From the Trojan Horse to a photograph snapped in Vietnam, world history has been shaped as much by chance and error as by courage and heroism. Despite impossible odds, invincible armies fall in bitter defeat to weaker opponents. How and why does this happen? What decides the fate of battle? In this fascinating book, Erik Durschmied takes us through the major conflicts of historyfrom Agincourt to … to the Civil War, from Crimea to the Gulf Warand reveals how, in war, it is the improbable and the inconceivable that determine events.
Writing with the style and flair that made him an award-winning war correspondent, Durschmied explores the fistful of nails that could have won Waterloo for Napoleon; the barrel of schnapps that proved disastrous for an Austrian emperor; and the three cigars that changes the course of Antietam; and many other instances when chance decided history’s path. Conflicts are decided by the caprice of weather, erroneous intelligence, unlikely heroism, strange coincidence, or individual incompetencein short, by the unpredictable hinge factor.”
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history–books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
more
Well written. A page turner.
The “Butterfly Effect” in a different way. This is a collection and analysis of some of histories most important battles together in one book, The true to history battle narritives are extremely vivid and well done. The book points out the silliness and tragedy of the effects of stupid decisions, ignorance, arrogance, stupid rules, an accidental thunderstorm, poor eyesight, ego, etc.. The book keeps you on the edge of your seat. Informative, good read!
It’s all about military activities. I expected it to include more domains than just military.
Great historical accounts. I learned a lot about history and about some very interesting chance turning points.
Writing was substandard and was the research. Not worth it.
Gives a good accounting of various battles in history lost due to oversights, mistakes and overall poor tactical decisions.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on Napoleon at Waterloo.
One learns much more from errors and failures – his own or from others – than by success and achievements.
Easy read, informational on historical events now mostly forgotten
Informative info about a subject we all thought existed but didn’t know the details. Suffered from the typical English viewpoint of history (unless you’re English of course).
meh. This could have been an excellent subject, because often enough mistakes can result in global consequences. Sadly, some other author will have to take it on.
Really could have been better. Author’s pro-German, Germans-did-everything- better attitude was evident.
Well written, but I got real tired of reading about the stupidity of man and his thirst for war. I ended up skimming and skipping. Nothing seemed to change from battle to battle.
Not interesting
Superficial analysis
Learning about pivotal game-changers has been an eye opener. An original twist to “the rest of the story”
Fascinating.
Well written. Events clearly described.
Didn’t realize this book was mostly about military history and didn’t finish it.
Some of the events related were just hard to read. The waste of human life due to stupid mistakes and pride. Kind of depressing.