Description
The world鈥檚 strongest armies discover that Nature can be a secret ally or an unbeatable foe.
Not even the strongest troops can match the power of nature. In each of the ten stories in this volume, well-armed forces set off to battle human enemies but find themselves fighting the environment instead. Sometimes a leader carefully plans the perfect attack, only to find geography in the way. Other times the climate interferes unexpectedly.
鈥� In 119 BCE, General Wei Qing used a sand storm as cover and was able to attack the Xiongnu nomads by surprise.
鈥� Napoleon鈥檚 plan to quickly subdue the Russians was foiled by the savage 鈥淕eneral Winter.鈥�
鈥� A massive network of underground tunnels gave the Viet Cong guerillas an unbeatable advantage over the much stronger American forces.
鈥� The battle between India and Pakistan over borders has pitted both countries against the inhospitable Siachen Glacier.
Nature鈥檚 obstacles have lead to crushing defeats, inspired accidental victories, and encouraged surprising innovation.
Awards
- Nominated, Rocky Mountain Book Award nomination 2017
- Joint winner, Green Book Festival Award 2016
- Joint winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection, Canadian Children鈥檚 Book Centre 2016
Reviews
鈥淏road of both historical and geographical scope.鈥�
- Kirkus Reviews, 02/17/16
鈥淥f great interest to those interested in war history.鈥�
- School Library Journal, 05/16
鈥淎 welcome introduction to the fields of military meteorology and the environmental aspects of warfare.鈥�
- CM Reviews, 10/07/16
鈥淗igh interest and thorough, it will delight military-history buffs.鈥�
- Booklist Online, 05/01/16