Decisive Battles: Over 20 Key Naval And Military Encounters From 480 Bc To 1943 - Hardcover

War has been a fact of human life as long as history itself and has often been its determining factor. But what makes a military encounter “decisive?” For military historian John Colvin, it is when the outcome can be measured on a scale far wider than simple victory or defeat, when it can be seen to affect immediate history. Here, he discusses more than 20 battles that are recognizable turning points, from Salamis in 480 BC, through Hastings and Yorktown, to some of the major conflicts of the 20th century. Written with elegance and expertise, this is a work that illuminates a complex area of history.

John Colvin is a former naval officer who later joined the Diplomatic Service and then became a banker with Chase Manhattan and Robert Fraser. His published works include several books as well as articles and reviews.