"Christopher Duffy: thx4rec" Topic

I'd like to thank the many knowledgeable folks who recommended the works of Christopher Duffy, to me and other posters who asked about 18th century warfare.

I got The Military Experience in the Age of Reason from the library this weekend. It immediately went to the top of the reading list. In fact, I can't put it down.

If you'd care to recommend similar works relative to European (or North American) forces in the era, by Duffy or other writers, I'd be very interested to check them out as well.

On a sidenote, I also picked up Warfare in the Eighteenth Century, by Jeremy Black, which has a much wider scope but much less deth. Part of the Cassell History of Warfare, it's more global and much more of a quick survey. I find it useful as a starting point for further research. I quickly read the "War Within Europe" chapter, before diving into the Christopher Duffy book.

It's a good one to keep by the nightstand to remind me of stuff to research on my phone. I read about AoR battles on Wikipedia whilst falling asleep now. It all started with that Obscure Battles blog…

So, yes, Christopher Duffy. More like that one, if you please.

Different period but: Tactics and the Experience of Battle in the Age of Napoleon by Rory Muir, also his Salamanca.

Also read Duffy's "The Military Life of Frederick the Great" which covers all of his campaigns in the WAS, SYW and even the War of the Bavarian Succession. The battle maps are particularly good too.

Brent Nosworthy is also very good for understanding the evolution of tactics from the 18th to the 19th century.

The Anatomy of Victory: Battle Tactics 1689-1763

With Musket, Sword and Cannon: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies

The Bloody Crucible of Courage: Fighting Methods and Combat Experience of the Civil War

For a slightly different take, try Showalter's "The Wars of Frederick the Great."

Thanks, all.

Duffy's The Military Life of Frederick the Great and Nosworthy's The Anatomy of Victory: Battle Tactics 1689-1763 ordered from the library.

Other titles noted for future reference.

Cheers.

Duffy The '45 should not be missed.

If you're interested in the Russians, Duffy's "Russia's Military Way to the West" is excellent. It covers how Russia became enmeshed with the system of powers in Europe during the 18th century, and the development of the Russian army during the period.

I love Duffy. He also has great books on Suvarov's campaign in Italy, Austerlitz, Borodino, and the Soviet invasion of German in 1945*. The man is truly a treasure. Wikipedia has a list of his books here:
link

* – this one is outside his usual area of expertise, but is still an excellent book.

I just came here to find out what 'thx4rec' meant. But I might try reading some of the books suggested!

I just came here to find out what 'thx4rec' meant.

I thought it was Lucas' follow-up to THX 1138!

Thanks for the additional recommendations. Duly noted as well.

Sorry for the leetspeak, couldn't fit it all in the title.

Allan Eckert's books are worth reading.

thehawk wrote:

Allan Eckert's books are worth reading.

Great suggestion. I think I'll order a few from the public library. Cheers.

The Brent Nosworthy book is brilliant. The Christopher Duffy is fascinating. The Allan Eckert book looks like a good chunk of winter reading. Thanks again, all.

Even better – you can attend the SYW Convention in South Bend next March and meet Professor Duffy, listen to his entertaining talk and share some beverages with us (and the good professor) throughout the weekend.
In the past years he has also shared his new research with us correcting and adding to some of the content in the '45.
The 32nd annual Seven Years War Convention will be held:
March 27-28, 2015
Our new venue is:
Waterford Estates Lodge
52890 S.R. 933 North
South Bend, Indiana 46637
(574) 272-5220

Alas I am un the UK. There does not seem to be C18th conferences in Europe let alone UK.
Stephen