Skip to content

The Face of Battle
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle Paperback - 1983

by John Keegan

Keegan, a senior instructor at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, speculates as to what soldiers present at such historic military engagements as Agincourt and Waterloo may have experienced.


Summary

Military historian John Keegan’s groundbreaking analysis of combat and warfare

The Face of Battle is military history from the battlefield: a look at the direct experience of individuals at the "point of maximum danger." Without the myth-making elements of rhetoric and xenophobia, and breaking away from the stylized format of battle descriptions, John Keegan has written what is probably the definitive model for military historians. And in his scrupulous reassessment of three battles representative of three different time periods, he manages to convey what the experience of combat meant for the participants, whether they were facing the arrow cloud at the battle of Agincourt, the musket balls at Waterloo, or the steel rain of the Somme.

“The best military historian of our generation.” –Tom Clancy

From the publisher


John Keegan's groundbreaking portrayal of the common soldier in the heat of battle -- a masterpiece that explores the physical and mental aspects of warfare The Face of Battle
is military history from the battlefield: a look at the direct experience of individuals at the "point of maximum danger." Without the myth-making elements of rhetoric and xenophobia, and breaking away from the stylized format of battle descriptions, John Keegan has written what is probably the definitive model for military historians. And in his scrupulous reassessment of three battles representative of three different time periods, he manages to convey what the experience of combat meant for the participants, whether they were facing the arrow cloud at the battle of Agincourt, the musket balls at Waterloo, or the steel rain of the Somme. The Face of Battle is a companion volume to John Keegan's classic study of the individual soldier, The Mask of Command together they form a masterpiece of military and human history.

First line

I have not been in a battle; not near one, nor heard one from afar, nor seen the aftermath.

Details

  • Title The Face of Battle
  • Author John Keegan
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 364
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date 1983-01-27
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780140048971 / 0140048979
  • Weight 0.6 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7 in (19.56 x 12.95 x 1.78 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: Western Europe
  • Library of Congress subjects Battles, Military history
  • Dewey Decimal Code 904.7

Media reviews

"The most brilliant evocation of military experience in our time"
—C.P. Snow

"In this book, which is so creative, so original, one learns as much about the nature of man as of battle."
—J.H. Plumb, The New York Times Book Review

"This without any doubt is one of the half-dozen best books on warfare to appear in the English language since the end of the Second World War."
—Michael Howard, The Sunday Times

"A totally original and brilliant book"
The New York Review of Books

About the author

Sir John Desmond Patrick Keegan (1934-2012), was one of the most distinguished contemporary military historians and was for many years the senior lecturer at Sandhurst (the British Royal Military Academy) and the defense editor of the Daily Telegraph (London). Keegan was the author of numerous books including The Face of Battle, The Mask of Command, The Price of Admiralty, Six Armies in Normandy, and The Second World War, and was a fellow at the Royal Society of Literature.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Decatur, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£3.24
£2.83 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
January 1983. Trade Paperback. Good.
Item Price
£3.24
£2.83 shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by Keegan, John

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Lynden, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£3.75
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Book is in good condition and may contain underlining or highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include library labels. May not contain miscellaneous items (toys, dvds, etc). We offer 100% money back guarantee and fast customer support.
Item Price
£3.75
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 1983-01-01. Paperback. Acceptable. 81x10x123.
Item Price
£4.14
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kingwood, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 1983-01-01. Paperback. Good. 7x5x0.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 1983-01-01. Paperback. Good. 81x10x123.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 1983-01-01. Paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x7.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • Acceptable
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
3d ptg.
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
3d ptg.. Acceptable. Acceptable. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
£4.36
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
3d ptg.
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.43
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
3d ptg.. Good. Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
£4.43
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by John Keegan

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.97
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), 1983. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£4.97
FREE shipping to USA
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme

by Keegan, John

  • Used
Condition
UsedAcceptable
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140048971 / 0140048979
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedAcceptable. The item is very worn but continues to work perfectly. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing (age related spots and browning). May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
£4.98
FREE shipping to USA