Used it for a class on weapons, good reference book.

At first glance, this is the kind of book you find in the Barnes & Noble discount section by the dozens. I picked it up at a used book shop in San Francisco. There was a 50/50 chance I'd ever read it. At first I would glance ever now and then through a section. I was struck by how interesting O'Connell's analysis was and resolved to read the whole book.

My expectations were well met. O'Connell's brief analysis of this seemingly endless topic was masterfully concise. And, not only did he approach the subject from a technological level, but a sociological one as well. This efficient account of the evolution of technology and society was just enough to paint a vivid picture of history without getting stuck in the details AND keep the reader hungry for more information.

Well done sir.

Good read

Both the title ”Soul of the sword” and the subtitle ”Illustrated history of weaponry and warfare” are misleading; there is very little about swords, a history of weaponry it is not so much (many famous ones are missing and the technological view is underused), illustrated - almost not at all. But a history of warfare it is, and an excellent one, explaining the mechanisms by which war appeared and evolved, and especially the societal ”why?”s for every era.
Even better, the book finds the golden spot between too much and too little science, offering the perfect amount of history, sociology and psychology to be both captivating and educational.
Highly recommended (for readers well aquainted with history).

Not really a history of weapons, which is what I expected... and what the title suggests it will be.