With Arrow, Sword, and Spear

Professor Alfred S. Bradford's WITH ARROW, SWORD AND SPEAR- A History of Warfare in the Ancient World is an excellent primer for the serious student of ancient warfare. I found it to be a useful reference, dog-earring a number of the brief but well researched chapters that span several thousand years of armed struggle in the ancient world. For many readers it is an introduction to various warrior cultures, their histories, strategies, and weapons that either propeled them forward or diminished their existance. The illustrations of battle gear, routes or campaigns compliment the words and the map inserts bring back the places lost to modern geography. If you're looking for storyline you probably won't find it here. What you get is history from an educated source who knows how to keep it interesting, flowing, and to the point. As a former combat veteran I especially appreciated the mention of Archilochus who was the first soldier - whose works survive- to have written about his own feelings and experiences giving us a peek into the mind of the ancient soldier. Bradford, a Vietnam veteran who had served with the 25th Infantry Division, understands the importance of this as well but as a historian keeps to the factual core of the events. Saying that, let me add that history should never be dull and boring since it's usually made by those who are anything but dull or boring. With his book Bradford makes the introductions to a variety of personages but leaves it up to us to find the conversations and breathe life back into their ranks.