"The Struggle for Hougoumont" Topic

The following might be of interest to some of you: link

The book was originally conceived and marketed as the story of the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards (the Scots Guards) during the Waterloo campaign, but Alan Sutton of Fonthill Media persuaded me to focus solely on the events at Hougoumont and enlarge the scope of the work to provide an account with details of all the contingents involved in the fighting in and around the farm complex.

Mick Crumplin, who had access to the original 3rd Guards draft manuscript when writing his excellent article 'Keep Hougoumont', which can be found on-line (I'll upload a link later), found the extensive list of references and notes useful. I believe that this new book will provide useful additional information for those who have ordered the third of the Waterloo 1815 titles I've written for Osprey Publishing, as the book has a wealth of information which could not be fitted into a 96 page 'Campaign series' book.

Best wishes

John

Here's a link to the article 'Keep Hougoumont' written by Mick Crumplin mentioned above: link

Thank you for both links John. I'll certainly be purchasing your book!

arthur1815,

This was going to be a surprise, but as I believe you're one of the people in question I'd like to confirm that the following individuals will receive signed copies of the new book with my best wishes (as they were drawn as winners of the book in its former guise):

•Prof. Bruno Colson of Namur, Belgium
•Mr. Edwin Groot of Groningen, Netherlands
•Mr. Arthur Harman of London, England
•Mr. Shaun Lowery of Chester-le-Street, England
•Ms. Sandra Shine of Canterbury, England

Kind regards

John

John, nice gesture for Arthur and the other winners. I have purchased the first Osprey in the trilogy and will complete the series, adding this book. Your generous posting of additional material is very much appreciated.

Condotta,

Thank you. It's my pleasure to provide these accounts. Prior to the bi-centenary of Waterloo my new website will go live, and visitors will be able to open and read 200 lengthy accounts of Waterloo without having to make any purchase.

With regards to Hougoumont, I wrote a piece to follow on from Mick Crumplin's excellent article. You can read this by using the following link: link

Best regards

John

John, I am enjoying the reads. Thanks again for the links. As I read, some words really resonate as they are used to describe you and others involved in this worth-while project: dynamic, drive, passion, etc. It is not that much of a stretch of my imagination to find myself enveloped by the din and smoke of battle. I anxiously await the May release of your newest book.

Condotta,

I'm delighted that you've enjoyed the links, and I hope that you found the first Osprey volume a worthwhile addition to your library. Perhaps, if you haven't already, you'd be so kind as to place a (positive) review on Amazon.

Kind regards

John

John,
Thank you very much! What a pleasant surprise!
I look forward to receiving it. Meanwhile, I'm busy reading the first two volumes in your Osprey Waterloo trilogy.
Regards,
Arthur

Arthur,

It's my pleasure (and long overdue).

I hope you're enjoying Quatre Bras and Ligny, albeit within the confines of the 96 page 'Campaign series' format. I've tried to cram in as much as possible. When you've finished the two Osprey titles perhaps you'd consider placing reviews on Amazon.

Many thanks

John

P.S. I'm coming over to Salute this year to see my friend Gerard Cronin and his wonderful 28mm Napoleonic figures, so if you bring your books along I'll sign them for you, if you wish.

Really looking forward to this book on Hougoumont by John. I know he wanted to publish it first as a study on the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, but I hope this will be just as interesting.
On my list next week to order!

I understand from the publisher that the release date for the book has been put back until mid-August: link

There are various reasons for this, none of which are to do with the written content, as there will be a strong association between the book and work being undertaken at Hougoumont in the coming weeks.

Thanks again

John

Oh well, just have to wait a little longer. More money meanwhile for my N/gauge Railway hobby.

This does look like a good book to have; it looks like the definitive book on the battle at Hougoumont. Since the Amazon price is $34.95 USD and you need $35 USD to get free shipping, it looks like I'm just going to have to order your third Osprey book on Waterloo also :)

Michael,

It is impossible for me to state that the 'Struggle for Hougoumont' book will be definitive, as so many new items have come to light in recent years. I think the book will include a great many new items, with previously unpublished material from the likes of Charles Dashwood – who commanded the Light Company of the 3rd Foot Guards at Hougoumont – and his description of the fighting around the north gate, will add another dimension to our understanding.

You might not be aware of Waterloo Uncovered (I'd recommend you search Google for their website now). My associate and friend, Dr. Tony Pollard, is leading a team which is working at Hougoumont currently, and which will continue after the bi-centenary celebrations to undertake archealogical digging at the site. I've been contributing to this project for a number of years, and the artefacts being found in and around the farm complex are fascinating.

Kind regards

John

P.S. I'm sorry to hear that the Amazon pricing will prevent you from buying the book. I'll speak with Alan Sutton at Fonthill Media, the publisher, to see if there's something we can do.

John, I was being "funny" when I mentioned that since the Amazon price is 5 cents cheaper than the free shipping threshold, I would have to add another book, your third Waterloo volume, to get the free shipping.

Michael,

I assumed that you were joking, but thought I should respond in some way. Don't forget to visit the Waterloo Uncovered website.

Kind regards

John