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For 600 years a small geographic area in what is now northern France and Belgium has been the scene of critical military engagements. From encounters at Crécy and Azincourt to the confrontation of massive armies at Waterloo, Somme, and Bastogne, many of these fields of battle have remained essentially undisturbed; most still displaying physical evidence or striking memorials of the engagements fought there. They remain fascinating and evocative sites to visit. Many locales present the opportunity to view scenic countryside or historic cities. The cliffs and beaches of Normandy and Pas-de-Calais, the rolling hills of Picardie and Artois, and the forests of Argonne and Ardennes present opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether in Flemish Ypres, modern Bastogne, or Gothic Reims, Orléans, and Caen, the opportunities for enjoying good food, consuming local beverages, and viewing great architecture abound. Villages in all the regions offer charming squares, frequently with outdoor cafés overlooked by bell tower and church, enhanced during weekly market days when local produce and assorted delicacies are available. |
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'FIELDS OF WAR' ACCLAIMED AS MILITARY HISTORY AND TOUR GUIDE -- receives second national book award [more...] 'It is a brave author who attempts to pack more than 600 years of military history into one volume, but Mueller succeeds in this with some skill, and the book is nicely organized in chapters covering periods from the Hundred Years War and WW2.
Common sites are described as well as those less familiar, and the historical descriptions are good, and well constructed. The maps are good, and the illustrations well chosen and clear.
An excellent, highly recommended companion to the battlefields of France and Belgium, and a good single volume to keep in the car.'
'Mueller's "Fields of War: Fifty Key Battlefields in France and Belgium" is an important, essential companion to anyone's attempt to understand and honor the vast array of human suffering, courage and sacrifice to be found in the region's hundreds of memorials, monuments and cemeteries.'
'Fields of War gives you not only a wealth of historical information about this part of Western Europe: the political times & countries doing battle, armies & battle movements, key opponents & weaponry, aftermaths & consequences, it also has text boxes explaining how to take the battlefield tours … … Some may want to whet their appetite for the next 500 years of warfare by following the Battle of Crecy, others will zero in on a specific modern battle. Either way, Fields of War is clearly laid out, readable & filled with useful details.'
'...a guide to peruse before the trip and definitely a must-have book while visiting the sites.' '... a travel book unprecedented by others. [Mr. Mueller's]
organized and detailed attention to creating a memorable and educational tour for the reader is well
noted. The sites and historical facts will be engrained in the tourist’s mind forever.'
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