If any of you are military history fanatics like me, I'm sure you have at least a small collection of books. My collection is still just getting off the ground, but one book that was recommended to me, and which I just received in the mail, is Great Commanders and Their Battles by Anthony Livesay.

Amazon.com link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...776891-7112106

I have already read the first five chapters and find it exactly what I was looking for - a book discussing famous battles, the generals in charge, the opposing forces, tactics used, and some side-bars about the special troops or weapons used in that time period and if/how they played a key role in the battle. It also has battlefield maps and paintings.

I bought my copy used and it came in 100% brand new mint condition from
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/...A13ATBTFAI9BLK