Barnes & Noble Books, 1995, isbn 0-76070-765-0
175 pages with extensive notes, index, select bibliography and bibliographical essay, chapters 7

"The tactical combination of pikemen and infantry armed with fire arms lay at the heart of the European military revolution." In seven short but information packed chapters the author details the revolutionary changes Europe under went in the Sixteenth Century. Each chapter is reinforced with both primary and secondary documentation. While the entire work places focus on England and English military thinkers the over all coverage is most complete. Various non-English authorities are used extensively. These authorities had a dramatic impact on English military planners.

Odd as it may seem but chapter one is both introduction and chapter One introducing the reader with the development of the actual and the practical results of period thinkers. While many of the suggested military theories of the time are dealt with the author subtanciates his own interpretation of them. Eltis weaves a complex yet simply written and easily understood text blending the preperiod and period authorities with secondary theorists.

The second chapter handles the Revolution and the historians. Here the basics for his final conclusion are outlined. Here too the author compares and contrasts the significance of history, weapons, and tactics with theories and practices. Having defined and exemplified all of this in Chapter Three he explains how equipment, tactics and training impacted the Sixteenth Century. It is primarily the combination of improved arms and training that came together to create the revolution. Practices in warfare had taken an important technological turn on the road of military history.

One entire chapter is devoted to and adequately reveals the development of sieges and fortifications. Like a logger on a float in a river jam the author explains how uneven the new siege warfare and fortification methodologies developed.

At the half way point in the book the author willingly directs his research to the stand point of English theorists and practitioners. Without hesitation Eltis defines the English development as being slow to take hold. However, it was during the "...struggle against Spain 1585-1604 {that} stimulated a more worthy performance".

The author concludes in Chapter Six that war "was transformed." This is revealed through English writers of the period who were impacted by Continental European thought on military experiences and changes growing from the military experiences of the previous century. The English spent much time learning what Continental Europeans had done in practice.

The entire book as well as the last chapter is truly a brief but effective survey of Sixteenth Century military thinking and its eventual implementation. Realizing the significance and vastness of the sources the author further concludes that he has created only an introduction to the subject; it is for the reader to carry on the work by further researching the topic and trusting his own interpretations of the subject.

As a source of primary and secondary literature on Fifthteenth and Sixteenth Century thinking this book is eye opening. All too often the primary sources of specific times are not easily found but here with chapters whose lengths are often equal to the substantiating and concluding foot notes at their end. All these notes are extensively supported in the Select Bibliography causing the reader to wonder which did the author really appreciate more his explanation of the now realized military revolution in the Sixteenth Century or the compiling of reference materials. In any case the book is a gem yielding both sources and interpretation.

To conclude this work is a best buy for those seeking real information on warfare in the Sixteenth Century. It may be found at most Barnes and Noble stores, believe it or not in the bargain book section. But then I did say this was a bargain.

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