White-Spunner, Barney Nations in Arms

The Five Armies That Made Europe

The most important task of any government remains the defence of the state and its citizens. Traditionally, governments have used armed forces for this purpose. World events and the relatively peaceful state of Europe since 1989 have led most European governments to shift their focus to defence. However, recent events have proven that wars today are as vicious, violent, destructive and widespread as ever, and governments need to fundamentally rethink their relationship with armies and soldiers. History provides several examples of states that have successfully transformed their armies, both on the battlefield and in terms of their relationship with the state they are duty-bound to protect. This book looks at five armies that successfully adapted: the Roman army of Constantine the Great in the 4th century, the Ottoman army of Sultan Mehmet II in the 15th century, Cromwell's New Model Army from the English Civil War, the Prussian army from the Napoleonic Wars, and the US Army from World War II. Former senior officer and renowned military historian Barney White-Spunner draws lessons from their experiences to establish time-honoured principles that are as relevant today as they were in the 4th century AD. It is a book about armies, their loyalties, their organisation and their souls.