The First World Empire Portugal, War and Military Revolution, edited by Hélder Carvalhal, André Murteira, and Roger Lee de Jesus

What is it about?

This is a review of an important new book by a group of historians of the global Portuguese empire in the early modern era. The various essays seek to explore how that empire fits into, contradicts and enhances our understanding of the notion of the "Military Revolution 1560-1660" which, ever since the formulation of that concept by Michael Roberts half a century ago has been a major influence on the way warfare and its relationship to state and society more generally has been discussed and debated. Roberts' geographical range did not include Portugal and its empire. The review further suggests various aspects of the history of warfare between 1500 and 1800 which Roberts' "Military Revolution" also largely ignored and which might profitably be more fully explored.

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Why is it important?

The Military Revolution has been a very influential and debated concept, while the global Portuguese empire is too neglected in the anglophone world despite its great importance

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