I am so grateful that being a podcaster allows me to interview some of the best minds in their field, and as you’ll soon realise, Rachael Whitbread is a rising star amongst military historians, particularly in relation to military life in the middle ages, including the specialist areas of tournaments and duelling.
Rachael has co-penned a simply stunning study of a range of military themes from the early medieval era right through to modern times with Dr Graeme Callister—and I am thrilled to announce that he, too, will be joining me on the show in a few weeks time to discuss those parts of the book for which he was primarily responsible, the post-medieval eras.
Battle: Understanding Conflict from Hastings to Helmand is, quite simply, one of the most fascinating titles I have read since the heady days of the late 1970s and the appearance of John Keegan’s The Face of Battle, which I know many of you will have on your shelves as one of the most-thumbed volumes that you own. So many sets of wargame rules owe so much to the information it contained, and I feel that Battle will also prove to be a valuable companion for wargamers seeking to understand what they are portraying on the tabletop or, indeed, in campaigns.
Rachael and I discuss the book in a fair amount of detail without, I hope, too many spoilers, by focusing on the themes raised by several chapters in the book, giving an indication of both the breadth and depth of research that has gone into its pages. Prepare to be surprised! It deserves to do well and I’m delighted to say that as I sit typing this, the book has hit the #1 spot on Pen & Sword’s lists (a coveted position that I am proud to say my Wargaming Campaigns and, before it, The Wargaming Compendium held for several weeks), so well done Rachael and Graeme!
But Rachael is already typing furiously to produce her next book, Duel. Single Combat in Medieval England, which promises to do for individual combat what Battle has done for pitched battles. As someone who has been involved in re-enactment, I was especially interested to hear what she has to say about this aspect of martial life.
So, sit back and enjoy Rachael talking with huge enthusiasm about her love for military history, and the release of Battle which is sure to storm the best-seller lists amongst military history and wargaming enthusiasts alike.
Henry
Battle: Understanding Conflict from Hastings to Helmand on the Pen & Sword website
Other books mentioned in the show:
The Face of Battle by John Keegan
The Military Experience in the Age of Reason by Christopher Duffy
Motivation in War by Ilya Berkovich
The Sharp End of War by John Ellis
Firing Line by Richard Holmes
The Scars of War by Hugh McManners
On Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
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