Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact: New Perspectives on Turning Points in Our History: The Turning Points in Our History We Should Know More About - Softcover

Alan Axelrod

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1592333753 ISBN 13: 9781592333752

Publisher: Fair Winds Press, 2009

Synopsis

Alan Axelrod identifies twenty-five small wars that had repercussions far beyond their size. Boudicca's fight against the Romans in Britain, that eventually led to the downfall of the biggest empire of that time; the 2nd Jewish revolt of 132-135 AD, that inadvertently led to the creation of Christianity as a world religion; how Ivan IV made Russia one country, how the Opium Wars increased Chinese distrust and fear of the West, so it is still felt today; the Balkan Wars of 1912-13 that precipitated the First World War that changed the face of the world; and, how the Afghan Civil War led to the rise of the Taliban, the Algerian War in 1815 'the first war on terror' and its terrible backlash, and King Philip's War in 1675 that bankrupt Spain, and cost that country it's position as the most powerful one in the world. Weather inadvertently or not, Axelrod shows the consequences of wars cannot be predicted, and how these conflicts - intended or otherwise - had knock-on effects far beyond their size, and how a small war hundreds of years ago could change history and our world forever.

About this title

Product Description:

Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact Alan Axelrod identifies 18 smaller wars that led to great changes in history, from the Afghan Civil War that precipitated the rise of the Taliban to the Algerine War in 1815, seen as the first war on terror, to King Philip's War in 1675 that, in proportion to the population at the time, was the costliest war in American history and changed the colonies forever. Axelrod takes a fascinating look at ... Full description

Review:

They changed the world, but you've likely never heard of them. Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact tells the story of unsung wars and their lasting impact on the modern world. From failed rebellions to the United States' first foreign conflict, these wars massively changed the course of history but are usually mentioned briefly in textbooks, if at all. Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact is a core addition to military and history collections, enthusiastically recommended --Midwest Book Review, November 2009...This book tells the stories of 18 little-known wars usually left out of mainstream histories. It describes these wars and their effects on nations and individuals, subsequent wars, and alliances and enmities in the present day. Organized chronologically, they include the eighth century war between invading Muslims and defending Spanish Christians; the First and Second Opium Wars; the revolt in 132-35 that prompted the ongoing persecution of Jews; the war between the US and the Barbary Pirates in the early 1800s; the War for Afghan Independence in 1919; and the Mau-Mau Uprising in 1952-1956 in Kenya. Color maps and other illustrations are included. Axelrod has been an editor, creative consultant, and historical consultant, and is the author of many books on history and military history --Book News Inc, November 2009...I have long believed that history largely consists of the many wars of mankind and this is confirmed in an excellent new book, Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact by Alan Axelrod. That may qualify as one of the longest titles of any new book this year! The author has had a long, distinguished career in and out of publishing and a consultant to television documentaries. He takes the reader on a fascinating tour that include what he calls the first Holocaust , the battle when Simon bar Kokhba initiated a rebellion against Rome, triggering a response that cost the lives of many Jews living in Israel from 132-135 BC. Other wars cited include the first wars of terror, the Barbary pirates versus the United States, and the Meji Rebellion in Japan. There are many interesting chapters that recount wars that often are not taught in schools and colleges, but which shaped history, ancient and modern ...Book Views inc, November, 2009...This past week, in addition to my culinary reading, I found myself unable to put down Alan Axelrod s Little Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact. This book had been on my nightstand for almost two months and I really did not know what to make of it. I am a firm believer that history is always better when the reader knows a little something about the specific subject. For example, I know a good deal about the Second World War but almost nothing about the Great War that preceded it. As a result, I believe I get more out of reading about WWII than I would out of WWI.In the case of Axelrod s book, I was more than a little intimidated by chapters on Boudicca s Revolt in ancient Rome and the Balkan Wars of 1912-13. After all, if I did not know anything about those conflicts, how could I appreciate the author s analysis of them? I found out very quickly. Axelrod is a gifted writer who presents tasty literary cookies thorough surveys of the conflicts that he explores. He also ties the conflicts to their modern contexts such that his readers will never forget how a medieval conflict in Japan directly led to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor or how a seventeenth-century war with Native Americans in New England set the stage for the destruction of Native American cultures by American aggression two centuries later. I have no doubt that war is Hell, but reading about Little Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact was a lot of fun and entirely compelling. --Biblio buffet, November, 2009

This book tells the stories of 18 little-known wars usually left out of mainstream histories. It describes these wars and their effects on nations and individuals, subsequent wars, and alliances and enmities in the present day. Organized chronologically, they include the eighth century war between invading Muslims and defending Spanish Christians; the First and Second Opium Wars; the revolt in 132-35 that prompted the ongoing persecution of Jews; the war between the US and the Barbary Pirates in the early 1800s; the War for Afghan Independence in 1919; and the Mau-Mau Uprising in 1952-1956 in Kenya. Color maps and other illustrations are included. Axelrod has been an editor, creative consultant, and historical consultant, and is the author of many books on history and military history --Book News Inc, November 2009

I have long believed that history largely consists of the many wars of mankind and this is confirmed in an excellent new book, Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact by Alan Axelrod. That may qualify as one of the longest titles of any new book this year! The author has had a long, distinguished career in and out of publishing and a consultant to television documentaries. He takes the reader on a fascinating tour that include what he calls the first Holocaust , the battle when Simon bar Kokhba initiated a rebellion against Rome, triggering a response that cost the lives of many Jews living in Israel from 132-135 BC. Other wars cited include the first wars of terror, the Barbary pirates versus the United States, and the Meji Rebellion in Japan. There are many interesting chapters that recount wars that often are not taught in schools and colleges, but which shaped history, ancient and modern --Book Views inc, November, 2009

About this edition

• Publisher: Fair Winds Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1592333753
• ISBN 13: 9781592333752
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288