As a first year teacher this is my first "summer vacation" in about 10 years. I've decided to try and read a lot about historical eras that interest me. I find the medieval period fascinating and have already read Charlemagne by Derek Wilson and I'm about halfway through Joan: Joan: The Mysterious Life of the Heretic Who Became a Saint by Donald Spoto. While these books are very informative, they focus on the subject (as they should) and not so much the campaigns that were being waged. I feel like I would have a better grasp on what was going on if I could see some maps or was familiar with the strategies involved in sieging towns, blocking access to waterways etc.

Could anyone recommend a book that explained military strategy during medieval battles, and/or the lives of soldiers who apparently were mostly common laborers who fought during the times when they weren't needed at home to harvest, etc.