Product DescriptionIn an elegantly illustrated volume, a noted historian reveals culture, society and history through the saga of war and its implements. Mankind's history has been determined by war. And throughout history, the way that wars are won and lost, and whether they are fought at all, has been determined more by weapons than any other single force. Before there was man, there were weapons. In his investigation of arms and culture, noted military historian Robert O'Connell goes all the way back to the first weapons: the claws, horns, and hooves of our evolutionary antecedents. Even then, a species' weaponry determined its future. So it has been for the human animal. From the ancient Assyrians' conquest of bronze, to the Toledo steel of the Spanish conquistadors, to the MIRV missiles of nuclear deterrence, the great weapons have set their own agendas. They continue to shape our culture and our lives today. THE SOUL OF THE SWORD gives world history from a club, gun, or aircraft carrier's perspective. Along the way, sidebars and drawings from premiere military illustrator John Batchelor illuminate the weapons themselves. In this fascinating book O'Connell unearths the extraordinary weapons of our past, and explains our most basic weapons as never before. Our killing tools are much more than fearsome curiosities; they are the engines of history.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Excellent, unique, and insightful look at tactics and arms.
Very enjoyable and interesting way of approaching the use and selection of tactics and arms throughout history. Also, very well written and easy to read.
Rating: - A bit peculiar
I applaud the approach to weaponry used in this book. It explores idea that even modern arms systems are subject to cultural and bioligical effects of posturing as well as actual need. While not a new idea, it is one that could use more exposure.
I did have a few issues with the book, however. There are call-out boxes on different topics. These often seem like they were written to 'sell' an idea, rather to just inform; it seemed a bit disjoint and out of place in a history book. ... Read More
Rating: - The Anthroplogy of Weaponry
"Soul of the Sword" is a highly readable history about the development and use of weaponry from prehistory to modern times. But O'Connell's book is less about the weapons themselves than it is about how, why and when human beings develop and use those weapons.
The book is filled with interesting little insights and "aha!" moments that make it a pleasure to read. For example, historians are fairly certain that prehistoric towns were beset by warfare. Catal Hutuk in Turkey was fortified, ... Read More
Rating: - O'Connell strikes gold again
Dr. Robert O'Connell, author of Of Arms and Men (1989), has written another excellent book on the history of weapons and warfare with Soul of the Sword. Running to nearly 400 pages, it covers all the major weapon developments on land, sea, and air from the spear to nuclear weapons. All the great classics are here, such as the Trireme, the Gladius, Composite bows, Wheel lock pistols, the Brown Bess .78 caliber flintlock, Ships-of-the-line, Enfield 1853 rifle, Dreadnoughts, Gatling guns, the Sopwith Camel, ... Read More
Rating: - Excellent writing, rewarding reading!
This highly readable, impeccably researched, well-balanced book is a prime example of what an informed, imaginative author can do with a well-worn subject. Do we really need another illustrated history of weaponry? I would have said no--until I encountered Robert O'Connell's superb book (with well-done illustrations by John Batchelor). O'Connell is something of a renaissance man, a respected defense analyst, a historian, a critically praised novelist...and perhaps that's the key to this book's humaneness, ... Read More
- Excellent, unique, and insightful look at tactics and arms. 
- A bit peculiar
