The French Wars 1667–1714: The Sun King at war

By John A. Lynn

Campaigns fought by Louis XIV, the Sun King, shaped the borders of European states, the destinies of royal dynasties, and even the patterns of absolutist government. This book presents the most authoritative yet accessible and succinct account of these all-important struggles available today, covering every aspect of the wars from decisions made by the king at his palace at Versailles to the life of the troops encamped in the field. Focusing on the French army, the greatest military force of the age, this tale of violence, victory, and victims balances siege and battle in a way that tells us much that is new about the Sun King and his adversaries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing Ltd
• Release date: May 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781472810052

Reviews for The French Wars 1667–1714

[bezoar44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This short history of the five wars of Louis XIV avoids a dry recitation of dates and instead discusses cross-cutting themes in the wars: how and why they stated; why they ended. It's a military history in the sense of grand strategy, with two chapters discussing the lives of two individuals, to provide some social depth. The book briefly recounts some major battles, but does not focus in depth on tactics, command structures, or logistics. In that sense, it's an ideal overview for a reader interested in France and its foreign policy in the period, and perhaps less ideal for a reader seeking a close analysis of the kingdom's military.

[yooperprof · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My, but weren't there a lot of battles in Flanders during this period!Professor Lynn, who is a great authority on military activities in early modern Europe, here provides a basic narrative framework for the five significant conflicts that took place under the full authority of the Sun King. Because of the complexity of the conflicts, and the seemingly never-ending series of engagements along the Rhine River and in the Spanish Netherands, the result is a book that sometimes seems like "one damn battle after another." But Lynn does provide some good analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Louis XIV's strategy, making it clear that he sought to maximalize France's position within the established European order; unlike Napoleon, he did not seek to create an entire new world of nations and peoples.This Osprey book is exceptionally well illustrated. The pictures are indeed worth thousands of words. However, the maps, while very attractive, are oddly labeled and are really not all that helpful.