The Face of Battle

By John Keegan,

Book cover of The Face of Battle

Book description


John Keegan's groundbreaking portrayal of the common soldier in the heat of battle -- a masterpiece that explores the physical and mental aspects of warfare

The Face of Battle is military history from the battlefield: a look at the direct experience of individuals at the "point of maximum danger." Without…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Face of Battle as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Keegan popularized a new kind of military history, history focused on the experience of those “at the sharp end” of battle. Generals may as individuals have the most influence on the course of battle, but Keegan argues that, taken together, the men doing the fighting have more influence than the generals. He describes the experiences of men in three famous battles, and shows how tactics evolved but the demands of facing death remained all too familiar. I love this book for using history to find the psychology of men in combat.

There are many military histories. However, Keegan’s account talks about what battle is really like for those who fight them. Although he only dwells on the Battle of the Somme in the twentieth century, his telling of it is compelling. There are few battles as tragic and heroic as the Somme.

From Stewart's list on 20th century conflict.

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