{"product_id":"bayonets-for-hire-mercenaries-at-war-1550-1789-1853677426","title":"Bayonets for Hire: Mercenaries at War, 1550-1789","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1853677426\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Urban, William\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e New\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the Greek professional armies of Alexander, through the Hundred Years War, indeed, to today, mercenaries have been ever-present, their role constantly evolving. In this compelling new history William Urban takes up their captivating and turbulent story from 1550 to 1763. The 16th century saw the beginning of a revolution in military technology and strategy. Political and economic systems were radically evolving, too. Mercenaries are often considered a marginal phenomenon, but Urban shows that they were integral to these developments. Increasingly not just individual soldiers and officers became mercenaries, but entire armies of well-equipped, well-trained, and, in time, experienced soldiers were available to friends and allies. By the late-1600s these armies had evolved into large and efficient fighting forces. By the mid-1700s military service had become a profession. The old-fashioned mercenary was less common, but he would not disappear until swept away by the volunteer armies of the French Revolution.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Greenhill Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52208348070176,"sku":"NEW1853677426","price":25.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0980\/7426\/3840\/files\/61P9HnG5JrL.jpg?v=1787139227","url":"https:\/\/miakarts.com\/products\/bayonets-for-hire-mercenaries-at-war-1550-1789-1853677426","provider":"Miakarts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}