--- product_id: 1771941 title: "The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008" brand: "edward shepherd creasy" price: "VT4635" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/1771941-the-fifteen-decisive-battles-of-the-world-from-marathon-to store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008 **Brand:** edward shepherd creasy **Price:** VT4635 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008 by edward shepherd creasy - **How much does it cost?** VT4635 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/1771941-the-fifteen-decisive-battles-of-the-world-from-marathon-to) ## Best For - edward shepherd creasy enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted edward shepherd creasy brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WI2Q4wsXL.jpg) ![The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008 - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mzGW9OYjL.jpg) ![The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) Paperback – Unabridged, June 11, 2008 - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31WH3+H5o+L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Classic, But Definitely A Product Of Its Age *by N***T on Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2014* In choosing a list of decisive battles or noteworthy battles, there are some serious difficulties that one faces. This fact, a critical problem today, was even more a case in the 19th century, where national history was such an overwhelming concern that it is little surprise that so many of the battles chosen appear to be decisive not necessarily from a global perspective but from an English perspective. Indeed, someone like Victor Davis Hanson could very easily write the same sort of work today with the same general approach, many of the same battles, and many of the same textual sources in his research. What was acceptable in the 19th century is not always so, and there are some parts of this book, like the author's obvious Anglo-Saxon ethnic pride, or his racialism insofar as it relates to other European nations, to say nothing of his mortifying and broad social judgments on other peoples, like the Syrians, for example.That said, if you can accept this book as a product of its time, there is much to appreciate here. The book is well-written, has chosen its source material and battles well (again, given its context), and often has a sense of poetry as well as humanity and decency. The author writes about battles and war, but recognizes the horrors that provoke conflict and also mark its conduct. No one reading this book will think that the author glorifies bloodshed, but neither does the author shirk the unpleasant truth that sometimes conflict is necessary because we live in a fallen world that is bent by evil. The battles chosen are generally of two kinds--either they are battles of a national nature (Orleans, Syracuse, Waterloo, Blenehim, Saratoga) or of a conflict between different civilizations (Marathon, Tours, Chalons). Some of the explanations are lengthy, and some are very short. In all cases, where the author can find a source that humanizes the conflict, though, this instinct is chosen, and it is a good instinct to have as it makes this a more excellent book even with its flaws.The largest flaw in this book, though, is the book's focus on Western battles to the exclusion of the decisive conflicts of other civilizations. For example, the battles that preserved Japanese independence from Mongol invasion were truly decisive in world history, as was the battle of the Talas River that spread papermaking to the Middle East and that gave the Chinese empire a permanent Muslim problem in Central Asia. To be sure, many other battles could be chosen that had a dramatic effect on some part of the world. An exercise in writing about great generals or decisive battles is likely to be immensely arbitrary, especially because what is truly decisive cannot always be known until long after the fact, and that which seems to be of enduring importance can sometimes end up being ephemeral, while that which seems minor and insignificant can end up being of pivotal importance. Read today, this book provokes a question of what important battles were neglected, which in turn should provoke the writing and release of even better books which serve to balance the flaws of this august volume, hopefully without losing its virtues. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It is a deplorable necessity *by A***S on Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2016* Creasy's book was first published in 1841 when the author had retired as Chief Justice of Ceylon. In his introduction, Creasy describes why he chose battles as topic for his book and why he decided on just these fifteen battles. He says that "it cannot be denied that a fearful and wonderful interest is attached to these scenes of carnage. There is undeniable greatness in the disciplined courage, and in the love of honor, which make combatants confront agony and destruction." When the book was written, Waterloo and Napoleonic wars were still in fresh in people's memories and Creasy devoted a large portion of his book to this conflict - quoting contemporary poetry at length. There long excerpts of letters, reports or memoirs convey a sense of impending pandemonium more than all other descriptions. Several ancient battles were compared to the struggle against Napoleon - "for seventeen years Hannibal strove against Rome; for sixteen years Napoleon Bonaparte strove against England." Creasy begins his book with the Battle of Marathon and stirring descriptions of the participants (the Greeks) as well as their respective outlook and environment. Next he discusses the defeat of the Athenians at Syracuse using contemporary (Victorian) analyses by Niebuhr and Arnold. Every chapter includes several reactions of leaders that were not involved - for example, Napoleon on Alexander's victory over the Persians at Arbela - and I found that my astonishment and horror was quite often shared by "experts." We read about the defeat of Roman legions, the Battle of Tours, the decisive victory of Joan of Arc at Orleans, the surprising fiasco of the Spanish Armada; Marlborough's command at Blenheim; the Swedish actions at Pultowa; the American win over British forces at Saratoga; the unexpected win of revolutionary France at Valmy. It is a survey of fifteen battles - not a definitive work on each of them. Creary's breadth of knowledge and sources is astonishing. His language is that of a scholar of the 19th century. It is a great book. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A true classic *by R***M on Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2014* I really enjoyed this book, it really holds up after a century and a half. Despite the authors biases and prejudices this book really educates the reader, especially on the political climates of the day and what factors lead to each battle. While I may not agree with the assumption that each of these fifteen battles decided the fate of civilized society, I do appreciate the importance of each to the world as it was during the time and what it helped prevent in each case.As an American reader, what truly surprised me and what I will take away most from this book is the respect that our country had received from the European's after on 75 years of existence. Sir Creasy was nice enough to include quotes and passages from other historians of this day, and reading the opinion's of the French and British historians about our country and it's boundless possibilities (as evident in the mid 19th Century) really made me proud of our founding father even that much more.The last of the fifteen battles, Waterloo, was really an eyeopener as Sri Creasy was able to include so many quotes from participants biographies and personal papers, that it added a multiple dimension to the chapter, unlike any other historical piece that I have ever read. The vast experiences, so different yet so similar (in the great sacrifices and bloodshed on the field), really helped bring the reader in and allowed them to see the great horror of War, kind of like the first twenty minutes of Saving Private Ryan did.I highly recommend this book. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/1771941-the-fifteen-decisive-battles-of-the-world-from-marathon-to](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/1771941-the-fifteen-decisive-battles-of-the-world-from-marathon-to) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-09*