The Hinge Factor : How Chance and Stupidity Have Changed History (Paperback)

from HadriantheBlind

An interesting idea, but a deeply flawed execution. Also, would it kill the publisher to find a better set of maps?

from librisissimo

Substance: Interesting, brief accounts of major battles (or wars) in world history concentrating on the "hinges" - the events and decisions that directly or obliquely determined the outcomes. Despite the author's preface, a knowledge of human psychology makes most of the decisions taken in reacti...

from Sandydog1

A great premise and a great selection of battles and major conflicts (but mostly battles; 4 1/2 stars). Crude, horribly confusing battle maps and awkward, disjointed prose. You'll get so much more from the better-written maps and articles from Wikipedia (1 star). Phony, contrived historical ficti...

from DinadansFriend

This is a sad attempt to create a factoid book of military ironies. Mr. Durschmied has survived a good deal of time in dangerous places, but, alas, he's not a striking stylist, nor do I find the bulk of his book very interesting. While he has brought to my attention the "battle" of Karansebes, an...

from figre

I really got sucked in by the intro. The author explains The Hinge Factor by telling the story of how Hiroshima became the first sight for the dropping of the Atomic bomb. It was number three on the list. The first two cities were obscured by clouds. The fate of a city was decided by the vagaries...