The military revolution : military innovation and the rise of the West, 1500-1800 ; [the Lees Knowles Lectures 1984, given at Trinity College, Cambridge

Well before the Industrial Revolution, Europe developed the superior military potential and expertise that enabled her to dominate the world for the next two centuries. In this attractively illustrated and updated edition, Geoffrey Parker discusses the major changes in the military practice of the West during this time period--establishment of bigger armies, creation of superior warships, the role of firearms--and argues that these major changes amounted to a "military revolution" that gave Westerners a decided advantage over people of other continents. A new chapter addresses the controversies engendered by the previous edition. This Is A New Edition Of Geoffrey Parker's Much-admired Illustrated Account Of How The West, So Small And So Deficient In Natural Resources In 1500, Had By 1800 Come To Control Over One Third Of The World. This Edition Incorporates New Material, Including A Substantial 'afterword' Which Summarizes The Debate Which Developed After The Book's First Publication. Geoffrey Parker's Argument Is In Two Parts. First The Military Practice Of The West 'at Home' In Europe Is Analysed, With Special Reference To The Role Of Firearms In The Transformation Of Both Offensive And Defensive Warfare; To The Rapid Growth In Army Size; And To The Creation Of Ocean-going Warships Which Fought With Long-range Guns Instead Of Ramming And Boarding. He Then Argues That These Major Changes Amounted To A 'military Revolution' Which Gave Westerners A Decided Advantage Over The People Of Other Continents: Over The Amerindians In The Sixteenth Century, Over Most Indonesians In The Seventeenth, And Over Many Indians And Africans In The Eighteenth. The Book Concludes With A Brief Survey Of How The Industrial Revolution Caused A Second Series Of Military Changes Which Allowed The West To Dominate Almost The Entire World By 1914. --book Jacket. List Of Illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Preface To The Second Edition -- Introduction -- 1. The Military Revolution Revisited -- 2. Supplying War -- 3. Victory At Sea -- 4.the 'military Revolution' Abroad -- 5. Beyond The Revolution -- Afterword -- Notes -- Bibliographical Guide -- Index Geoffrey Parker. The Lees Knowles Lectures, 1984, Given At Trinity College, Cambridge--half T.p. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.