"ECW reading list?" Topic

Let's say you have only 5 sources for your ECW collection. What would be on the shelf that helps you to understand the historical period as well as provides inspiration for gaming the conflict? My reading list is limited and I'm in the US so I could use some recommends. Thanks.
Mike D

I thought Royle's book was outstanding:

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Stuart Reid's, "All the King's Armies" would top my list.
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along with Newman's, Atlas of the English Civil War"
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Wedgewoods trilogy

The Kings Peace
The Kings War
A Coffin for King Charles

This is an excellent list of 'must have' books – link

I have most of these and would recommend them. In addition there are a couple of really good newer books – link ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248426636&sr=1-1 and link

I'll second the recommendation of Royle's book. I'm just finishing it and can vouch that it's a very good overview and well written so that it's an easy read.

Go direct to primary sources:
Richard Elton's "Compleate Body of the Art Militarie" 1659!
Written from Lt. Col Elton's direct experience of commanding infantry in Parliament's New Model.

Once you have read this you will never game ECW again as no table top game can ever capture the balletic complexities of a mid seventeenth century battlefield.

Go direct to primary sources:
Richard Elton's "Compleate Body of the Art Militarie" 1659!
Written from Lt. Col Elton's direct experience of commanding infantry in Parliament's New Model.

Once you have read this you will never game ECW again as no table top game can ever capture the balletic complexities of a mid seventeenth century battlefield.

He asked for overviews. That is hardly one.

And are you being sarcastic about the "balletic complexities?" If not, what makes you think that the complicated maneuvers that a former soldier describes in a guide to the military arts (that he's trying to get others to buy) were actually performed in the confusion of the battlefield?

He would hardly write a book stating that it's all just a muddle, that in reality we don't have that much control, and we do what we can to keep things going.

Anything by the Brig, might not be 100% currently historical, but cracking reads nonetheless!

Elton describes the intricacies of forming and maneuvering infantry. There is far too much detail for wargamers much less for those surveying the period.

Rich

Let's see, five books. I'll have to go with Jon Frietag. Stuart Reid's, "All the King's Armies" is probably the best military study of the wars. As an American Newman's, Atlas of the English Civil War" is a must. Without it you won't know what the hell is going on and where. The other three books should probably be books on individual battles. I would recommend "The Battles of Newbury" [you get two for one] by Christopher Scott. As for the other battles, others will have to give suggestions. I wouldn't recommend Edgehill. Not because it is not an interesting battle but because it's not that typical of what battles became.

Rich

A great list of books … In particular get Reid's "All the King's Armies."

But for a starting point, for an American and new to the period I always recommend the Osprey Campaign title on "Edgehill." It gives the political background to the war, a breakdown of troops types, weapons, the key players, methods of fighting and then finishes off with the battle itself. It is the very best starting point for an ECW begginer.

Mike B

Thanks all

I would have to have Keith Robert's "Cromwell's War Machine" as it has a good description of the development of tactics from 1600 to 1645, training and drill. It pretty well removes the need to read the original drill manuals for those who only have limited shelf space. essentially it covers all the military fine detail.

Next Carlton's "Going to the wars". It has some failings but gives some good first hand accounts of the soldiers expereinces on the battlefield.

Royles "Civil War" is agood general account of the period.

Christopher Hill's "The world turned upside down" is a good introduction to just how different a world England in the 17th Century was. It covers the religous and radical movements of the period. If you don't have an insight into the minds of the people then much of what they did is hard to understand.

Finally I'm going to cheat. For non brits Newmans "Atlas of the English Civil war" helps put much of the war into geographical context. For anyone who knows the geography already a different book can be substituted. I'd go with Diane Purkiss "The English Civil War – a peoples history" as it does for the civilian experience what Carlton does for the militry one.