Weapons and Warfare

From Ancient and Medieval Times to the 21st Century [2 volumes]

Spencer C. Tucker

• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781440867279
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9798216163862
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

This work covers major weapons throughout human history, beginning with clubs and maces; through crossbows, swords, and gunpowder; up to the hypersonic railgun, lasers, and robotic weapons under development today.

Weapons and Warfare is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and highly informative overview of weapons and their impact on the course of human history. In addition to providing basic factual information, this encyclopedia will delve into the greater historical context and significance of each weapon. The chronological organization by time period will enable readers to fully understand the evolution of weapons throughout history.

The work begins with a foreword by a top scholar and a detailed introductory essay by the editor that provides an illuminating historical overview of weapons. It then offers entries on more than 650 individual weapons systems. Each entry has sources for further reading. The weapons are presented alphabetically within six time periods, ranging from the prehistoric and ancient periods to the contemporary period. Each period has its own introduction that treats the major trends occurring in that era. In addition, 50 sidebars offer fascinating facts on various weapons. Numerous illustrations throughout the text are also included.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of Entries
• Foreword
• Preface
• Introduction
• I   Prehistoric and Ancient/Classical Periods (c. 5000 BCE–500 CE)
• II   Medieval and Renaissance Periods (c. 500–1600)
• III   Early Modern Period (c. 1601–1788)
• IV   Long 19th Century/Industrial Age (1789–1913)
• V   Short 20th Century (1914–1990)
• VI   Contemporary/21st-Century Period (1991–2019)
• About the Editor
• List of Contributors
• Index