Guns, Sails, and Empires

A prime example of the genre, this book describes an extraordinary period in world history: the ascendancy of Europe between the middle of the 15th century and the early 17th century. Focusing on three countries--Spain, Britain, France--Professor Cipolla examines how their relative strengths in gunnery, ocean-going sailing vessels, and finance enabled them to become mighty lords of the sea and skilled political operators. The period was also one of unprecedented cultural creativity and expansionism. In this classic work of history, Professor Cipolla portrays a world transformed by war. He traces the social and economic upheavals which resulted from changes in agriculture and industry that took place during what is known as 'the first industrial revolution'. This was preceded by major changes in weapons technology that began with military innovations in firearms and artillery in the later Middle Ages, and continued throughout the 16th century after it became clear that these new weapons could be used for both commercial profit and warfare.