Product Description

In Europe the Mamluks of Egypt are remembered as so-called 'Slave Kings' who drove out the Crusaders from the Holy Land; but they were far more than that. Though its frontiers barely changed, the Mamluk Sultanate remained a 'great power' for two and a half centuries. Its armies were the culmination of a military tradition stretching back to the 8th century, and provided a model for the early Ottoman Empire, whose own armies reached the gates of Vienna only twelve years after the Mamluks were overthrown. This absorbing text by David Nicolle explores the organisation and tactics of these fascinating people.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #708496 in Books
• Published on: 1993-07-29
• Released on: 1993-07-29
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

From the Publisher
Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author
David Nicolle was born in 1944, the son of the illustrator Pat Nicolle. He worked in the BBC Arabic service for a number of years, before going 'back to school', gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He later taught world and Islamic art and architectural history at Yarmuk University, Jordan. He has written many books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years. David lives and works in Leicestershire, UK.

Customer Reviews

Usual Nicolle/McBride
The experienced Osprey reader should already know the jist of this book just by the names of the author and the artist. For anyone else, this title combines dry, raw history from a very anti-Western perspective with eight spirited colored plates.
The Mamluks were a continuation of medieval Islamic civilization, holding together the conquests of their forebearers by several centuries of constant warfare, which finally ended with a defeat by the Ottomans at Cairo in 1517.

Good Information
This is one book which has good information on the Mamluks and thier resulting actions and training. For a Historian like me this is very valuable since my studies are in a field which is very small and does not have that much information. A 5/5 for me.

David nicolle
As for all david nicolle books, he is strongly influenced by the islams and is against the europeans. It's going to be the opposite of victor hanson's books.