British Military Spectacle

British Military Spectacle

Author: Scott Hughes Myerly

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 9780674082496

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In the theater of war, how important is costume? And in peacetime, what purpose does military spectacle serve? This book takes us behind the scenes of the British military at the height of its brilliance to show us how dress and discipline helped to mold the military man and attempted to seduce the hearts and minds of a nation while serving to intimidate civil rioters in peacetime. Often ridiculed for their constrictive splendor, British army uniforms of the early nineteenth century nonetheless played a powerful role in the troops' performance on campaign, in battle, and as dramatic entertainment in peacetime. Plumbing a wide variety of military sources, most tellingly the memoirs and letters of soldiers and civilians, Scott Hughes Myerly reveals how these ornate sartorial creations, combining symbols of solidarity and inspiration, vivid color, and physical restraint, enhanced the managerial effects of rigid discipline, drill, and torturous punishments, but also helped foster regimental esprit de corps. Encouraging recruitment, enforcing discipline within the military, and boosting morale were essential but not the only functions of martial dress. Myerly also explores the role of the resplendent uniform and its associated gaudy trappings and customs during civil peace and disorder--whether employed as public relations through spectacular free entertainment, or imitated by rioters and rebels opposing the status quo. Dress, drills, parades, inspections, pomp, and order: as this richly illustrated book conducts us through the details of the creation, design, functions, and meaning of these aspects of the martial image, it exposes the underpinnings of a mentality--and vision--that extends far beyond the military subculture into the civic and social order that we call modernity.


Book Synopsis British Military Spectacle by : Scott Hughes Myerly

Download or read book British Military Spectacle written by Scott Hughes Myerly and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 1996 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the theater of war, how important is costume? And in peacetime, what purpose does military spectacle serve? This book takes us behind the scenes of the British military at the height of its brilliance to show us how dress and discipline helped to mold the military man and attempted to seduce the hearts and minds of a nation while serving to intimidate civil rioters in peacetime. Often ridiculed for their constrictive splendor, British army uniforms of the early nineteenth century nonetheless played a powerful role in the troops' performance on campaign, in battle, and as dramatic entertainment in peacetime. Plumbing a wide variety of military sources, most tellingly the memoirs and letters of soldiers and civilians, Scott Hughes Myerly reveals how these ornate sartorial creations, combining symbols of solidarity and inspiration, vivid color, and physical restraint, enhanced the managerial effects of rigid discipline, drill, and torturous punishments, but also helped foster regimental esprit de corps. Encouraging recruitment, enforcing discipline within the military, and boosting morale were essential but not the only functions of martial dress. Myerly also explores the role of the resplendent uniform and its associated gaudy trappings and customs during civil peace and disorder--whether employed as public relations through spectacular free entertainment, or imitated by rioters and rebels opposing the status quo. Dress, drills, parades, inspections, pomp, and order: as this richly illustrated book conducts us through the details of the creation, design, functions, and meaning of these aspects of the martial image, it exposes the underpinnings of a mentality--and vision--that extends far beyond the military subculture into the civic and social order that we call modernity.


Occupied America

Occupied America

Author: Donald F. Johnson

Publisher: Early American Studies

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 0812252543

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In Occupied America, Donald F. Johnson chronicles the everyday lives of ordinary people living under British military occupation during the American Revolution. Focusing on port cities, Johnson recovers how Americans navigated dire hardships, balanced competing attempts to secure their loyalty, and in the end rejected restored royal rule.


Book Synopsis Occupied America by : Donald F. Johnson

Download or read book Occupied America written by Donald F. Johnson and published by Early American Studies. This book was released on 2020 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Occupied America, Donald F. Johnson chronicles the everyday lives of ordinary people living under British military occupation during the American Revolution. Focusing on port cities, Johnson recovers how Americans navigated dire hardships, balanced competing attempts to secure their loyalty, and in the end rejected restored royal rule.


Soldiers of Uncertain Rank

Soldiers of Uncertain Rank

Author: David Lambert

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2024-06-30

Total Pages: 263

ISBN-13: 1009464418

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A cultural, military and imperial history of the Black soldiers of Britain's West India Regiments.


Book Synopsis Soldiers of Uncertain Rank by : David Lambert

Download or read book Soldiers of Uncertain Rank written by David Lambert and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2024-06-30 with total page 263 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A cultural, military and imperial history of the Black soldiers of Britain's West India Regiments.


Spectacle, Reality, Resistance

Spectacle, Reality, Resistance

Author: David Gee

Publisher:

Published: 2015-01

Total Pages: 123

ISBN-13: 9780993095504

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Book Synopsis Spectacle, Reality, Resistance by : David Gee

Download or read book Spectacle, Reality, Resistance written by David Gee and published by . This book was released on 2015-01 with total page 123 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


A Brief History of the British Army

A Brief History of the British Army

Author: John Lewis-Stempel

Publisher: Robinson

Published: 2016-05-26

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1472136195

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The story of the British Army has many sides to it, being a tale of heroic successes and tragic failures, of dogged determination and drunken disorder. It involves many of the most vital preoccupations in the history of the island - the struggle against Continental domination by a single power, the battle for Empire - and a cast pf remarkable characters - Marlborough, Wellington and Montgomery among them. Yet the British, relying on their navy, have always neglected their army; from the time of Alfred the Great to the reign of Charles II wars were fought with hired forces disbanded as soon as conflict ended. Even after the stuggles with Louis XIV impelled the formation of a reulgar army, impecunious governments neglected the armed forces except in times of national emergency. In this wide-ranging account, Major Haswell sketches the medieval background before concentrating on the three hundred years of the regular army, leading up to its role in our own time. He presents an informed and probing picture of the organization of the army, the development of weaponry and strategy - and the everyday life of the British soldier through the centuries. John Lewis-Stempel has brought Major Haswell's classic work right up to date by expanding the section on the dissolution of empire to include a full account of Northern Ireland and the Falklands War. He has added a new chapter to cover the Gulf War, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq; also the increasing role of special forces and the amalgamation of regiments.


Book Synopsis A Brief History of the British Army by : John Lewis-Stempel

Download or read book A Brief History of the British Army written by John Lewis-Stempel and published by Robinson. This book was released on 2016-05-26 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The story of the British Army has many sides to it, being a tale of heroic successes and tragic failures, of dogged determination and drunken disorder. It involves many of the most vital preoccupations in the history of the island - the struggle against Continental domination by a single power, the battle for Empire - and a cast pf remarkable characters - Marlborough, Wellington and Montgomery among them. Yet the British, relying on their navy, have always neglected their army; from the time of Alfred the Great to the reign of Charles II wars were fought with hired forces disbanded as soon as conflict ended. Even after the stuggles with Louis XIV impelled the formation of a reulgar army, impecunious governments neglected the armed forces except in times of national emergency. In this wide-ranging account, Major Haswell sketches the medieval background before concentrating on the three hundred years of the regular army, leading up to its role in our own time. He presents an informed and probing picture of the organization of the army, the development of weaponry and strategy - and the everyday life of the British soldier through the centuries. John Lewis-Stempel has brought Major Haswell's classic work right up to date by expanding the section on the dissolution of empire to include a full account of Northern Ireland and the Falklands War. He has added a new chapter to cover the Gulf War, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq; also the increasing role of special forces and the amalgamation of regiments.


A History of the British Army ...

A History of the British Army ...

Author: Sir John William Fortescue

Publisher:

Published: 1906

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis A History of the British Army ... by : Sir John William Fortescue

Download or read book A History of the British Army ... written by Sir John William Fortescue and published by . This book was released on 1906 with total page 406 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Second World War Through Soldiers' Eyes

The Second World War Through Soldiers' Eyes

Author: James Goulty

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2016-07-31

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13: 1473875064

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'What was it really like to serve in the British Army during the Second World War?Discover a soldier's view of life in the British Army from recruitment and training to the brutal realities of combat. Using first-hand sources, James Goulty reconstructs the experiences of the men and women who made up the 'citizen's army'. Find out about the weapons and equipment they used; the uniforms they wore; how they adjusted to army discipline and faced the challenges of active service overseas.What happened when things went wrong? What were your chances of survival if you were injured in combat or taken prisoner? While they didn't go into combat, thousands of women also served in the British Army with the ATS or as nurses. What were their wartime lives like? And, when the war had finally ended, how did newly demobilised soldiers and servicewomen cope with returning home?The British Army that emerged victorious in 1945 was vastly different from the poorly funded force of 865,000 men who heard Neville Chamberlain declare war in 1939. With an influx of civilian volunteers and conscripts, the army became a citizens force and its character and size were transformed. By D-Day Britain had a well-equipped, disciplined army of over three million men and women and during the war they served in a diverse range of places across the world. This book uncovers some of their stories and gives a fascinating insight into the realities of army life in wartime.


Book Synopsis The Second World War Through Soldiers' Eyes by : James Goulty

Download or read book The Second World War Through Soldiers' Eyes written by James Goulty and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2016-07-31 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'What was it really like to serve in the British Army during the Second World War?Discover a soldier's view of life in the British Army from recruitment and training to the brutal realities of combat. Using first-hand sources, James Goulty reconstructs the experiences of the men and women who made up the 'citizen's army'. Find out about the weapons and equipment they used; the uniforms they wore; how they adjusted to army discipline and faced the challenges of active service overseas.What happened when things went wrong? What were your chances of survival if you were injured in combat or taken prisoner? While they didn't go into combat, thousands of women also served in the British Army with the ATS or as nurses. What were their wartime lives like? And, when the war had finally ended, how did newly demobilised soldiers and servicewomen cope with returning home?The British Army that emerged victorious in 1945 was vastly different from the poorly funded force of 865,000 men who heard Neville Chamberlain declare war in 1939. With an influx of civilian volunteers and conscripts, the army became a citizens force and its character and size were transformed. By D-Day Britain had a well-equipped, disciplined army of over three million men and women and during the war they served in a diverse range of places across the world. This book uncovers some of their stories and gives a fascinating insight into the realities of army life in wartime.


British Generals in Blair's Wars

British Generals in Blair's Wars

Author: Mr Richard Iron

Publisher: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.

Published: 2013-08-28

Total Pages: 553

ISBN-13: 1472401573

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This is a truly unique and invaluable book. For the first time, we are offered first-hand testimony about Britain's involvement in recent campaigns by senior participants. In addition to touching on themes like civilian-military relations, the operational direction of war and relationships with allies, these eyewitness accounts give a real sense of how the character of a war changes even as it is being fought. It will be essential reading for those in military academies and staff colleges, not only in Britain but throughout NATO, and especially in the USA. It also has profound policy implications, as both the UK and NATO more generally reassess their strategies and the value of intervention operations. It will also become a primary source for historians and students of the wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan in particular.


Book Synopsis British Generals in Blair's Wars by : Mr Richard Iron

Download or read book British Generals in Blair's Wars written by Mr Richard Iron and published by Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. This book was released on 2013-08-28 with total page 553 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a truly unique and invaluable book. For the first time, we are offered first-hand testimony about Britain's involvement in recent campaigns by senior participants. In addition to touching on themes like civilian-military relations, the operational direction of war and relationships with allies, these eyewitness accounts give a real sense of how the character of a war changes even as it is being fought. It will be essential reading for those in military academies and staff colleges, not only in Britain but throughout NATO, and especially in the USA. It also has profound policy implications, as both the UK and NATO more generally reassess their strategies and the value of intervention operations. It will also become a primary source for historians and students of the wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan in particular.


Building The Old Contemptibles: British Military Transformation And Tactical Development From The Boer War To The Great War, 1899-1914

Building The Old Contemptibles: British Military Transformation And Tactical Development From The Boer War To The Great War, 1899-1914

Author: Major Andrew J. Risio

Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing

Published: 2014-08-15

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 1782898859

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Impressed with the tactical lessons of the Boer War, the British Army reformed its doctrine and training from 1899 to 1914, deploying a combat ready force, the “Old Contemptibles” of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in 1914. Because of these changes, the BEF played a crucial role in Belgium and France in 1914. The lessons of the Boer War guided the British Army and its interwar reforms. The doctrine and training developed from 1902-1914 was a significant improvement over the pre-Boer War British colonial warfare tactics. With Haldane’s organizational reforms and Robert’s new doctrine, the British Army built the Old Contemptibles of the BEF. The battles of 1914 showed the BEF was the equal of any European contemporary in quality of its tactics and doctrine. The comparison of the BEF to the other combatants in 1914 does not stand in stark contrast. The BEF performed well but no better or worse than comparable German or French units did. What does stand in stark contrast is the BEF in 1914 when compared with the expedition to South Africa in 1899. The years of reform between these two expeditions were truly a crucible that built the Old Contemptibles.


Book Synopsis Building The Old Contemptibles: British Military Transformation And Tactical Development From The Boer War To The Great War, 1899-1914 by : Major Andrew J. Risio

Download or read book Building The Old Contemptibles: British Military Transformation And Tactical Development From The Boer War To The Great War, 1899-1914 written by Major Andrew J. Risio and published by Pickle Partners Publishing. This book was released on 2014-08-15 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Impressed with the tactical lessons of the Boer War, the British Army reformed its doctrine and training from 1899 to 1914, deploying a combat ready force, the “Old Contemptibles” of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in 1914. Because of these changes, the BEF played a crucial role in Belgium and France in 1914. The lessons of the Boer War guided the British Army and its interwar reforms. The doctrine and training developed from 1902-1914 was a significant improvement over the pre-Boer War British colonial warfare tactics. With Haldane’s organizational reforms and Robert’s new doctrine, the British Army built the Old Contemptibles of the BEF. The battles of 1914 showed the BEF was the equal of any European contemporary in quality of its tactics and doctrine. The comparison of the BEF to the other combatants in 1914 does not stand in stark contrast. The BEF performed well but no better or worse than comparable German or French units did. What does stand in stark contrast is the BEF in 1914 when compared with the expedition to South Africa in 1899. The years of reform between these two expeditions were truly a crucible that built the Old Contemptibles.


The Politics of the British Army

The Politics of the British Army

Author: Hew Strachan

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 9780198206705

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The British army, unlike some other armies, has never staged a coup d'etat. As a result it has prided itself on its ready subordination to parliamentary government, portraying its nature as essentially apolitical. The reality is very different. Armies are inherently political entities,embedded in the fabric of the state, and intimately involved in the formation and implementation of policy. Hew Strachan examines the history of the British Army since 1660 and shows that it is no exception. The behaviour of many of its most illustrious commanders, including Marlborough, Wellington,Wolseley, and Roberts, as well of more recent figures like Henry Wilson, William Robertson, and Gerald Templer, gives the lie to any strict demarcation between military and political spheres of responsibility. The Politics of the British Army is a work of history with profound contemporaryrelevance. For if the British army were to become genuinely apolitical - to practise what it preaches - it would be a less effective contributor to the management of Britain's defence.


Book Synopsis The Politics of the British Army by : Hew Strachan

Download or read book The Politics of the British Army written by Hew Strachan and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 1997 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The British army, unlike some other armies, has never staged a coup d'etat. As a result it has prided itself on its ready subordination to parliamentary government, portraying its nature as essentially apolitical. The reality is very different. Armies are inherently political entities,embedded in the fabric of the state, and intimately involved in the formation and implementation of policy. Hew Strachan examines the history of the British Army since 1660 and shows that it is no exception. The behaviour of many of its most illustrious commanders, including Marlborough, Wellington,Wolseley, and Roberts, as well of more recent figures like Henry Wilson, William Robertson, and Gerald Templer, gives the lie to any strict demarcation between military and political spheres of responsibility. The Politics of the British Army is a work of history with profound contemporaryrelevance. For if the British army were to become genuinely apolitical - to practise what it preaches - it would be a less effective contributor to the management of Britain's defence.