The Machinery of War by Peter Young

The Machinery of War (Illustrated Weapons History in Dust Jacket)

A richly illustrated survey of weapons and warfare, from prehistoric flint tools to modern missiles, by a celebrated military historian

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: The Machinery of War: An illustrated history of weapons
• Author: Peter Young
• Editor: Michael Leitch
• Publisher: Hart-Davis, MacGibbon, London
• Publication Date: 1973
• ISBN-10: 0246105909
• Edition Details: First published in Great Britain, 1973. Edited by Michael Leitch.
• Binding: Publisher's red cloth hardcover, with the original illustrated dust jacket.
• Physical Format: Large illustrated quarto-size volume with colour and black-and-white illustrations and labelled diagrams.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
• Exterior / Boards: The plain red cloth boards are clean and bright. A slight dip or wave is visible along the top edge of one board, and there is a tiny white speck near the top right and bottom left. The spine carries the dark jacket with yellow and orange lettering.
• Interior: The pages are clean and cream, with no foxing or markings in evidence. The colour plates and diagrams are bright and clear.
• The Dust Jacket: Present. The glossy dark jacket with a colour painting of a harbour arsenal is clean, with light surface scuffing to the back panel and slight shelf wear at the edges. It is protected in a durable archival-type plastic cover.

Synopsis & Historical Value

First published in London in 1973 by Hart-Davis, MacGibbon, The Machinery of War is an illustrated history of weapons. It follows the development of arms and warfare from prehistoric flint tools through ancient armour and the first firearms to modern missiles and nuclear delivery systems.

The book is lavishly illustrated with colour and black-and-white photographs and carefully labelled diagrams, including technical comparisons such as the wheel-lock pistol and the flint-lock gun. Text and image together make clear how changes in weaponry shaped the way wars were fought.

Written by Brigadier Peter Young, a professional soldier turned military historian, and edited by Michael Leitch, it remains an attractive and useful reference for collectors of militaria and anyone interested in the history of arms.

Author Profile: Brigadier Peter Young (1915–1988)

Peter Young served in the Commandos during the Second World War, later commanded a brigade, and afterwards commanded a regiment of the Arab Legion. He received the DSO for Dieppe and two bars to the Military Cross for his service in Italy in 1943.

After his military career he lectured at Sandhurst and became a prolific military historian. His books include Bedouin Command, Storm at Sea, Commando and The Great Civil War. He also founded The Sealed Knot re-enactment society after publishing Edgehill 1642.

The Machinery of War Peter Young · illustrated history of weapons · Peter Young military historian · history of firearms and weaponry book · 1973 Hart-Davis MacGibbon first edition · militaria reference book with dust jacket