This is a guide to 8500 battles from antiquity to the 21st century and is a wonderful reference book.



If you are interested in the past and in the role of battles and sieges in shaping the world, then this is a book you may wish to consult. Because it is a dictionary, the information on each event is clear but limited. Concise construction conveys a wealth of information.



The book contains a chronological guide to every named battle in the main alphabetical section. How does this work? Well, if you were looking at the Battle of Hastings, this is what you would find:



`Hastings, England | 1066 | Norman Conquest of England

When William of Normandy landed near Pevensey, Sussex with a well-armed force to claim the English throne, King Harold II hurried back from defeating a Norwegian invasion of Yorkshire at Stamford Bridge. In England's most celebrated battle, Harold was killed and his army was crushed on Senlac Hill near Hastings, William soon conquered the entire kingdom (14 October 1066).'



There is similarly detailed information about Stamford Bridge.



There is also information under the `Chronological Reference Guide' to the Norman Conquest of Britain. The following battles are listed: `Hastings 1066; Exeter 1068; Durham 1069; York 1069-1070; Ely 1071; Norwich 1075; Durham 1080.'



This book is of greatest value, perhaps, to those researching specific periods of history. I say `perhaps' only because I chose to browse through the book, following specific events of interest and then exploring events adjacent in time as well as those directly related.



I could spend a lot of time with this book and recommend it highly.



Jennifer Cameron-Smith