The Handy Military History Answer Book

Beginning with 3,000 BCE, Crompton (The Handy Civil War Answer Book) chronicles the military battles of humankind through 2014. Fifteen chapters divide the text into broad categories: "Empires and Barbarians"; "Age of Revolution"; "Nationalities and Grim Practicalities"; "From Coal to Oil"; and "Resource Wars and Religious Conflicts," among others. Within those chapters, seemingly arbitrary and often contrived questions are posed and then answered in a few sentences up to two paragraphs each. Some questions and answers are highlighted in gray boxes, but no indication is given as to how these selections were determined. Black-and-white photos liberally illustrate the text, yet captions are sometimes lacking. Information appears to be accurate though some answers could be interpreted as opinion. The discussion of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the immediate time thereafter is garbled, with incorrect dates and chronology. There is a great deal of information here; however, it will be difficult to glean. A standard text with subtopics might have been a better format.