Food in War

Tonight's chapter from The Edible History of Humanity was about the role food has played in war. Not terribly eye-opening. but certainly thought provoking. In ancient times, of course, food was pivotal. Armies had to forage for their own food and live off the land entirely. Alexander the Great was known for his logistical success, something I had already known. A particularly interesting fact was that armies could stay in an area only as long as they could forage within a four-day radius. Because pack animals ate through their load in eight days, after running out of food within a four-day journey the army could no longer sustain itself. I wonder what new nuances I would pick up on in Caesar's De Bello Gallico with this new outlook.

Napoleon was the Alexander the Great of his day. Indeed, he too was known for logistical success. I would be interested in reading a biography of him, or more to the point an analysis of his military campaigns and why they succeeded (until they didn't, of course). His Russian campaign in particular sounds like it would make an interesting read.

Finally, the Civil War. I had not known that after taking Atlanta, Sherman's army foraged its way to Savannah. I knew of the March to the Sea, but this makes it somewhat more gritty and difficult. I'm sure a book on that march would be excellent as well.

Woven into the chapter was a healthy discussion on the development of the tin can and other means of preserving food for the military. It was interesting hearing how canned food was made back then, and I wonder if there is a good documentary on how it is made today.