Revolutionary Armies in the Modern Era: A Revisionist Approach [Paperback]

This presents a major re-evaluation of the standard view of revolutionary armies, the range of attitudes towards the role of heroic individuals, the formation and leadership of armies, and the differences and similarities between such armies.
Beginning with an exploration of the New Model Army of the 1640s, a force whose name itself seems to denote its revolutionary credentials, the author presents ten case studies from around the globe, including the American War of Independence, The French Revolution, The Zulu-Boer War, the Waffen SS and the Viet-Cong. Through a detailed analysis of source material, he examines the images connected with these armies, both historical and recent, and assesses these images in their socio-political and nationalist contexts.This book presents a major re-evaluation of the standard view of revolutionary armies, the range of attitudes towards the role of heroic individuals, the formation and leadership of armies, and comparisons between such armies.'A compelling argument, written with verve and conviction' - Charles Carlton, North Carolina State University

'A thoughtful and interesting study that deserves attention.' - English Historical Review

'Exactly the sort of thing that should be on the reading lists of freshman students.' - The Journal of Military History

'[The] conclusion is certainly a highly valid lesson to be learned from a book which displays an impressive mastery of a very wide range of secondary sources.' - History ReviewIntroduction; Chapter 1 The New Model Army in the English Civil War, 16456; Chapter 2 The Continental Army in the War of American Independence, 177582; Chapter 3 The armies of the French Republic and the War of the First Coalition, 17927; Chal£‹