Jan Zizka (1370-1424) was a formidable figure whose life & military career was set amidst the whirlwind of monumental revolutions
- military religious political & social
- that engulfed medieval Europe in the 14th & 15th centuries. The leader of Bohemias Hussite Revolution
- the first of the religious wars during the Protestant Reformation
- he was a forward-thinking military genius whose record is virtually unmatched. He fielded a peasant militia initially untrained & unequipped & faced down the Holy Roman Empires huge professional army of armoured knights known as The Men of Iron. Among his numerous innovations was the armoured wagon fitted with small cannons & muskets presaging the modern tank. All this despite the fact that for much of his later career he went completely blind. Yet remarkably beyond central Europe very little is known about him. In this original & engrossing study historian Victor Verney combines an authoritative analysis with colourful anecdotes to reveal the incredible exploits of this forgotten military genius & the fascinating cast of characters who surrounded him. The author would like to acknowledge Matt Haywood & his website www. warfareeast.co.uk for his assistance on military aspects of the book.