“War Elephants provides the full history of pachyderms in battle, presenting an animal historian's in-depth history of evidence tracing the use of elephants in battles from 1100 B.C. to the 17th century. From how the elephants participated in battle to strategies against them, War Elephants provides quite a different perspective and is an unique military survey.”—The Midwest Book Review - ... Read moreCalifornia Bookwatch “War Elephants is flawlessly written and researched. . . . If you are interested in reading about ancient warfare, or the role of elephants in war, then this book is highly recommended.”—Armchair General “Kistler provides a range of interesting facts about elephant behaviour, not least the actual difficulties of managing a force of war elephants in terms of voracious appetite, enormous thirst, expensive armour and long term commitment to training and care. . . . John Kistler's account is often entertaining and certainly wide ranging.”—Times Literary Supplement “Avid military buffs and students of ancient, medieval, and modern warfare, animal rights, and non-Western warfare will find much of interest in this comprehensive resource.”—Library Media Connection "Generals used elephants as tanks, bulldozers, and cargo trucks long before such vehicles existed, and, until gunpowder reduced the utility of elephants in battle, these beasts built roads, swung swords, and terrified opposing forces. Kistler tells the story of the elephant's largely forgotten role in the history of warfare.”—Reference & Research Book News Show Less