Scan barcode
Reviews
Legion Versus Phalanx: The Epic Struggle for Infantry Supremacy in the Ancient World by Myke Cole
drprd's review
1.0
Wouldn't recommend, unless your only knowledge of ancient warfare comes from the moves 300 and Gladiator. Isn't engaging to read, and doesn't have the rigour of a text from a trained historian.
moave's review
5.0
Picked this up after I read The Bronze Lie. Myke's writing hadn't changed and I throughly enjoy reading his breakdowns. This book was easy to get through, and his approach to the subject shows his love for history.
memphisholli's review against another edition
Spent two hours listening to what he was going to tell me later. Also focused on military members and while that was not intended to be exclusionary -- it was
tcovey's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Military action as told by a person who understands engagement and strategy from first hand experience. The perspective of what combat was like for the individual Roman or Greek is unique.
scipio_africanus's review
5.0
This book was phenomenal. Highly detailed overviews of Legionary and Phalanx equipment, weapons, armor, and tactics. All based on primary sources, and including in depth descriptions of three big battles where legions and greek phalanx met. Highly recommend for people who love military history or ancient roman and greek history.
joshgauthier's review
4.0
History, presented correctly, is a drama fit to rival any novel on the shelf today. Myke Cole's Legion versus Phalanx works to take history out of the textbook and to present it as a living, breathing dramatic narrative.
In his introduction, Cole openly states that he is doing this work explicitly to satisfy his own geek interests in these topics. This is a book written--not for the classroom--but for the enjoyment of the average person. This is not to say that it is not as factual as other texts. Cole's attention to detail and source material is evident from start to finish. But the purpose underlying the book is a personal one--and Cole's passion for the subject matter is clear from start to finish.
The text occasionally repeats established points, and there are brief sections where names and details overshadow the reading experience--but these are fleeting issues in an otherwise excellent book. Cole bookends the discussion by providing broad context for his discussion before settling into six key battles which show the evolution of warfare in the ancient world. Being a novelist himself, Cole draws narrative from his sources--which are truly dramatic in their own rights as well. He makes clear where evidence is strong--as well as where he is making the liberties of assumption. What emerges is a dramatic story of human history--of pride and conflict, of victory and tragedy. Cole's presentation finds the humanity and the points of interest amidst the historical detail and weaves a connected narrative that is all the more fascinating for its truth.
This is clearly a labor of love presented to the reader in the hopes that we might also experience Cole's excitement for these historical figures--their ambitions and shortcomings all. He establishes himself as a trustworthy guide through the ancient world, and makes the material accessible to those of us who have little to no background in the subject matter. It's informative--ripe with detail and explanation--but it is also great fun to read. Under Cole's treatment, the connections and similarities between us and the figures of history do not seem so distant. This allows us, as readers, to find the lessons and the fascination in these conflicts that played out on distant battlefields so many generations ago.
In his introduction, Cole openly states that he is doing this work explicitly to satisfy his own geek interests in these topics. This is a book written--not for the classroom--but for the enjoyment of the average person. This is not to say that it is not as factual as other texts. Cole's attention to detail and source material is evident from start to finish. But the purpose underlying the book is a personal one--and Cole's passion for the subject matter is clear from start to finish.
The text occasionally repeats established points, and there are brief sections where names and details overshadow the reading experience--but these are fleeting issues in an otherwise excellent book. Cole bookends the discussion by providing broad context for his discussion before settling into six key battles which show the evolution of warfare in the ancient world. Being a novelist himself, Cole draws narrative from his sources--which are truly dramatic in their own rights as well. He makes clear where evidence is strong--as well as where he is making the liberties of assumption. What emerges is a dramatic story of human history--of pride and conflict, of victory and tragedy. Cole's presentation finds the humanity and the points of interest amidst the historical detail and weaves a connected narrative that is all the more fascinating for its truth.
This is clearly a labor of love presented to the reader in the hopes that we might also experience Cole's excitement for these historical figures--their ambitions and shortcomings all. He establishes himself as a trustworthy guide through the ancient world, and makes the material accessible to those of us who have little to no background in the subject matter. It's informative--ripe with detail and explanation--but it is also great fun to read. Under Cole's treatment, the connections and similarities between us and the figures of history do not seem so distant. This allows us, as readers, to find the lessons and the fascination in these conflicts that played out on distant battlefields so many generations ago.
jennjohnson's review
5.0
My husband and I read this together, at my suggestion. He usually pushes for nonfiction, and I like Myke Cole's work, so this historical study on a topic we're both interested in seemed like a good choice.
I'm not a history nerd and I usually struggle with things that have a strong military/strategy bend. This book, though, was easy for me to follow, and riveting from beginning to end. The well-told stories and descriptions brought the cultures and the people involved to life. Very well researched and explained, and held both of our interests throughout.
My only complaint is personal: I wish I'd read this _before_ I read The Eagle of the Ninth. It would have helped me appreciate that book on a different level.
I'm not a history nerd and I usually struggle with things that have a strong military/strategy bend. This book, though, was easy for me to follow, and riveting from beginning to end. The well-told stories and descriptions brought the cultures and the people involved to life. Very well researched and explained, and held both of our interests throughout.
My only complaint is personal: I wish I'd read this _before_ I read The Eagle of the Ninth. It would have helped me appreciate that book on a different level.