On the Fourth Day of the Giveway, time for books

I've accustomed you to lots of shinyness ( does this word even exist?), and I've forgotten to apply my first principle as a teacher: it's now time to educate. Ok, lightly, but still...

He had to do it...

Today's giveaway is about two books. The first one is a great history book, written by Philip Matyszak, Mithridates the great, Rome's indomitable ennemy.

Bon, apres tous ces jolis trucs bien appetissants, il etait necessaire de vous remettre sur le droit chemin. Aujourd'hui, culture, nom de diouss, avec d'abord ce super bouquin de Philip Matyszak. Alors oui, il est en Anglais, mais il est tres facile a suivre. Par comparaison, FOG a cote, c'est du Kant, c'est vous dire. Et en plus il est tres ympa et instructif, avec de bonnes idees de scenarios. Le second est de F.L. Taylor, à propos des guerres d'Italie. La encore, une lecture agréable et très instructive. Ils vous tentent? Vous savez ce que vous avez à faire.

First, here is the description:

"A military biography of Mithridates VI 'the Great' of Pontus, Rome's most persistent enemy. The Mithridiatic wars stretched over half a century and two continents, and have a fascinating cast of pirates, rebels, turncoats and poisoners (though an unfortunate lack of heroes with untarnished motives). There are pitched battles, epic sieges, double-crosses and world-class political conniving, assassinations and general treachery. Through it all, the story is built about the dominant character of Mithridates, connoisseur of poisons, arch-schemer and strategist; resilient in defeat, savage and vindictive in victory. Almost by definition, this book will break new ground, in that nothing has been written on Mithridates for the general public for almost half a century, though scholarly journals have been adding a steady trickle of new evidence, which is drawn upon here. Few enough leaders went to war with Rome and lived long to tell the tale, but in the first half of the first century BC, Mithridates did so three times. At the high point of his career his armies swept the Romans out of Asia Minor and Greece, reversing a century of Roman expansion in the region. Even once fortune had turned against him he would not submit. Upto the day he died, a fugitive drive to suicide by the treachery of his own son, he was still planning an overland invasion of Roman itself."

I really liked this book. It is well written, easy to follow, and full of adventure. Well at least for some parts, especially during Mithridates' youth and fall. It is also full of wargaming ideas, with good descriptions of the most important battles. So, to sum it up, it's really a good read.

Next book: the Art of war in Italy, by F.L. Taylor. It's a classic and a good reference book. I won't do a escription, I think it's pretty obvious. Once again, an easy read, with some good insights about tactics and logistics, and weapons too. Oh, and you have a good analysis of the battle of Ravenna. To sum it up, it's a very good intro to the period, but only on the warfare side.