Bayonets for Hire: Mercenaries at War, 1550-1789

by William L. Urban

From the Greek professional armies of Alexander, through the Hundred Years War, indeed, to today, mercenaries have been ever-present, their role constantly evolving. In this compelling new history William Urban takes up their captivating and turbulent story from 1550 to 1763. The 16th century saw the beginning of a revolution in military technology and strategy. Political and economic systems were radically evolving, too. Mercenaries are often considered a marginal phenomenon, but Urban shows that they were integral to these developments. Increasingly not just individual soldiers and officers became mercenaries, but entire armies of well-equipped, well-trained, and, in time, experienced soldiers were available to friends and allies. By the late-1600s these armies had evolved into large and efficient fighting forces. By the mid-1700s military service had become a profession. The old-fashioned mercenary was less common, but he would not disappear until swept away by the volunteer armies of the French Revolution.

Genres: History, Military History, 18th Century, 17th Century, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Walgierz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Z przykrością stwierdzam, że książka ta bardzo mnie zawiodła. Nawet traktując ją jako popularnonaukową (bibliografia jest bardzo wybiórcza i uboga) łatwo zauważyć, że konstrukcja pracy jest kompletnie niezrozumiała. Pojawiają się też trudne do wytłumaczenia błędy jak nazywanie Anny Jagiellonki córką Zygmunta Augusta (w rzeczywistości była jego siostrą). Autor dość często wspomina o Rzeczypospolitej, ale wielokrotnie zdradza kompletny brak zrozumienia zasad, według których państwo to funkcjonowało. Nic dziwnego, zważywszy na to, że nie korzystał z dorobku polskiej historiografii (wspomniane są jedynie konkluzje Normana Davisa).
To, co mnie najbardziej razi, to fakt, że wbrew tytułowi nie dowiemy się za wiele o najemnikach. Całe rozdziały opowiadają o wielkich wojnach, bitwach i żołnierzach, ale najemnicy pojawiają się zazwyczaj w kontekście biogramów poszczególnych dowódców. Wszystko to sprawia wrażenie, jakby autor posklejał szereg opowieści (wykładów?) z historii nowożytnej ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem historii wojskowości.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a mixed bag. It purports to describe how mercenaries were used, and lived, during the mid-sixteenth century to the late eighteenth century. It somewhat accomplishes this goal, but also spends a fair amount of time discussing the major military campaigns of the time (admittedly, in which mercenaries fought) without really explaining the mercenary angle of many of the engagements. The organization of the book is also a bit odd. The chapters are roughly chronological, but sometimes the author gets excited and goes off on tangents that are more confusing than enlightening for the average reader. The flaws of the book make it hard to recommend to anyone who is not deeply interested in the topic.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view of European military/political history from the point of view that raising, training, and supporting an army constantly limited and influenced what autocrats and generals could do. Experienced military talent was scarce and usually had to be bought, and often changed sides if not paid. The tale is told with quite a bit of humor but the deluge of places and personalities is daunting. The book would have benefited greatly from maps IMO. I did my best to follow but many place names have changed.

[Old-Barbarossa · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole good.
Could have done with more maps...and my edition was riddled with typos.