Great Captains; a Course of six Lectures Showing the Influence on the art of war of the Campaigns of Alexander, Hannibal, Cæsar, Gustavus Adolphus, Fr

This book is a fine survey (and launch point for further study) of the great captains from the earliest times through the industrial revolution. It is written in the contemporary vernacular (1880s).

Written in the late 19th century, this is a collection of campaign studies of Alexander the great, Hannibal, Ceasar, Gustavus Adolphus, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon. It includes several maps that are helpful but they lack the detail and clarrity that one would prefer. The maps, being part of a collection of lectures, were most likely maps in the author's notes which he would use on the chalk board to describe the battles. They appear to be rough sketches one might find in that context. Still, they are better than no maps at all and they do provide some context for the lecture content. The brevity of the book as a whole and the division of the book into standalone lectures make it a fair reference volume. But, you will certainly want more than these lectures for any one of "the great captains." It is an enjoyable set of lectures and worth the price you are likely to find this book now.