The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: from Marathon to Waterloo is a book written by Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy and published in 1851. This book tells the story of the fifteen military engagements (from Marathon to Waterloo) which, according to the author, had a significant impact on world history.This was General George S. Patton's favorite book and is quoted several times in the movie - Patton.Each chapter of the book describes a different battle. The fifteen chapters are: 1. The Battle of Marathon, 490 BC 2. Defeat of the Athenians at Syracuse, 413 BC 3. The Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC 4. The Battle of the Metaurus, 207 BC 5. Victory of Arminius over the Roman Legions under Varus, AD 9 6. The Battle of Chalons, AD 451 7. The Battle of Tours, AD 732 8. The Battle of Hastings, AD 1066 9. Joan of Arc's Victory over the English at Orléans, AD 1429 10. Defeat of the Spanish Armada, AD 1588 11. The Battle of Blenheim, AD 1704 12. The Battle of Pultowa, AD 1709 13. Victory of the Americans over Burgoyne at Saratoga, AD 1777 14. The Battle of Valmy, AD 1792 15. The Battle of Waterloo, AD 1815