Ian Heath Bücher

Die Autoren dieses Buches beschreiben, reich illustriert, die Geschichte dieser Völker, ihre Kämpfe und ihre Bewaffnung, und lassen so eine uns vielfach fremd erscheinende, aber auch ungemein faszinierende mittelalterliche Welt wieder auferstehen.

Covering a pivotal era from 600 AD to 1066, this book provides an in-depth exploration of various armies across Europe and beyond, including Byzantine, Viking, and Arab forces. It examines the military structures, strategies, and cultural influences of diverse groups such as the Lombards, Merovingians, and Normans, alongside lesser-known factions like the Pechenegs and Ghuzz. The detailed analysis highlights the evolution of warfare and the significant historical events that shaped these armies during the Dark Ages.

The Byzantines had a remarkably sophisticated approach to politics and military strategy. Unlike most of their contemporaries, they learnt very early in their history that winning a battle did not necessarily win a war, and they frequently bought off their enemies with treaties and bribes rather than squander men and matériel in potentially fruitless campaigns. The Byzantine army of the 10th and early 11th centuries, at the height of its power and efficiency, was the best-organised, best-trained, best-equipped and highest-paid in the known world. This splendid book by Ian Heath examines the Byzantine Armies from 886-1118, including the lusty, hard-fighting, hard-drinking 'barbarian' Varangian guard.

The Taiping movement began as the Pai Shang-ti Hui (the Society of God-Worshippers), founded in Kwangsi province in 1846 by Hung Hsiu-ch'uan. A sickly individual of questionable sanity. Hung had become subject to visions which interpreted as demonstrating that he was Jesus Christ's 'Divine Younger Brother', with God's mandate to govern China. This fascinating work by Ian Heath examines the organisation, dress and weapons of forces on both sides of the Taiping Rebellion – a conflict which saw the involvement of around 10 million troops during 15 years of conflict; as many as 600 cities change hands time and time again; and 20-30 million deaths.