The Wars of Louis XIV, 1667 - 1714

Modern Wars in Perspective

by John A. Lynn

Warfare dominated the long reign of Louis XIV. From 1672, France was continuously at war for over 40 years across Europe, from Sicily to Ireland, fielding the largest armies seen in the West since the fall of imperial Rome. Yet these conflicts - which shaped borders, determined lives, and settled crowns, and tell us so much about the great monarch's government and policies - have been strangely neglected by historians: this book is, astonishingly, the first comprehensive study in any language since the eighteenth century.

John A. Lynn (the leading authority on the subject today) examines these wars together, systematically. He sets them - and their consequences - in their full diplomatic, military, administrative, and institutional contexts. He explains why they took place when and where they did; he looks for a coherent strategic policy behind them: he explores the operational logistics of their campaigns; and he considers what they achieved, and what they cost.

The results are challenging: John Lynn portrays the mature Louis as far more concerned with defending his realm than he was with conquest. And, although the enormous cost of the wars shadowed the king's last years, Professor Lynn sees their achievements as more positive and enduring than is usually allowed.

To the king, warfare was a process of attrition rather than a series of decisive and hence risky, events. As the number and strength of his foes increased, Louis created an army far larger than that maintained by any previous French monarch. So great was the need for troops that he finally sacrificed his navy to concentrate his resources on his land forces. John Lynn characterizes this kind of warfare (which predominated in Europe since the end of the Thirty Years War to the onset of the French Revolution) as "war-as-process"; and he argues that, while it did not win Napoleonic-style battlefield triumphs, it was consistent with the International system of the day, and offered strategic advantages and lasting gains in a way that modern historians have been reluctant to acknowledge.

Written with all Professor Lynn's customary panache, this ambitious study offers a powerful central argument, an exhilarating breadth of vision, and a wealth of local detail. It will be necessary reading for specialists in the international relations of early-modern Europe, in the history and dynamics of ancien-regime warfare, and in French politics and institutions. But - as it sweeps us from Turenne and Vauban to Marlborough and Eugene - it is also a hugely enjoyable ride for those who take their history for pleasure and interest alone.

Genres: History, European History, France, Military History, Nonfiction, War, 18th Century

431 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 1999

About the author

John Albert Lynn is a professor emeritus of history at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a visiting professor at Northwestern University, Evanston. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Although he specializes in the military history of France from the early modern period through the revolution, he has taught classes spanning the entire range of military history, including classes on the military history of south Asia.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry in its delivery, but excellent in its conclusions. Books like this should be studied by our military, since limited war is more common than the total war they usually study.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this book, instead of just focusing on his major wars; the author dissects all 3 major wars the king of France was involved in (Dutch War, Nine Years War (or War of the Grand Alliance or League of Augsburg-take your pick) and the climax of the book - the War of Spansh Succession). Not only does the book explore Louis XIV's influence in the wars he partook but also the realities as well as the structures involved including the personalities within his own court and military but also his enemies. In the end, I found the book not only a great analysis of the events but also a wonderful story of the events that unfolded. Finally, My only caveat (and has been my major beef with a lot of books that cover military operations) is the lack of descent maps. There are maps but the detail is very sketchy. If you want to describe, let's say Villars's campaign in 1710, it would be nice to see where Bethune and Douai are in lieu of their distance from let's say the main siege lines. Aside from that, it comes with a great chronology.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor John Lynn provides an outstanding account of the Wars of Louis XIV. This is the first comprehensive military study of the Sun King's wars to be published in the English language. The study examines Louis XIV's formulation of foreign policy and strategy, quest for gloire, the French army and navy, along with the origins of the Sun King's wars and the subsequent military operations of the War of Devolution, Dutch War, War of Reunions, Nine Years' War, and War of the Spanish Succesion. The work includes ten maps, four tables, two figures, a chronology of military events, glossary of military terms, and a valuable bibliography. Highly recommended!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dense - and at times very dry - but comprehensive account of the many wars of Louis XIV. A good point of departure for the serious student wanting to have an initial overview and accordingly a solid point of reference.

[Miszor · Rating 4 out of 5]

bardzo dobre. wspaniała synteza, w punkt podsumowująca system wojen tamtych czasów, organizację i logistykę, powiązania społeczno-ekonomiczne oraz polityczne i dyplomatyczne z wojną w wieku XVII. szanuję za zdemolowanie tezy o wojnie ograniczonej. napisane wartkim, prostym językiem, z dynamicznym relacjonowaniem działań wojennych, mijającym nieistotne i mogące irytować pomniejsze kampanie. wszystko zawarte, synteza doskonała, szczególnie, że to jedyna książka o tej tematyce w Polsce. wszystkim zainteresowanym epoką Króla Slońce polecam razem z jakąś solidną biografią, książkami Magdziarza i biografią Colberta w zestawie. pozdrawiam.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A month-by-month accounting of campaigns and events, but the first three chapters (context), the inter-war period (Dragonnades) and the final chapter (conclusions) are particularly interesting on their own.

[Norman Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will echo other reviewers with my comments. This is pretty dry reading. It is also very well researched and presented and appears to be very thorough. If you are interested in the details of these wars, this is the book.

If you're looking for a heart-pounding read, this is not the book.

[Windsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this book could have been a series instead of one book. Still very good. At times lacked a little detail on the wars by focusing on the setup and actions of Louis.

[Альберто Лорэдо · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing work that it's kind of unique as it's the one that covers the overall setting of Louis XIV conflicts in quite a bit of detail. The author is very knowledgeable and the only flaw I could find it's the pro-French bias, which it kind of makes sense when studying this period from mostly French sources.

Fully recommended!

[Brendan Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging monograph for an academic write. The author is able to convey the series of events in an entertaining manner without too much flourish. The author’s thesis is well-supported.

[Aarthika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information and research.