Gary Sheffield – författare

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel exerted an almost hypnotic influence not only over his own troops but also over the Allied soldiers of the Eighth Army in the Second World War. Even when the legend surrounding his invincibility was overturned at El Alamein, the aura surrounding Rommel himself remained unsullied.In this classic study of the art of war Rommel analyses the tactics that lay behind his success. First published in 1937 it quickly became a highly regarded military textbook, and also brought its author to the attention of Adolph Hitler. Rommel was to subsequently advance through the ranks to the high command in the Second World War. As a leader of a small unit in the First World War, he proved himself an aggressive and versatile commander with a reputation for using the battleground terrain to his own advantage, for gathering intelligence, and for seeking out and exploiting enemy weaknesses.Rommel graphically describes his own achievements, and those of his units, in the swift-moving battles on the Western Front, in the ensuing trench warfare, in the 1917 campaign in Romania, and in the pursuit across the Tagliamento and Piave rivers. This classic account seeks out the basis of his astonishing leadership skills, providing an indispensable guide to the art of war.

Wellington is a giant because he was one of the greatest military commanders in British history, an important figure in the emergence of Britain as a great imperial power, a man who dominated British society and politics for 35 years. He was the only one of Napoleon’s contemporaries who can be mentioned in the same breath as a general - a master of logistics, politics and coalition warfare as well as strategy, operations and tactics. The book’s focus is on Wellington’s military career, and it looks at all of these aspects, placing them in the context of the military and political developments of the time. It explores Wellington’s personality – a key to understanding his success - and briefly examines his post-Waterloo career as a politician. It concludes that Wellington was not only a military genius, but an icon whose fame endures to our own time.

This is a broad ranging reader in the growing subject of War Studies. It includes respected contributors, with each chapter set out clearly and with contextual background. War Studies is an increasingly popular subject at degree, masters and doctorate level, as well as aspects of it being taught at A level. Here at last is a subject reader that will provide authoritative and thought provoking pieces of scholarship in an accessible form. Topics covered include Strategic Theory and the History of War (Daniel Moran), The Uses and Abuses of Clausewitz (Eric Alterman), Victory Misunderstood: what the Gulf War Tells Us About the Future of Conflict (Stephen Biddle), Early American Ways of War: 1600 - 1815 (John Shy) and Was the Civil War a Total War? (Mark Neeley). There is no accepted definition of War Studies for it is a particular blend of military history, international relations and contemporary security. Thus this reader purposefully gives broad coverage to the subject. Each topic is covered by one of two significant articles or book chapters with an introduction from the editor to provide context.There will also be a general introduction, explaining the growth and development of this area of study.

This is a broad ranging reader in the growing subject of War Studies. It includes respected contributors, with each chapter set out clearly and with contextual background. War Studies is an increasingly popular subject at degree, masters and doctorate level, as well as aspects of it being taught at A level. Here at last is a subject reader that will provide authoritative and thought provoking pieces of scholarship in an accessible form. Topics covered include Strategic Theory and the History of War (Daniel Moran), The Uses and Abuses of Clausewitz (Eric Alterman), Victory Misunderstood - what the Gulf War Tells Us About the Future of Conflict (Stephen Biddle), Early American Ways of War - 1600 - 1815 (John Shy) and Was the Civil War a Total War? (Mark Neeley). There is no accepted definition of War Studies for it is a particular blend of military history, international relations and contemporary security. Thus this reader purposefully gives broad coverage to the subject. Each topic is covered by one of two significant articles or book chapters with an introduction from the editor to provide context.There will also be a general introduction, explaining the growth and development of this area of study.

In 1918, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) played a critical role in defeating the German army and thus winning the First World War. This 'Hundred Days' campaign (August to November 1918) was the greatest series of land victories in British military history. 1918 also saw the creation of the Royal Air Force, the world's first independent air service, from the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. Until recently, British histories of the First World War have tended to concentrate on the earlier battles of 1916 and 1917 and often underplayed this vitally important period.Changing War fills this significant gap in our knowledge by providing in-depth examinations of key aspects of the operations of the British Army, the Royal Air Force and its antecedents in the climactic year of the First World War. Written by a group of established historians and emerging scholars it sheds light not only on 1918, but on the revolutionary changes in warfare that took place at that time.

In 1918, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) played a critical role in defeating the German army and thus winning the First World War. This 'Hundred Days' campaign (August to November 1918) was the greatest series of land victories in British military history. 1918 also saw the creation of the Royal Air Force, the world's first independent air service, from the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. Until recently, British histories of the First World War have tended to concentrate on the earlier battles of 1916 and 1917 and often underplayed this vitally important period.Changing War fills this significant gap in our knowledge by providing in-depth examinations of key aspects of the operations of the British Army, the Royal Air Force and its antecedents in the climactic year of the First World War. Written by a group of established historians and emerging scholars it sheds light not only on 1918, but on the revolutionary changes in warfare that took place at that time.

The First World War was a watershed in world history. Tragic but far from futile, its origins, events and legacy have roused impassioned debate, creating multiple interpretations and confusion for those encountering the period for the first time.Synthesising the latest scholarship, acclaimed historian Gary Sheffield cuts to the heart of the conflict. He explores such key issues as:- the causes of war- the great battles on land, sea and in the air- the search for the peace and peace settlements- the political, social and economic consequences- the impact of 'total war' on the belligerents and the individual- and the place of the Great War in the history of warfare Accessible and authoritative, this is the ultimate introduction for anyone wanting a clear understanding of what happened and why.

‘ Well written and persuasive … objective and well-rounded… .this scholarly rehabilitation should be the standard biography’ **** Andrew Roberts, Mail on Sunday‘ A true judgment of him must lie somewhere between hero and zero, and in this detailed biography Gary Sheffield shows himself well qualified to make it … a balanced portrait’ Sunday Times‘ Solid scholarship and admirable advocacy’ Sunday TelegraphDouglas Haig is the single most controversial general in British history. In 1918, after his armies had won the First World War, he was feted as a saviour. But within twenty years his reputation was in ruins, and it has never recovered. In this fascinating biography, Professor Gary Sheffield reassesses Haig’ s reputation, assessing his critical role in preparing the army for war.