Moment of Battle: The Twenty Clashes That Changed the World

Marathon? Not what Snickers is now called (except by me) but the battle, is regarded as decisive by numerous historians but unlike them the authors have not argued their case sufficiently. Personally I would see Plataea as breaking the Persian back once and fall after which they can meddle in Hellenistic affairs but not much else. The problem is that the authors description of what constitutes a decisive battle is tautological; it is decisive because it is decisive. The introductory chapter provides no over riding analytical framework nor justification. The battles themselves are explained in workman like fashion if a bit perfunctorily for my own tastes. They also seem overly beholden to Victor Davis Hanson's discredited notion (I won't grace it with the descriptor "concept") of a western way of war whilst adhering to a telelogical bias so common to all American historians that World History is, to pervert Hegel, merely the realisation of the American dream or some claptrap. Not a book for the serious student of military history. I was led astray by the presence of Williamson Murray, otherwise an authority on military affairs, who seems have done nothing more than lending legitimacy to a book that reeks of a vanity project.

The author makes many fine, valid points in applying history and famous battles to the world we live in today. I share the belief that we need to understand history to better understand the world we live in so this is helpful and fits.However, he seems to trust other sources than the Bible where they refer to the same event...such as when Alexander the Great approached Jerusalem and a few events when Jesus and His followers were around. While these are minor points, they do 'color' his coverage and analysis of these battles. This makes me wonder how accurate he is with others...But the bottom line is that his premise is quite valid and well worth reading.

I bought this book because of a recommendation from Dennis Prager. I can't wait to dive into it.

Very interesting and educational as it focuses on the impact on history, rather than the conduct of the battle. Have you heard of the Protestant wind? Read it.

World class update to Cressy's list. Obviously well researched by a pair of outstanding scholars who know the material intimately. Like arguing baseball or football stats there will never be total consensus on the topic but this book is a great read.