A grand sweeping military history of the “pike and shot” era, with a particular emphasis on the Thirty Years’ War in Europe (1618–1648). Originally published in two volumes, the first covers the life of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and known as “The Lion of the North” by his many opponents. Born into an era of constant warfare, he became king at 17, transformed the Army of Sweden into the first truly modern military machine, and led it in person for twenty years until his untimely death at the battle of Lützen. His innovations in training, equipment, and tactics made Sweden the dominant Baltic power for the next one hundred years, and have earned him the title of the “father of modern warfare.” The second volume explores the many battles of other great generals of the era, including Tilly, Wallenstein, Turenne, Condé, Eugene, and Marlborough.

Theodore Ayrault Dodge’s illustrated history was first published in 1895, as part of his “Great Captains” series. This ebook edition combines both volumes, and includes an active table of contents, reflowable text, and nearly 250 line drawings and battle maps.

Table of Contents:
 • I. The Era of Cavalry. 378–1315
 • II. Reappearance of Infantry. 1315–1500
 • III. Changes in Tactics. Sixteenth Century
 • IV. The Swedish Army-Changes. 1523–1632
 • V. The Swedish Organization and Tactics. 1611–1632
 • VI. The Young Prince and King. 1611–1617
 • VII. The Polish Wars. 1617–1625
 • VIII. The Thirty Years’ War. Religious Phase. 1618–1625
 • IX. The Danish Period. 1625–1630
 • X. The Polish Wars continue. 1625–1627
 • XI. The Polish Wars end. 1628–1629
 • XII. The Swedish Period begins. January to June, 1630
 • XIII. Gustavus Lands in Germany. June to August, 1630
 • XIV. Gustavus Attacks the Enemy. September to December, 1630
 • XV. Winter-Quarters at Bärwalde. January, 1631
 • XVI. Gustavus and Tilly Manœuvre. February to April, 1630
 • XVII. Magdeburg. September, 1630, to May, 1631
 • XVIII. Gustavus Advances to the Elbe. June and July, 1631
 • XIX. Tilly Invades Hesse-Cassel and Saxony. August, 1631
 • XX. Breitenfeld. September 17, 1631
 • XXI. Towards the Main. September and October, 1631
 • XXII. Mainz. November, 1631
 • XXIII. To the Danube. December, 1631, to April, 1632
 • XXIV. The Crossing of the Lech. April 15, 1632
 • XXV. The Reappearance of Wallenstein. January to June, 1632
 • XXVI. Nürnberg. July and August, 1632
 • XXVII. The Assault on the Alte Veste. September, 1632
 • XXVIII. Sparring. September, 1632
 • XXIX. Back to Saxony. October and November, 1632
 • XXX. Lützen. November 16, 1632
 • XXXI. The Man and Soldier
 • XXXII. Nördlingen. 1633–1634
 • XXXIII. Cromwell. 1642–1651
 • XXXIV. Turenne. 1634 to August, 1644
 • XXXV. Condé at Rocroy. May 19, 1643
 • XXXVI. Freiburg. August, 1644
 • XXXVII. Mergentheim. May 5, 1645
 • XXXVIII. Allerheim. August 5, 1645
 • XXXIX. Condé at Dunkirk. September and October, 1646
 • XL. Turenne and Wrangel. 1646–1647
 • XLI. The Thirty Years’ War ends. 1648
 • XLII. Condé against Turenne. 1650–1656
 • XLIII. Arras and Valenciennes. 1654–1656
 • XLIV. Dunkirk. The Battle of the Dunes, 1657. May and June, 1658
 • XLV. Army Organization and Tactics. Early Seventeenth to Early Eighteenth Century
 • XLVI. Turenne in Holland. 1672
 • XLVII. Montecuculi. 1673
 • XLVIII. Senef, August 11, and Sinsheim, June 16, 1674
 • XLIX. Entzheim, October 4, 1674. Türkheim, January 5, 1675
 • L. Turenne’s Last Campaign. 1675
 • LI. The Siege of Vienna. 1683
 • LII. Luxemburg and Catinat. 1690–1693
 • LIII. Prince Eugene against Catinat. 1701
 • LIV. Eugene against Villero and Vendome. 1701–1702
 • LV. Villars. 1703
 • LVI. Marlborough and Eugene. 1704
 • LVII. Blenheim. August 13, 1704
 • LVIII. Eugene and Vendome. 1705
 • LIX. Ramillies. May 23, 1706
 • LX. Turin. September 7, 1706
 • LXI. Oudenarde and Lille. July 11 and October 22, 1708
 • LXII. Malplaquet. September 11, 1709
 • LXIII. Spain. 1704–1710
 • LXIV. Villars against Marlborough and Eugene.