In an epic, monumental new volume – The Greenhill Dictionary of Military Quotations – Peter Tsouras brings 4,000 years of military history to life through the words of more than 800 soldiers, commanders, military theorists and commentators on war. Great figures from history – Napoleon, Machiavelli, Ataturk, 'Che' Guevara, Rommel, Julius Caesar, Wellington, Xenophon, Crazy Horse, Wallenstein, T.E. Lawrence, Saladin, Zhukov, Eisenhower and many, many more – sit side by side as a result of their participation in battle and the profession of arms across the ages. Their memorable sayings present every facet of the experience of war and incorporate the distilled wisdom of soldiers and leaders across the ages. The Greenhill Dictionary of Military Quotations is an incomparable insight into the realities of war from the sack of Summerian Ur in 2000 bc to the present day.
On appeasement: 'There is no merit in putting off a war for a year, if when it comes, it is a far worse war or one much harder to win.' – Sir Winston Churchill
For ease of reference, the quotes, which are fully sourced and dated, are broken down into more than 480 categories and subjects. The quotes, drawn from direct participation in battle and close observation, cover such areas as the art of war, courage, danger, failure, leadership, luck, military intelligence, tactics, training, guerrilla warfare and victory.
On judgement: 'Judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement' -- Simón Bólivar
Here is a fraternity of soldiers, first and foremost. Most of them have long since turned to dust, but their deeds and experiences remain as vital and as insightful as when they trod the earth with their thunder and acclaim. Follow them to their original sources – the histories, memoirs, textbooks and works of theory. If you let them, they will speak across time to you of the problems of leadership and command, of logistics, of tactics and strategy, the sinews of their art. They will speak to you of the human heart, comradeship, example, sacrifice, glory and death. And they are exhilerating company. If you are a serving soldier, the reward is not merely the satisfaction of a good read. It can also be, as General Wolfe knew, the road to success, and at the price of a small butcher's bill.
On deception: 'Though fraud in other activities be detestable, in the management of war it is laudable and glorious.' – Machiavelli
Wherever possible, Peter Tsouras has included the full quotation to provide the greatest understanding of the source's intent. All too often in the past, the most glib part of a quotation has been lifted out of its context and turned around in its meaning. Indices guide the reader to the most famous quotations, and to quotes on the great captains and major battles.
On soldiers: 'I don't know what effect these men will have on the enemy, but, by God, they frighten me.' -- Duke of Wellington on replacements sent to him in Spain
There is no substitute for wielding either scalpel or sword in medicine and war. The great national war leaders such as Lincoln, Clemenceau, Franklin Roosevelt and Thatcher are also included.
On famous last words: 'I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle the matter by lunchtime.' -- Napoleon, before Waterloo
Whether touching on the pain and suffering of war or the power and glory of battle, these quotes make exhilarating reading and an epic insight into the turbulent history of warfare and the lives and deeds of great warriors.
On fear: 'He who is afraid is half beaten.' – Suvorov
The editor, Peter G. Tsouras, is well known to readers of Greenhill's publications from such books as Disaster at D-Day, Gettysburg: An Alternate History and The Great Patriotic War.
On courage: 'Rascals! Would you live forever?!' – Frederick the Great leading reluctant soldiers into battle
FACTS AND FIGURES
A compound contents list with 485 categories and sub-categories. 5,943 quotations, arranged alphabetically by subject.
An Index of contributors. There are 833 contributors – 758 named individuals and 75 anonymous sources such as unattributable proverbs, maxims and orders. The top ten contributors, with the greatest number of quotations, are Napoleon (456), Lidell Hart (206), Clausewitz (182), Patton (163), Churchill (147), S. L. A. Marshall (131), Wellington (113), Frederick the Great (103), J. F. C. Fuller (101) and Emperor Maurice (83).
An Index of famous quotations.
An Index of quotations about great commanders.
An Index of quotes about great battles.
The Dictionary will be published in August, priced £29.95 and measuring 10 x 8in, and will have 560 pages.
On the press: 'I am sorry that the movements of the armies cannot keep pace with the expectations of the editors of papers.' – General Robert E. Lee
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