INFORMATION ON BATTLES AND BATTLE MAPS: A Pathfinder

This guide will introduce some of the resources available in the Combined Arms Research Library on BATTLES AND BATTLE MAPS. The various types of library materials useful in research are described along with some examples of each type. This guide is not a comprehensive listing of sources, but is intended to be a starting point from which students can begin their research according to their specific needs.

DICTIONARIES

Give a brief summary of battles, listed alphabetically. Some (indicated below) include some maps.

• Perrett, Bryan. The Battle Book (REF 904.7 P455b)
• Eggenberger, David. Encyclopedia of Battles (maps) (REF 904.7 E29e)
• Laffin, John. Brassey's Battles (maps) (REF 904.7 L163b)
• Bruce, George, ed Harbottles's Dictionary of Battles, 3rd ed (REF 904.7 H255d 1981)

GENERAL SOURCES

Nonalphabetic treatment of battles, often in a broader context

• Morelock, J.D. Army Times Book of Great Land Battles (maps) (REF 904.7 M842a)
• Cowley & Parker. Reader's Companion to Military History (maps) (REF 355.009 R2872)
• Dupuy & Dupuy. Harper Encyclopedia of Military History (maps) (REF 355.009 D945h)
• Mckee, Alexander. Against the Odds: Battles at Sea, 1591-1949 (904.7 M154a)

ATLASES

Information on wars and battles shown largely through maps

• US Military Academy. West Point Atlas of American Wars (Oversize 912.73 U57w)
• Gilbert, Martin. Atlas of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (REF 911.56 G465a 1993)
• Pemsel, Helmut. History of War at Sea: An Atlas and Chronology... (359.4 P396h)
• Messenger, Charles. Chronological Atlas of World War Two (REF 940.530202 M584c)

SPECIALIZED RESOURCES

Reference works dealing with a particular war or nation

• Army in World War II - Multivolume official history, with detailed maps (Ask for location)
• Chandler, David. Great Battles of the British Army (maps) (904.7 G7862)
• Holt, Tonie and Valmai. Battlefields of the First World War (REF 940.465 H758b)
• McPherson, James M. Battle Chronicles of the Civil War (REF 973.73 B3362)

BOOKS AND VIDEOS

Use the general keyword search in the CARL Online Catalog for the most complete coverage. Remember that some battles have more than one name ("Manassas" or "Bull Run", for example). If you get no hits, search by the campaign or war. The "Descr" field will indicate whether a book contains maps. Ask the Reference Librarian to show you how to limit your results to only items with maps, or to videos.

INDEXES AND ABSTRACTS

These resources will provide citations to articles and reports on specific topics. Some journals also have their own consolidated indexes and can be a valuable source for battle information. Indexes available on the first floor. Other online Resources available in our Military and Country Study Research Databases.

• Air University Index to Military Periodicals (1948 - on Reference Index Table; 1990 - Online )
• Journal of Military History (1937-1994 - on Reference Index Table)

INTERNET

These are a few of the many sites on military history,and have both good content and links to other sites.

• Center of Military History
• Naval Historical Center
• University of Texas, Austin Map Collection
• West Point Atlases

ASK AT THE REFERENCE DESK(S) FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE

---

Return to Pathfinder Directory