Sandler Stanley (ed.) Ground Warfare. An International Encyclopedia. Volumes 1-3

ABC-Clio, 2002. — 1102 p. — ISBN: 1-57607-344-0.This companion to Walter Boyne's Air Warfare (ABC-CLIO, 2002) covers specific wars, battles, concepts, and some well-known individuals from the Battle of Kadesh (1274 B.C.E.) to mention of September 11, 2001, in the article on "Terrorism." The more than 1200 signed, well-written entries provide insight into the nature of war and synopses of events and lives and their significance. However, comprehension will be determined by readers' background knowledge of the almost 3300 years covered in the text. Each entry concludes with see-also notations and titles for further reading. The two-column format incorporates black-and-white reproductions, photos, and maps sparingly. Each volume begins with the same table of contents; lists of entries, maps, acronyms; and two-page glossary. Volume three contains a selected bibliography and an extensive index. While much of the information in this set can be found elsewhere, these volumes will be solid updates to most history collections.It covers its subject from ancient times to the present. Coverage is international in scope, and according to the introduction the intended audiences are scholars and general readers.
Entries are accompanied by an introduction; an alphabetical list of entries; a list of contributors; a list of abbreviations, terms, and acronyms; a select bibliography; and an index. Each signed entry is one-quarter to several pages in length and concludes with a short bibliography and, in most cases, cross-references. Scope encompasses biographies, battles, wars, raids, and weapons. Among its more than 1,200 entries, Ground Warfare includes some unusual discussions like Music, military; Religion and war; and Reporting, war. There are also entries for treatment of ground combat in the arts and for the roles played by women.The text is enhanced by appropriately placed black-and-white maps, illustrations, and photographs. Information is fairly current, covering the troubles in Peru, Rwanda, Somalia, and Yugoslavia through 2000.