Every once in a while it is a good thing to step back and have a somewhat different view of military history. A different view is just what award winning author and illustrator William Gilkerson has done with his Rocks to Rockets book. First published in 1963, this book is something that many of the, well, older generation may well have read as a youngster. Osprey felt it was time to bring this to a new legion of readers and I'm particularly glad they did.

Gilkerson's look at the arms and armies through the ages is a very tongue in cheek look at the events of the time. All of his illustrations have been superbly restored to their original color and offer us a chance to laugh as well as learn a little bit. Throughout, we are shown the chaos that comes from warfare and the often un-expected results of our actions.

It is a real delight to read and I know that you and your kids will get a bang out of it. Highly recommended.

November 2008

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