In many ways European history is the history of the world. The European people have had vast global influence throughout civilization due to their exploration, missionary work, and colonization. William Nester chronicles the history of warfare on the continent in Land of War: A History of European Warfare from Achilles to Putin. Beginning with the age of the Greeks and Romans he details the rise and fall of the continent’s great powers throughout the millennia all the way to the modern-day cyberwars. This includes highlighting the great military battles of generals like Alexander the Great and Napoleon and World War I and II.

Nester also documents the evolution of warfare. At the outset of the book military power was largely influenced by culture and ethos (i.e. Romans and Vikings). As time went on, warfare became more mechanized and intellectual. Military power was tied less to the raw characteristics or brutality of the soldier, but also advances in weapons capabilities, strength of supply chains, and quality of training and leadership. This is especially true for naval dominance. Whether it be military or merchant fleets a strong maritime industry became an indispensable part of warfare with the discovery of new lands by the Portuguese and Spanish.

The title Land of War is somewhat deceptive. The book describes how the shifts in the balance of power from North to South or East to West depended on a number of factors. Most notably, military power was often linked to economic power. The nations that remained strong through the years were the ones that focused on finance, manufacturing, and trade, as well as, military prowess. Land of War also explains how the spread of Christianity played a role in military conflict. This began with the rejection of paganism and acceptance of Roman Catholicism. The spread of Protestantism also contributed to several major wars on the continent.

Land of War is an excellent read. The breadth of information covered makes it a great resource for readers interested in a variety of topics including military history, European history, religion, globalization, and statecraft. The book flows nicely with no real dull moments.

I fully understand the history of all the military conflicts in Europe from the ancient Greeks until today is a vast topic, BUT over 500 pages are way too long for a book aimed at the general public. In short, Mr. Nester includes far too many details. Indeed, many of his lists of names or facts filled page after page on my Kindle. That said, the scholarship of the author is excellent. In summary, if you are very interested in military history, you will want to read "Land of War."

This was a fast paced and quick glide over the entire landscape of the history of warfare in Europe. To see someone capture this history so concisely and clearly is remarkable. A great overview of human conflict, I would recommend this to those who may be surprised by the current conflict in Ukraine.