Military History Book Club
A historiographical review of the most important works in Military History from the Iliad to the Vietnam War. Students are encouraged to bring and share their own books which they have read to class.
Keith (M.A. Military History)
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(362)
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
Beginner Level
This weekley class to learn about the classic works in Military History covering different time periods, authors, and subjects. (Historiography) During this class the teacher will present a classic work in Military History and discuss why it is an important work and why it should be considered a classic. In turn, the students will share with the teacher and each other important books they have read. Students are expected to ask questions concerning what are valuable sources of information for topics of their interest. Throughout the class students will learn to understand which military historians are the most trustworthy and why the nature of historical writing changes over time. Often excerpts from a selected work will be used to emphasize good historical writing and as an example of the style and manner of the historian in question. Students can "drop in" since each week will be a different book and no prior knowledge is necessary. The content does not build, thus each week will be a different book. These are the titles for the first ten weeks. As per the titles below a particular theme will be presented, first focusing upon the Great War and the Second World War, then other themes (e.g., Leadership) will be presented, other wise the books are not in a specific order. They are not required reading before class, but feel free to read them after the class if you wish. Other titles will follow, with a new title each week. Week of November 10 - The Art of War by Sun Tzu Week of November 17 - Strategy by Liddell Hart Week of November 25 - The Face of Battle by John Keegan Week of December 5 - A History of Warfare by John Keegan Week of December 12 - The First World War by John Keegan Week of December 17 - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer Week of December 24 - The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan Week of January 6 - D-Day by Stephen Ambrose Week of January 13 - D-Day: The Decision to Launch by Anthony Beevor Week of January 20 - Pegasus Bridge by Stephen Ambrose TWO GUIDES INCLUDED (Do NOT print out - for reference only): The Study and Use of Military History by Jessup AND An Introduction to Military History for Canadian Students
Learning Goals
Students will learn about trustworthy and reliable Military History books.
Students will learn the historiography of various topics in Military History.
Students will learn about the major military historians from Homer to Hanson.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
The Study and Use of Military History by Jessup
An Introduction to Military History for Canadian Students
Ancient Warfare
Hanson, Victor Davis. The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989.
Examines the brutal and disciplined nature of Greek hoplite warfare and its influence on Western military traditions.
Keegan, John. The Face of Battle. New York: Viking Press, 1976.
Analyzes three key battles from different periods (Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme) to understand the experiences of soldiers.
Medieval Warfare
Prestwich, Michael. Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996.
A comprehensive study of English military practices from the Norman Conquest to the Wars of the Roses.
Contamine, Philippe. War in the Middle Ages. Oxford: Blackwell, 1984.
Explores the nature of warfare in medieval Europe, including the social, economic, and technological factors that influenced it.
Early Modern Warfare
Parker, Geoffrey. The Military Revolution: Military Innovation and the Rise of the West, 1500-1800. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988.
Discusses the impact of military innovations on European society and the rise of Western global dominance.
Roberts, Michael. Gustavus Adolphus: A History of Sweden, 1611-1632. London: Longman, 1953.
A detailed biography of the Swedish king and military leader, highlighting his contributions to modern warfare.
Napoleonic Wars
Chandler, David G. The Campaigns of Napoleon. New York: Scribner, 1966.
A comprehensive and detailed account of Napoleon’s military campaigns, strategies, and battles.
Esdaile, Charles. Napoleon's Wars: An International History, 1803-1815. London: Allen Lane, 2007.
Offers a broad international perspective on the Napoleonic Wars, examining their global impact.
American Civil War
McPherson, James M. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning single-volume history of the American Civil War, covering political, social, and military aspects.
Foote, Shelby. The Civil War: A Narrative. New York: Random House, 1958-1974.
A three-volume, detailed narrative history of the American Civil War, focusing on military events and key figures.
World War I
Keegan, John. The First World War. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1998.
A comprehensive history of World War I, covering the causes, major battles, and consequences of the conflict.
Fussell, Paul. The Great War and Modern Memory. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1975.
Explores the literary and cultural impact of World War I, with a focus on the experiences of soldiers.
World War II
Ambrose, Stephen E. Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.
Follows the men of Easy Company through their training and combat experiences in Europe.
Beevor, Antony. Stalingrad. New York: Viking, 1998.
A detailed account of the Battle of Stalingrad, one of the most significant and brutal battles of World War II.
Vietnam War
Karnow, Stanley. Vietnam: A History. New York: Viking Press, 1983.
A comprehensive history of the Vietnam War, from its origins to its aftermath.
Sheehan, Neil. A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam. New York: Random House, 1988.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning account of John Paul Vann's experiences in Vietnam, offering a critical look at U.S. involvement in the war.
Modern Conflicts
Wright, Evan. Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War. New York: Putnam, 2004.
Chronicles the experiences of a Marine reconnaissance battalion during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Bowden, Mark. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1999.
An in-depth account of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, focusing on the experiences of American soldiers and their fight for survival.
Online Resources
The National Archives. "Military Records." Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.archives.gov/research/military
Provides access to a wide range of military records, including service records, battle reports, and official documents.
U.S. Army Center of Military History. "Books and Publications." Accessed August 13, 2024. https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat.html
Offers a collection of military history books and publications covering various periods and conflicts.
Military History Online. "Military History Articles and Resources." Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.militaryhistoryonline.com
A comprehensive resource for articles, book reviews, and forums on military history topics.
Joined September, 2020
5.0
362reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
3 Degrees
Master's Degree in History from American Military University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Maine at Farmington
Bachelor's Degree in History from Acadia University (Nova Scotia, Canada)
I have always been fascinated with Military History. I have taught honors level history for thirty years and have earned my Masters in Military History. Over the years I have learned that it is not the number of books one has it the quality therein that matters. Reviews
Live Group Class
$14
weekly1x per week
30 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-14 learners per class
