Michael Prestwich - A Short History of the Hundred Years War

I.B.TAURIS SHORT HISTORIES

I.B.Tauris Short Histories is an authoritative and elegantly written new series which puts a fresh perspective on the way history is taught and understood in the twenty-first century. Designed to have strong appeal to university students and their teachers, as well as to general readers and history enthusiasts, I.B.Tauris Short Histories comprises a novel attempt to bring informed interpretation, as well as factual reportage, to historical debate. Addressing key subjects and topics in the fields of history, the history of ideas, religion, classical studies, politics, philosophy and Middle East studies, the series seeks intentionally to move beyond the bland, neutral introduction that so often serves as the primary undergraduate teaching tool. While always providing students and generalists with the core facts that they need to get to grips with the essentials of any particular subject, I.B.Tauris Short Histories goes further. It offers new insights into how a topic has been understood in the past, and what different social and cultural factors might have been at work. It brings original perspectives to bear on the manner of its current interpretation. It raises questions and in its extensive bibliographies points to further study, even as it suggests answers. Addressing a variety of subjects in a greater degree of depth than is often found in comparable series, yet at the same time in concise and compact handbook form, I.B.Tauris Short Histories aims to be introductions with an edge. In combining questioning and searching analysis with informed history writing, it brings history up to date for an increasingly complex and globalized digital age.

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It is remarkable how much information Michael Prestwich manages to include in his Short History . Fast-paced yet comprehensive narrative chapters are interspersed with illuminating discussions of subjects such as the composition and development of armies, changing battle tactics, diplomacy, chivalry and the balance-sheet on each side of profit and loss. All of this is illustrated with a telling array of statistics, entertaining anecdotes and judicious character sketches. Drawing on a lifetime of research into the conduct, logistics and implications of medieval warfare, Prestwich shows himself to be up to date with recent literature on the war and has the expert knowledge to challenge long-accepted but questionable assumptions. This is a complex story told with admirable clarity and is the ideal manageable yet well-informed volume to put in the hands of students, while also containing much that will make established scholars think again.

Chris Given-Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History, University of St Andrews

A Short History of the Hundred Years War is a masterpiece of compression by one of our leading military historians.

Jonathan Sumption, author of The Hundred Years War volumes Trial by Battle , Trial by Fire , Divided Houses and Cursed Kings

Michael Prestwichs introduction to the Hundred Years War can be very highly recommended. As a master of this complex history, he provides the reader with a brilliant narrative account. In addition, he offers sophisticated chapters on wider themes like military recruitment, logistics, chivalry and the economic impact of the war, all drawing upon the very latest scholarship and supported by short bibliographical essays that are worth the price of admission on their own.

Craig Taylor, Reader in Medieval History, University of York

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