'... exceptional ... beautifully illustrated ... A highly readable book, and an interesting one, both for the expert and the amateur enthusiast. A must for college libraries.' U. S. I. Journal
'Highly polished and well illustrated, this book is a comprehensive history of the Western (European) way of war, spanning ancient Greece to today's modern methods and policies of destruction ... The text is superbly supported by numerous and handy sidebars providing details, insights, and anecdotes ... Parker's conclusion is historically based and particularly chilling.' Library Journal
'... uniformly excellent...'. The VVa Veteran
'... this book deserves close attention from the student of military affairs ... The attractive volume makes imaginative use of diagrams, maps, and pictures, which serve far more than merely decorative purposes. In short, a valuable overview of the history of warfare, and a worthy companion of other fine one-volume surveys.' Foreign Affairs
'From an analysis of the Western habits of war to a review of developments which influenced the professional development of combat, this is recommended for any one studying history and conflict.' The Midwest Book Review
' ... [CIHW has] been pulled together by the finest military historian currently writing.' Jeremy Black
"...this book deserves close attention from the student of military affairs....The attractive volume makes imaginative use of diagrams, maps, and pictures, which serve far more than merely decorative purposes. In short, a valuable overview of the history of warfare, and a worthy companion of other fine one-volume surveys." Foreign Affairs
"Highly polished and well illustrated, this book is a comprehensive history of the Western (European) way of war, spanning ancient Greece to today's modern methods and policies of destruction....The text is superbly supported by numerous and handy sidebars providing details, insights, and anecdotes....Parker's conclusion is historically based and particularly chilling." Library Journal
"The volume's thesis, controversial for some, claims that it is the West's peculiar form of waging war that has led it to dominate so much of the globe. As the various essays in the book outline the development of war in the West, they very ably support that central thesis....copious illustrations--especially the battle plans and reconstructions....will be welcome reading to anyone who wants a broad overview of warfare." Bloomsbury Review