"Looking for a Good book on Waterloow" Topic

Hey folks, BTW, please forgive the extra "w", I hit send inadvertently.

With the bicentennial coming up I've decided that I need to brush up on Waterloo. I'm not that deep into Napoleonic (certainly on land although I have read a fair amount of the naval history) but I'm not a total novice either, I've read some on Wellington's Peninsula Campaign for example.

To give you an idea about myself I have a BA and MA both in the history genre. My basic period right now is the ACW and some of the authors I enjoy are Coddington, Pfanz, Bearss and Rhea. I guess that I am looking for an equivalent to them but of course about the Hundred Days and Waterloo. Thanks in advance…..

I have always liked Waterloo Companion by Mark Adkin

Just a quick note, I have his Gettysburg Companion and it is just riddled with errors. Is his Waterloo Companion better?

Barbero's 'The Battle' is a good overall account, and very impartial.

The Hofschroer trilogy has its merits.

I've a soft spot for David Howarth's volume but it's probably a bit dated. David Chandler, ditto but probably worth a look.

I think Adkin did a workmanlike job on his Waterloo book.

I'd avoid Bernard Cornwall's book, though. Now that's almost fictional.

Erwin Muilwijk recently published his third book (in a serie of four) concerning the Hundred Days and especially the role of the Dutch Belgian Army. See here: link

I have just started a website selling Ebooks and it has 41 books listed from the 100 days campaign of 1815 and another 5 books to be uploaded tonight.
emperorslibrary.com

I am currently waiting for our Dear Editor or one of his staff to upload my advertising banner on TMP.
regards,
Paul Cordell

I am on page 128 of Erwins 'Standing Firm at Waterloo' tome, which is about half way through. It's pretty good so far but I must say that the editing (it has been translated) is a bit 'sticky' in places. But other than that, I am enjoying it thus far and Erwin hasn't (so far) pulled any punches, giving accounts of pre-battle foraging/looting (as occurred with most allied units) and how some committed such heinous crimes that they were pursued and either shot or arrested by units of their own army.

There is also a pretty good and interesting account of what went on at Halle, which is almost totally ignored by other authors of the Battle. And the fighting at Hugoumont is very well researched too.

If you like coloured plates, illustrations and maps, I suggest you buy the colour version. It's more expensive but then again, the black and white version is not so good because the detail in the plates look washed out. I brought the Black and white copy; I intend to invest in the colour one.

Paul :)

If you're looking for an historical narrative:
Howarth's 'Near run thing' – one of the first works to mix contemporary accounts with the historical perspective.
Barbero's 'The Battle' – as Sparker said, 'Impartial', and readable, but some of the history, in my opinion, appeared a little suspect.

If you're looking for information a wargamer might need:
Adkin's 'Waterloo Companion' – if you want detail on organizations, orders of battle and juicy tidbits about the battle accompanied by detailed maps etc.

But there are so very many to choose from…….

Adkins "Waterloo Companion" is also riddle with errors, in particularly is his information on the Old Guards final advance, if I recall correctly the discussions I've seen elsewhere on other forums! The good news is that he's created debate, which therefore leads to discussion and hopefully discovery for future generations to come.

Of note: There's an 8 volume comprehensive series that's currently being written by a British author named Paul L. Dawson. It's supposed to be the most exhaustive works ever to be written on the battle in decades. The first volume is to be released this Fall. I've seen some of the artwork which is being done by Keith Rocco and it is a feat to behold. Hope that's enough to wet your appetite and get you to save your pennies?

I'd also second Howarth's "A Near Run Thing" (U.S.A), "Waterloo, Day of Battle" (Britain) and Mike Robinson's newer work on Quatre Bras!

link

Cheers,

There are two oldies but goodies books on Google books that you can read or download on line. Siborne's The Waterloo Campaign is at link and Ropes' The Campaign of Waterloo is at link

Siborne's book is probably still the best overall book on the campaign and Ropes' book provides a good analysis of actions taken.

I've just started Andrew Field's Waterloo The French Perspective – must say I am enjoying it immensely. Not picked any issues yet.

He has written it largely from French language sources diaries, reports and letters.

Yes Andrew Field, a serving British Army Officer, has produced a cracker with The French Perspective. Genuinely new sources for this 'serious amateur' from the archives, but also a fresh and interesting new angle, highly recommended. Looking forward to his QB book.

No disrespect to Michael above, but I would treat Siborne's work with caution. There is pretty conclusive evidence to suggest that he received 'donations' with certain accounts, the implication being that he may have 'overemphasised' the contribution of the donors, at the expense of others, not least the allied contingents. However as a Royal Engineer I imagine his topographical survey, particularly the cross section, is impeccable, as is the description of the ground. So still a staple of my library, but be sure to triangulate!

A second hurrah for Erwin's work, I am still getting over the shocking way Lulu delivered my precious volume to me, but if its anything like Vol 2 then well worth it for a comprehensive history of the crucial Netherlands Field force.

Of note: There's an 8 volume comprehensive series that's currently being written by a British author named Paul L. Dawson. It's supposed to be the most exhaustive works ever to be written on the battle in decades. The first volume is to be released this Fall. I've seen some of the artwork which is being done by Keith Rocco and it is a feat to behold. Hope that's enough to wet your appetite and get you to save your pennies?

Not able to find any reference to this on t'Interweb – care to elaborate please?

Adkins has revised his Waterloo companion which is due for release on the 10th September.

Grognard1789

Adkins "Waterloo Companion" is also riddle with errors, in particularly is his information on the Old Guards final advance, if I recall correctly the discussions I've seen elsewhere on other forums!

I take it you mean what formation was used? If so, It isn't as yet 'an error', It's an opinion. As for 'riddled', in what way? one or two errors? Several? A dozen? Shot so full of holes that it doesn't hold water? Perhaps you can tell us how many and what they are!

Paul :)

Here are some other books that I have pre-ordered that may be of interest.

link

link

link

And lets not forget the splendid and indispensable Gareth Glover and John Franklin Waterloo Archive and Correspondence tomes, which are of the words from those who were there.

Paul :)

Thanks for all the advice. Its nice to see Haworth on the list as I've already read that, but it looks like Amazon should be expecting an order.

Thanks for an interesting list Dibble. Really looking forward to Col Lipscombe's work.

I think I'll give the last one a miss though! It looks like the usual revisionist 20-20 hindsight hatchet job from an armchair expert whose most stressful life changing event was that day he spilt his sherry on the Dean's carpet…I suspect they'll be a lot of these from the tall poppy brigade in the run up to the anniversary!

Coppens : Waterloo – les mensonges (a must read, it certainly changed my views about the battle and how it developped).

Sparker:

Thanks for an interesting list Dibble. Really looking forward to Col Lipscombe's work.

Yup! Imo, Lipscombe is always worth it.

I think I'll give the last one a miss though! It looks like the usual revisionist 20-20 hindsight hatchet job from an armchair expert whose most stressful life changing event was that day he spilt his sherry on the Dean's carpet…I suspect they'll be a lot of these from the tall poppy brigade in the run up to the anniversary!

Yeah! I think the same on the last one on my list too but it intrigues me enough to give it a peruse and perhaps remark upon it with a review on another site.

Paul :)

Thanks Paul that review would be interesting!

Which won't be until at least November when it's published.

Paul :)

I second von Winterfeldt – Coppens is very good.

Adkins is good considering there is nothing like it on the market in a single volume – as for errors these can be addressed by looking at them online and making your own conclusion. d'Erlon's 1st Corps assault formation is one episode that we'll probably never get to the bottom of, unless something is unearthed in the French military archives….?!

Erwin's dutch-belgian perspective series is excellent (aside some minor translation issues).

Barbero is ok again as Lingerie as suggested the history elements need reviewing.

Not read Field's book but it is on the summer list to read.

Chandler is ok and a good start.

Another excellent book is The Eagle's Last Triumph by Andrew Uffindell (although I know not Waterloo but certainly part of the campaign).

Mike Robinson's The Battle of Quatre Bras is currently the best account of Quatre Bras – excellent read (again not Waterloo but part of the campaign).

There is the hard to find The Waterloo Campaign by Albert Nofi – great sidebars of military nuances – a good book to any collection.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "Waterloo: Battle of Three Armies" Lord Chalfont: Provides perspective from the Allies, Prussians and French – an excellent book.

Another book is Waterloo by Commandant Henri Lachouque – beautiful paintings and coloured illustrations (there is typo or two) but well worth the money if you can get hold of it!

You may not realise this, but, Waterloo is probably the most written about battle ever……so you'll have plenty of choice…..

I would like to add that there will be literally a hundred more books added to the Waterloo bookfest by 2017! But please be aware all, some of these are going to be rehashes, others fancy dressed covers of already "freely online published accounts", but there will be some which will hopefully bring new perspectives, shed new light on incidents from the Battle and the campaign and we can but hope, unravel some of the mysteries of why certain actions / incidents and events took place….

Just a sort of heads up!

This book is due for release early next year. It's a reprint of a book that in any condition or edition will knock you back hundreds of £/$s

link

I've read the original on Google books and can highly recommend it. Especially as it's pre-release price is only £8.56 GBP or $11.51 USD

Paul :)