WarDepotDavid | 25 Feb 2014 5:41 p.m. PST |
I have just entered a new period in my gaming and need to get a small but precise collection of books to cover SYW and AWI. I am keen to get a couple of books on the armies and uniforms and tactics or each conflict. Suggestions? |
nsolomon99 | 25 Feb 2014 5:54 p.m. PST |
For SYW, anything by Christopher Duffy. |
Grand Dragon | 25 Feb 2014 6:08 p.m. PST |
I would start with Christopher Duffy's ' The Military Experience in the Age of Reason ' as it's cheap , it should be widely available , it covers both the SYW and the AWI period , and it tells you what it was like to actually go to war in the 18th century in great detail. Highly recommended. |
epturner | 25 Feb 2014 6:44 p.m. PST |
For the AWI, "With Zeal And Bayonets Alone" by Matt Spring on the British Army of the AWI. Are you looking for the SYW strictly in Europe? If you are looking for the SYW in North America, then Anderson's book, "The Crucible of War" is just the thing. Eric |
Early morning writer | 25 Feb 2014 7:30 p.m. PST |
Second on the Anderson book – first rate history, rarely equalled. For AWI, I recommend Ward's two volume work. Yes, it is older but virtually every single general history of the war printed since follows its format. Also for the AWI, Boatner's Encyclopedia is a great reference work for getting started. And for painting, Mollo's Uniforms of the American Revolution is also a good starting point. Some will quibble about an inaccuracy here and there in all of those but for a starting point, hard to beat. You can get more in depth later if the interest proves sustaining. |
nevinsrip | 25 Feb 2014 7:54 p.m. PST |
Nothing beats "The Road To Guildford Courthouse" for explaining the War in the South. Probably the best book on the AWI that I have ever read. |
Frederick the Grape | 26 Feb 2014 6:54 a.m. PST |
Duffy' "Military Experience in the Age of Reason" is rather light on info about specific battles an focuses more on the individual and what he might have experienced. I'd go with Duffy's "The Military Life of Frederick the Great" instead as it covers all of the campaigns, discusses the battles and provides some of the best battle maps that I've ever seen in a book. Duffy's "Army of Frederick the Great" and his second volume on the Austrian army are very good on the battle information and tactics. |
Timotheous | 26 Feb 2014 9:12 a.m. PST |
I know that you were asking for books, but I heartily recommend "The War That Made America" a PBS documentary which is based on Fred Anderson's work. It is a documentary about the FIW, but is done in a dramatic style, with decent acting and narration by Graham Greene. Crucible of War, or its abridged version The War That Made America are both fine books on the FIW. Armies of the Seven Years War is a great uniform resource with illustrations throughout, including sections of color plates, maps, and biographies of key personalities. Find it on Amazon here: link |
John the OFM | 26 Feb 2014 9:31 a.m. PST |
For AWI, I would go first with Fischer's "Washington's Crossing". It is about much more than Washongton crossing the Delaware, and goes very extensively into all 4 armies involved. 4? Yes, British, Hessian, Continental and Militia. The Road to Guilford Courthouse is very similar. |
John the OFM | 26 Feb 2014 9:34 a.m. PST |
For AWI uniforms, there is no better one volume source than Mollo. It is comprehensive, with a few minor problems. |
Happy Little Trees | 26 Feb 2014 11:43 a.m. PST |
For Orders of Battle The American War of Independence by Greg Novak (Two Volumes) is essential. |
Old Contemptibles | 26 Feb 2014 12:42 p.m. PST |
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CivvyCivvy | 27 Feb 2014 11:33 a.m. PST |
Have to agree with Grand Dragon – Christopher Duffy's ' The Military Experience in the Age of Reason'. Gives an excellent insight to the period. |
The Goon from the Moon | 27 Feb 2014 11:42 a.m. PST |
Savory's His Britannic Majesties Army During the Seven Years War. |
Early morning writer | 27 Feb 2014 8:45 p.m. PST |
Goon is right, that is a Great book. |
Nadir Shah | 27 Feb 2014 10:07 p.m. PST |
For SYW anything by Duffy, Savory is also a favourite :) |
Cardinal Hawkwood | 03 Mar 2014 7:54 p.m. PST |
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Mserafin | 04 Mar 2014 4:14 p.m. PST |
Duffy's "Army of Frederick the Great" and his second volume on the Austrian army are very good on the battle information and tactics.</q.And his Russia's Military Way to the West is an excellent source on the Russian Army of the period, and how military alliances with more "accepted" European powers allowed Russia to become a player in European affairs. |
Ryan Gebhart | 05 Mar 2014 7:33 a.m. PST |
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