Full Description
Elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years. Asian powers boasted of their pachyderm power, while the Romans fielded elephants alongside their legendary legions but were, perhaps, too proud to admit that mere animals contributed to victory. Elephants have gored, stomped, and sliced their way through infantry and cavalry with great success. They have also been cut, speared, bombed, and napalmed for their efforts. This is the story of their largely forgotten role in the history of warfare.
Generals throughout recorded history have used elephants as tanks, bulldozers, and cargo trucks long before such vehicles existed. Until gunpowder began to reduce the utility of elephants in battle during the 17th Century, these beasts built roads, swung swords, or simply terrified opposing forces. Although some believe that elephants were mere gimmicks of warfare, Kistler discredits that notion. His book hopes to give elephants the credit they deserve for the sacrifices they have endured. Elephants have long fought for and served human masters, but it is now the elephants themselves that must be protected.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Foreword by Richard Lair
Introduction
Useful Orphan
Early Contests
Beauty and the Beasts
Fill of Blood
Improvements
The Elephant Mystery
The Horror
Alexander's Opinion
Death on the Nile
Marching
Siege
Cavalry Killers
The Elephant Industry
Unmitigated Gauls
The Elephant of surprise
Flaming Pigs
Chaos in the Streets
Regulus
Proud Mahouts
Cruelty
Lions Brood
Dangerous Waters
Treacherous Paths
Best Laid Plans
Stalemate
Hasdrubal
Rome's Genius
Asia versus Africa
Day of Slaughter
Weapons of Massive Destruction
Guerrilla War
The Running of the Bulls
Pompey's Circus
The Herd of Julius Caesar
Arrogant Emperors
Sackcloth and Ashes
Breach of Faith
Year of the Elephant
Medieval Asia
Charlemagne and Frederick
Plump and Ready
Mongol Hordes
Pyramids of Skulls
Thais and Burmese
The Great Mahout
Beasts of Burden
Mighty Engineers
Targets of Opportunity
Epilogue
Endnotes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
