist may be better classified as a survey of warfare through history worldwide. Gabriel's (politics, St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH) detailed narrative examines the history of warfare in cultures from ancient Sumer through the Ottomans. A final chapter summarizes military developments in modern times. The chapters describe in detail weaponry, tactics, strategy, and individual battles, with a concluding section summarizing the lessons of war in strategy and tactics for the culture considered and a bibliography. An impressive variety of ancient civilizations are considered, with chapters on Sumer, Akkad, Egypt, the Mitanni, the Hittites, the Israelites, Assyria, China up to the Han Dynasty, ancient India, Greece, Persia, and Rome (the latter civilization is the subject of five chapters). Other empires include the Huns, Korea, the Crusaders, Japan, the Mongols, and empires of the Americas. The text is closely tied to detailed b&w maps of the battles described as well as drawings of military attire, weaponry, and fortification. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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