New Books Network Jeremy Black, "A History of Artillery" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023)
Dec 29, 2025
Join Jeremy Black, Professor Emeritus at Exeter University and an authority on military history, as he explores the rich evolution of artillery. He discusses its origins from ancient catapults to modern warfare, emphasizing the impact of technological advances. Black debunks the idea of a 'magic bullet' in military strategy, highlighting the importance of contextual analysis. He also examines the crucial roles artillery played in major conflicts from the 15th century to the present, including its resurgence in the Ukraine conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Reject The Magic-Bullet Narrative
- Jeremy Black rejects single-factor 'magic bullet' explanations for military history and stresses multivalent causes.
- He argues artillery must be studied in context alongside logistics, opponents, and other arms.
Ottoman Sieges And Massive Cannon
- Black recounts Ottoman sieges like Constantinople (1453) where heavy cannon battered walls and aided conquest.
- He cautions artillery wasn't the sole factor, noting manpower, willingness to take casualties, and other siege methods.
Technical Limits Slowed Early Artillery
- Early artillery adoption lagged because of manufacturing, powder quality, and logistics challenges.
- Trebuchets and existing siege weapons persisted where cannon were cumbersome or unreliable.