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Hi,Has anyone here read this book - Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction by Harry Sidebottom? It was reviewed in the Guardian newspaper over the weekend. The review said - "Harry Sidebottom fairly presumes you wouldn't know a hoplite if one
thrust a spear at you, and that you grasped legionary tactics from watching the DVD of Gladiator." I'm not quite that ignorant, but something which explained tactics simply would be welcome so I'm looking out for something like this book, assuming it is any good of course!Cheers,Kate

kate hailIve not seen this book but sounds ideal if its the thing you wish to learn about,,, there are many things and items for each individual i hope it helps you with what youir trying to learn.Kenny

Another good one, pitched at a slightly higher level by the sound of it, is David Lonsdale: "Alexander, Killer of Men". You could also look for Peter Connolly "Warfare in the Ancient World" which is a larger format book, with the advantage of some excellent colour plates. And I still don't reckon you can beat Fuller's "Generalship". It's more heavy going, and perhaps requires more knowledge of tactics; but his tactical descriptions of Alexander's battles is excellent.The main things to look for are the ways different parts of the army work together - the use of cavalry to support infantry (and for shock attacks), and the manoeuvrability of units.All the bestMarcus

hail MarcusWith such studies we can see the changes and inovations Alexander was persistently making towards his army, Shock troops I think was a new idea for dealling with the guerillas in the east,, Id call it an early day type of blitz crieg,, I think as a whole Alexander was fundamentally blitcrieg he didnt give his enemies chance to breath before he was upon them.I read somewhere before his Arabian venture he was working with blending Archers in the depths of the Phalanx to offer a missile base.Its always been argued Alexander did what he did with his fathers army but id wager the army was rather different with additions and variations to suit all types of situations.Kenny

Hi Kenny,Indeed!I've never really studied the make-up of the army post-Gaugamela, but it does bear study - even before Al started incorporating Bactrians, Sogdians, Scythians etc. he re-arranged his divisions, styles of fighting, etc. (mostly when he got into guerrilla warfare in Bactria) - but I really ought to get a better handle on how the army was intended to operate in the projected 'last plans'.There's something to keep me off the streets for a while! :-)All the bestMarcus

Hi Kenny and Marcus,
Thanks for the help and encouragement. I'll look out for the books you mentioned, Marcus.Cheers,Kate

I didn't read it but I think it is pretty good book. Have a great experience.wanel
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kate its apleasure anything to help.Kenny