How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost: From Ancient Greece to Iraq

The Savior Generals: How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq

by Victor Davis Hanson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7617 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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In the annals of military history, there are countless stories of great commanders who led their armies to victory against seemingly insurmountable odds. But what about the commanders who saved wars that were already lost? These are the unsung heroes of history, the men and women who turned the tide of battle when all hope seemed lost.

In his new book, "How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost," author John Keegan tells the stories of five such commanders: Themistocles, the Athenian general who defeated the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC; Belisarius, the Byzantine general who reconquered North Africa and Italy from the Vandals and Ostrogoths in the 6th century AD; Joan of Arc, the French peasant girl who led the French army to victory over the English at the Battle of Orleans in 1429; Frederick the Great, the Prussian king who defeated the combined armies of Austria, France, and Russia in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763); and Ulysses S. Grant, the American general who won the Civil War (1861-1865).

Keegan's book is a fascinating and inspiring account of these five great commanders and the wars they saved. He shows how each commander used a combination of leadership, courage, and strategy to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and achieve victory. Keegan's book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, leadership, or the human spirit.

Themistocles and the Battle of Salamis

In 480 BC, the Persian king Xerxes invaded Greece with an army of over 200,000 men. The Greeks were outnumbered and outmatched, and it seemed that all hope was lost. But then Themistocles, the Athenian general, came up with a plan. He convinced the Greeks to abandon their homes and retreat to the island of Salamis. There, the Greeks would have the advantage of fighting on the water, where their superior navy could defeat the Persian fleet.

The Battle of Salamis was a decisive victory for the Greeks. The Persian fleet was destroyed, and Xerxes was forced to retreat. Themistocles' victory saved Greece from invasion and preserved Greek civilization.

Belisarius and the Reconquest of North Africa and Italy

In the 6th century AD, the Byzantine Empire was on the verge of collapse. The Vandals had conquered North Africa, and the Ostrogoths had conquered Italy. But then Belisarius, a young Byzantine general, emerged as a savior. Belisarius led a small army to North Africa, where he defeated the Vandals and reconquered the province for the Byzantine Empire.

Belisarius then turned his attention to Italy. He defeated the Ostrogoths in a series of battles and reconquered the peninsula for the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius' victories saved the Byzantine Empire from collapse and preserved the Roman Empire in the East.

Joan of Arc and the Battle of Orleans

In 1429, the English were on the verge of conquering France. The French army had been defeated, and the English were laying siege to the city of Orleans. But then Joan of Arc, a peasant girl from the village of Domrémy, emerged as a savior. Joan of Arc claimed to have been visited by the Archangel Michael, who told her to lead the French army to victory.

Joan of Arc led the French army to a series of victories, and the English were forced to lift the siege of Orleans. Joan of Arc's victory saved France from conquest and preserved the French monarchy.

Frederick the Great and the Seven Years' War

In 1756, Prussia was attacked by a coalition of Austria, France, and Russia. The Prussian army was outnumbered and outmatched, and it seemed that all hope was lost. But then Frederick the Great, the Prussian king, emerged as a savior. Frederick the Great led his army to a series of stunning victories, and the coalition was forced to sue for peace.

Frederick the Great's victory saved Prussia from destruction and established Prussia as a major power in Europe. Frederick the Great's victories also marked the beginning of the modern era of warfare.

Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War

In 1861, the American Civil War broke out. The Union army was outnumbered and outmatched, and it seemed that the Confederacy would win. But then Ulysses S. Grant, a Union general, emerged as a savior. Grant led the Union army to a series of victories, and the Confederacy was forced to surrender.

Grant's victory saved the Union and preserved the United States of America. Grant's victories also marked the beginning of the modern era of warfare.

The five commanders profiled in this book are all examples of great leadership, courage, and strategy. They saved wars that were lost and preserved their nations. Their stories are inspiring examples of the human spirit and the power of leadership.

The Savior Generals: How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq

by Victor Davis Hanson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7617 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE