"Prussian Napoleonic Landwehr by Stephen Summerfield" Topic

Does anyone knows which Bürgergarde units are covered by this book?

There is a general description of these units plus five colour plates of the Berlin Bürgergarde, depicting rank and file, sharpshooters, and officers.

Any information on the uniforms of the Bürgergarde of cities other than Berlin?

Nope, it gives examples of which cities formed one (more than 3,000 inhabitants). The uniform shown is very basic – blue single-breasted coatee, white breeches, and what look like the usual Brandenburg provincial distinctions. So I would guess units raised in Cologne would have green (Westphalian) distinctions, etc.

That was in the Prussian Landwehr Book produced for Partizan Press. The rather antequated appearance was common for the other cities. I do not recall seeing any more specific information as to the facing colours for the other cities.

Richard Brown of Ken Trotman has given me the green light to produce a completely revised 2nd edition which will be out next year. The previous publisher did not pay me royalties.
Stephen

Hi Stephen

If you want help with having that proof read, as before, I am happy to oblige.

The uniform of the Liegnitz Bürgergarde is described here (German only).

link

It seems the formation of Bürgergarden in all towns of the monarchy originated in a Royal order of 15th April 1812. I couldn't yet find its full text.

With the "Regulation concerning the modification of the Landsturm edict", of 17 July 1813, the Bürgergarden were integrated into the Landsturm. They were never part of neither the regular army, nor the Landwehr.

Thank you very much, guys!

4th Cuirassier, when you mention "The uniform shown is very basic – blue single-breasted coatee", is this uniform just for the Berlin Bürgergarde?

And Dr. Summerfield, could you mention some of the new info that will be in the 2nd edition?

Stephen
I assume that what you are saying is that, under the deal with Caliver/Partizan, you were not entitled to royalties, rather than Caliver/Partizan not paying royalties that were owed. However, I still find it staggering that you got nothing for all your work.I know the books don't sell in the millions, but it is not like Caliver/Partizan spends any money on proof reading or editing (as far as I can see). I don't think that I could look an author in the eye and say that I won't pay any royalties.
Regards

it is not like Caliver/Partizan spends any money on proof reading or editing (as far as I can see).

AIUI that is exactly right, the author does everything including typesetting in Word.

The trouble with proofreading your own work is that you see what you meant rather than what you wrote, so you need a second pair of eyes.

@ Don: I probably shouldn't give Dr. Summerfield's work away. :-)

If anyone can transliterate that barbarous German script at Oliver's link I'm happy to translate it but I literally cannot read about 40% of it. It speaks of a blue coatee with a single row of gilded buttons, English cuffs (I think), a word I can't decipher and lined in blue. Rifle units same but dark green for blue. Black stock, grey overalls as service dress, black boots.

The German is not difficult but the script is worse than a doctor's handwriting.

4th Cuirassier, I understand. It's just that I'm considering buying the book specifically for uniform information about the Bürgergarde units, and if the only Bürgergarde whose uniforms are mentioned was the Berlin one, then it would be a very expensive purchase, since I already have data on the Berlin Bürgergarde uniforms (from Napoleonic org). That being so, could you tell me if there is in the book any uniform information, even if general notes on cut or color, on the Bürgergarde of any city other than Berlin?

The trouble with proofreading your own work is that you see what you meant rather than what you wrote, so you need a second pair of eyes.

Amen. Been there, done that.

Where authors have the skills of Stephen, then we still get a quality product, despite the shortcomings of publishers, but this is not the case with all authors. Consequently, I am becoming more cautious about buying from Caliver/Partizan, Helion, etc where I don't know and have confidence in the author. It is not like we are just shelling out a few pounds for an amateur publication. When we are paying thirty pounds or more, I think that we have a right to expect a bit more.

Hi Don

It's just the Berlin.

4th Cuirassier, thank you! (((:

Dear All
You will never get rich writing books. The artists recieved more than the author.

Partizan Press were supposed to pay 10% royalties but have neglected to do so except for the initial payment for my couple of books. I have no idea how many were published etc…

Obtaining assistance from readers and colleagues is important. Often the comments come out after the book has been published yet there has been requests to share information.

I feel more at home with tables, data and illustrations than the written word. There has been a great improvement in my writing over the years especially with those who have kindly assisted in proof-reading. I am dyslexic which is no excuse. Dealing in multiple languages increases the complexity.

Being able to do the design and layouts of my work has made it much easier to present the research as it should be. The author is always hung by the errors of the person doing the book design. I never recieved a a proof copy before they were printed.

I wish all the authors out there well in their books and getting them published.
Stephen

Stephen

As I say, if you want free assistance on this in future, I am happy to assist. In 2011 on your Landwehr book we were very short of time, but provided there is enough, there are two proofreads I have had frequent occasion to do on business screeds of similar length and complexity.

One is the simple one that checks grammar, punctuation, spelling, and inadvertent drafting errors ("Wellington deployed the infantry were deployed in dead ground").

The "reference read" beyond that looks for repetition, style, and consistency. So if you've written "the unit had 3 battalions" in one place and "each regiment had three squadrons" in another, the 3/three inconsistency is called out. Likewise, if the text says "This unit is discussed at length in Chapter 7" I check to see that the discussion still is Chapter 7, and hasn't been shifted to 6 or 8 owing to subsequent emendations. If the text says "see Figure 7 for a breakdown of unit strengths", I check that Figure 7 does indeed contain that content. I also check that appendices are in the sequence cited in the text, etc. All probably familiar from your academic stuff, but there is no critique of the content.

You're doing us a favour by bothering to do this, so I figure it's worthy of support and I promise not to pinch the content (although if you're not getting transparent statements of royalties it doesn't sound like you gain from your sales…?!)

Dear 4th Cuirassier
I will talk to you and others when I put my head together in producing the 2nd edition. Currently I have to move house because of BREXIT. Moving 22 book cases and books is getting me down. Move will start in mid August. It has stopped the writing finding a house to rent.

Thank you for the offer. I need to look at the draft which is re-edited from the 1st edition. It has gone through so many changes in layout due to the changes in printers. We are going to do it as A4 with PPC cover. Then look at what further information can be found.
Stephen