{"product_id":"bayonets-for-hire-mercenaries-at-war-1550-1789","title":"Bayonets for Hire: Mercenaries at War, 1550-1789","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the Greek professional armies of Alexander, through the Hundred Years War, indeed, to today, mercenaries have been ever-present, their role constantly evolving. In this compelling new history William Urban takes up their captivating and turbulent story from 1550 to 1763. The 16th century saw the beginning of a revolution in military technology and strategy. Political and economic systems were radically evolving, too. Mercenaries are often considered a marginal phenomenon, but Urban shows that they were integral to these developments. Increasingly not just individual soldiers and officers became mercenaries, but entire armies of well-equipped, well-trained, and, in time, experienced soldiers were available to friends and allies. By the late-1600s these armies had evolved into large and efficient fighting forces. By the mid-1700s military service had become a profession. The old-fashioned mercenary was less common, but he would not disappear until swept away by the volunteer armies of the French Revolution., ISBN13: 9781853677427 ISBN10: 1853677426 Material Type: hardcover\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CheapBookDepot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46111635112099,"sku":"A.23.1 F_04-21-25_ART_H00005UB","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/9227\/5107\/files\/61P9HnG5JrL.jpg?v=1754632751","url":"https:\/\/usedbookdepot.com\/products\/bayonets-for-hire-mercenaries-at-war-1550-1789","provider":"Used Book Depot","version":"1.0","type":"link"}