Comments on good history books/sources? - Dodge on Hannibal?

Agesilaus · Post by **Agesilaus** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:12 pm

I saw a reprint of Dodge's old book on Alexander and was tempted to get it because it also covers Pyrrhus' battleas as well. Is it a good (reliable) source?

As a general question, what do people with knowledge of history adn archaeology consider the best sources on ancient and medieval warfare. I already have the old WRG Armies and Enemies books, Charles Oman's books, Polybius, Ceaser (Civil War), Thucydides, Herodotus and Arrian.

thanks

Scott

miffedofreading · Post by **miffedofreading** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:58 pm

Personally I love the WRG books as they are very wargames orientated.

I think Charles Oman's 16th Century book s is easily the best book on the subject available. His earlier period medieval books make good reading though I don't like them as much as his 16th century book.

I never liked Dodge's books myself, many of his facts and figures seem suspect or rather old fashioned? but that is a very personal opinion.

Many of the ancients, plutarch etc etc are actually very good and surprisingly readable.

ars_belli · Post by **ars_belli** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:22 pm

miffedofreading wrote:I never liked Dodge's books myself, many of his facts and figures seem suspect or rather old fashioned?

That certainly would be understandable, since Dodge's volumes on Alexander, Hannibal, and Caesar were originally published from 1888-1892.

miffedofreading wrote:Personally I love the WRG books as they are very wargames orientated.

Also rather outdated IMHO, particularly The Armies and Enemies of Imperial Rome.

miffedofreading wrote:Many of the ancients, plutarch etc etc are actually very good and surprisingly readable.

The original sources are always a good place to begin, especially if your translation includes a thorough modern analysis of the author's limitations, perspectives and biases.

For recent books on ancient and medieval warfare, I would highly recommend the following (most recent editions):

Brian Todd Carey, Warfare in the Ancient World (Pen & Sword, 2006)
---, Warfare in the Medieval World (Pen & Sword, 2006)
Adrian Goldsworthy, Roman Warfare (Phoenix Press, 2007)
Maurice Keen (ed.), Medieval Warfare: A History (Oxford U. Press, 2002)
J.E. Lendon, Soldiers and Ghosts: A History of Battle in Classical Antiquity (Yale U. Press, 2005)
Michael Sage, Warfare in Ancient Greece: A Sourcebook (Routledge, 1996)
---, The Republican Roman Army: A Sourcebook (Routledge, 2008)
Philip Sidnell, Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare (Hambledon Continuum, 2006)

There are many others, but these would make for a good start.

Cheers,
Scott

miffedofreading · Post by **miffedofreading** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:31 pm

Very True. I believe Charles Oman wrote his book 70 or 80 years ago and some of his findings are probably a little out of date now. But his 16th C book in particular is such a superb read it doesn't matter.

Seldon · Post by **Seldon** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:48 pm

Brian Todd Carey also has a great book on the second punic war ( also Pen and Sword ) I think it's called Hannibal's last battle.

Very good reading !

madaxeman · Post by **madaxeman** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:58 pm

Cheers - I've added them all to the FoG Bookshop pages on my site

Tim
www.madaxeman.com

Three · Post by **Three** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:28 pm

Dodge without tears, well costs anyway -

Punic Wars

http://www.archive.org/details/hannibal ... 00dodguoft

Romans

http://www.archive.org/details/caesarhi ... 00dodguoft

Agesilaus · Post by **Agesilaus** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:52 pm

Thanks for the info

So overall, do historians consider Dodge an accurate source? I cna live with writing style as long as the information is correct.

Does anyone have a view on teh acuracy, reliability and/or tactical detail of the other ancient writers - Tacitus etc?

Agesilaus · Post by **Agesilaus** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:09 am

Still interested in a reply on Dodge?

Also, general question - any opinions on which Ancient authors are the best sources for wargamers? Please be specific in replies.

thanks

Scott

Quintus · Post by **Quintus** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:26 am

Polybius

Quintus · Post by **Quintus** » Thu May 01, 2008 11:35 am

I have just been reading Dodge and he is superb!

Thanks for the links.

Brainsnaffler · Post by **Brainsnaffler** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:41 am

I am just reading a book on Carthage by Gilbert Charles Picard and Collette Picard. It was wrote in the 60's, but IMHO, it makes an excellent analysis of findings and ancient writings to piece together Carthage's history as accurately as possible (questioning many of Polybius', and Pompeus Trogus' writings amongst others).

The thing I like about this book is that it tries wherever possible to use hard archaeological evidence to back up any theories presented and goes into great detail about what the theorised political structure / lifestyles were like.

The downside of this book is that it is SOOOOOO academic that it can send you to sleep after reading the first page! If you can get past that, you will be sure to find some very interesting things discussed within the covers of the book.

Quintus · Post by **Quintus** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:02 pm

I have the same book. It is very good indeed.