THE FIRST CLASH: THE MIRACULOUS GREEK VICTORY AT MARATHON AND ITS IMPACT ON WESTERN CIVILIZATION. by Lacey, Jim - 2011

New York: Bantam, 2011. 233 pp, 9 1/2" H. B&w maps. "(R)eveals why the battle happened, how it was fought, and whether, in fact, it saved Western civilization. Lacy brilliantly reconstructs the world of the fifth century B.C. leading up to the astonishing military defeat of the Persian Empire by the vastly outnumbered but determined Greek defenders. He shows how the heavily armed Persian Army was shocked, demoralized, and ultimately defeated by the relentless assault of the Athenian phalanx, which battered the Persian line in a series of brutal attacks. He reveals the fascinating aftermath of Marathon, how its fighters became the equivalent of our 'Greatest Generation', and challenges the view of many historians that Marathon ultimately proved the Greek 'Western way of war' to be the superior strategy for fighting - and winning - battles to the present day." Very slight bowing to book. Dust jacket has minor rubbing.. Second Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Very Good+.