Artillery Through the Ages

Manucy, Albert C.Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.6

Word count: 183K words
Chapters: 19

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Artillery Through the Ages by Albert C. ManucyAuthor: Manucy, Albert C.,Language: English, Class: UF: Military science: Artillery, Release Date: Jan 30, 2007

Editor's review

This book is a concise introduction to the development of artillery, tracing the technical evolution from ancient catapults to early modern cannon with clarity and order. Writing from the perspective of a military historian, Manucy links artillery construction, casting techniques, the evolution of ammunition, and tactical use into a single thread. The prose is plain, terminology is explained adequately, and necessary diagrams are included, so the reading never feels dull. Its value lies not in profound theoretical argument but in gathering scattered knowledge about artillery from different periods into one accessible volume for reference at any time. It suits readers interested in the history of military technology and warfare as an introductory book, and also serves as background reading before a museum visit. Because it was written relatively early, some technical descriptions bear the mark of their time, and readers may wish to consult other sources alongside it. Overall, this is a lightweight but information-dense work of popular history.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in the history of military technology who want a quick overview of how artillery evolved
Readers preparing for a visit to a military museum or battlefield site
Middle school students and history enthusiasts seeking introductory material on military history
Readers who enjoy technical general-knowledge books and prefer illustrated texts

Not a good fit for

STEM-oriented readers expecting in-depth ballistics or engineering calculations
Military professionals seeking the latest technical data on contemporary artillery
Readers who prefer literary narrative and lack patience for technical detail

Reading tips

Read the table of contents first to grasp the timeline, then proceed chapter by chapter in dynastic or century order rather than skipping around
When encountering structural terms, consult the diagrams in the book and, if necessary, sketch simple drawings to aid understanding
After each chapter, note in two or three sentences the key changes in artillery during that period to build your own outline
Flag any questionable technical statements and check them against modern works of military history

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no military background at all?

Yes. The book follows the main thread of historical evolution, and terms are mostly explained when they appear; no background in ballistics or engineering is required. Anyone interested in how artillery developed can read it smoothly. Individual technical terms can be understood with the help of the diagrams and context.

Is the content of the book outdated?

The book was written relatively early and mainly covers the development of artillery from ancient times to the early modern period. This historical material is fairly stable and not much affected by the passage of time. However, descriptions of technical details may reflect the research limitations of the time. It is best treated as a book on historical development rather than a manual of modern artillery technology, and consulted against newer sources where necessary.

How long does it take to read this book?

It is not long and counts as lightweight general reading. At half an hour to an hour a day, you can read it through in about a week. If you take notes and verify terms as you go, it will take a little longer, but your understanding will be more solid.

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About the author

Manucy, Albert C. Author · American

Albert C. Manucy was an American historian who worked for many years with the National Park Service, focusing on the Spanish colonial architecture and history of Florida. Because public information is limited, details of his life such as birth and death dates and educational background remain unclear. The two works held in the collection, Artillery Through the Ages and The Building of Castello de San Marcos, show that his writing centered on military history and colonial architectural history: the former traces the development of artillery, while the latter examines the construction of the Castillo de San Marcos. Such works are typically grounded in documentary research and addressed to general readers, combining professional rigor with readability, and reflect the author's sustained commitment to the study and popularization of historical heritage.