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people found this helpful, as of 2023
ranked #102,966 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★★
Superb!
This is a remarkable book. Those of us who have been reading about the globe-spanning wars of the past century for decades may be skeptical as to whether yet another book on the subject of the greatest wars in history can add anything new. Well, Hanson does. This esteemed classical scholar has become, arguably, our leading military historian, displaying a command of the subject enlivened by innovative thought and adept writing. His latest book stands out among his best--which is a very high standard, indeed. Rather than revealing his richest insights--a nasty trait in reviews--I suggest that readers, no matter how busy or distracted by daily life, make time for this book: It's underlying themes are even bigger than the declared subject. In our age of willful ignorance and historical amnesia, Hanson's contributions to our society spread far beyond the campus. Fine work from a courageous leader in the field of military history.
November 2017 · Books