From the earliest pieces to the sophisticated equipment used in the Gulf War of 1991, artillery has always played a deciding role in the outcome of battles. This illustrated history traces the development and use of artillery through the ages. The author describes the increasingly widespread use of artillery in many European conflicts, including the War of the Roses in Britain, and goes on to relate how the period 1601 to 1800 witnessed further dramatic developments in its design and use on the battlefield. From looking at many aspects of artillery in the wars of the 19th century, particularly the Napoleonic, American Civil, Crimean and Boer Wars, his account examines the use of artillery in the two great world wars of the 20th century and concludes with the smaller wars of the late millennium.