ENGLISH

War Elephants

Book information

Publisher
Praeger
Year
2006
ISBN
0275987612, 9780275987619
LCC
2005018882
Google Books ID
Y0sqI1fxfnMC
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
61 MB (63724846 bytes)
Pages
xvi+336\354
DPI
300
Orientation
portrait
Paginated
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2014-07-30 18:36:47

Description

Elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years. Asian powers boasted of their pachyderm power, while the Romans fielded elephants alongside their legendary legions but were, perhaps, too proud to admit that mere animals contributed to victory. Elephants have gored, stomped, and sliced their way through infantry and cavalry with great success. They have also been cut, speared, bombed, and napalmed for their efforts. This is the story of their largely forgotten role in the history of warfare. Generals throughout recorded history have used elephants as tanks, bulldozers, and cargo trucks long before such vehicles existed. Until gunpowder began to reduce the utility of elephants in battle during the 17th Century, these beasts built roads, swung swords, or simply terrified opposing forces. Although some believe that elephants were mere gimmicks of warfare, Kistler discredits that notion. His book hopes to give elephants the credit they deserve for the sacrifices they have endured. Elephants have long fought for and served human masters, but it is now the elephants themselves that must be protected.

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