Blenheim has gone down in history as one of the turning points of the War of the Spanish Succession - and some would say in the history of conflict in Europe. The overwhelming Allied victory ensured the safety of Vienna from the Franco-Bavarian army, thus preventing the collapse of the Grand Alliance. Bavaria was knocked out of the war, and Louis XIV's hopes for a quick victory came to an end. France suffered over 30,000 casualties. If you truly want to understand what happened and why - read Battle Story.

James Falkner is a leading modern authority on 18th Century warfare, particularly the campaigns of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and the work of the celebrated French military engineer Marshal Vauban. He is the author of Marlborough's Sieges and Great and Glorious Days: Marlborough's Battles 1704-09.