Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> It must be admitted from the outset that few topics are burdened with such connotations of dullness as barracks especially in terms of architecture. Barracks usually provide a metaphor for buildings which are unimaginative oppressive cheerless or cold. As a consequence of this prejudice long after many more marginal or specialized building types have been analysed and recorded this large and complex subject – overlapping many other areas of military urban social and architectural history has remained unexplored. Barracks are an instrument of war. They are built because they make better soldiers and better soldiers form more effective armies. No less than good generals strong forts efficient suppliers or a productive economy barracks confer a clear military advantage on states which have them over those which do not. Barracks made their first appearance as quarters for elite units like the Roman Praetorian Guard the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors the Papal Swiss Guard or the Household Guard of the English sovereigns. They became more widely used in the early modern period as battlefield tactics underwent a revolution which required highly trained and disciplined soldiers for whole armies. (MP)