"ITALIAN WAR BOOKS - ASSISTANCE REQUESTED" Topic

Hi All! Could I please request from anyone of books that encompasses the Italian Wars. Of note is a book John mentioned in his collection from an Italian source. I believe that there are books not in print anymore, but maybe available secondhand.

Your assistance appreciated.

God Bless

Helen

Giucciardini (sp?) is probably what you're looking for. I picked up an abridged English translation a couple years ago, but I couldn't find it on amazon just now- I think Sidney Alexander did the translation. Giucciardini was somewhat involved in the events described, which has its good and bad points.

Otherwise, Charles Oman's Art of War in the Sixteenth Century is a military overview, but it is also out of print.
There is also the Art of War in Italy, by R.F. (?)Taylor, another military history.

Also, become familiar with the names Michael Mallett and J.R. Hale- they have several books and articles on different military aspects of the time.

Unfortunately, however, I haven't found a really good political/military overview of the whole period.

Hope this helps

Rich

Helen,

A mighty tall order! There are many books covering the Italian Wars. The book which I mentioned previously covers Italian Warfare in the 15th and 16th centuries and is entitled: "Armi E Armati Nell'Italia Dei Secoli XV-XVI" by Antonio G. G. Merendoni. It contains a military treatise written by Leonardi in the mid 16th century. It also contains examples of artwork depicting various soldiers from the period and so-so line drawings showing arms, armor and some heraldry from Italian armies. The text is entirely in Italian (some is rather archaic Italian), so it takes me some time to translate. Much of the text connected with the drawings provides useful descriptions of weapons, armor and sometimes color schemes of the "uniforms." I purchased it through a used and rare book dealer (online) in the UK. I forget which one, but there are many such online retailers about who can usually find the book for you. I think I paid around 15GBP plus shipping.

Osprey has a number of useful books as well. Two dedicated to landsknechts, one on Pavia and one on Fornovo, both battles fought at ethier end of the Italian Wars. There are also Ospreys on Italian Medieval Armies (1300-1500) and the Venetian Empire. The Ospreys are good starting points, especially if it's uniforms, heraldry and armor types you are after.

An excellent book in English that specifically covers the Italian Wars is: "The Art of Warfare in Italy 1494-1529" by F.L. Taylor. It is rather comprehensive, covering tactics, strategy and army organizations. I purchased this book years ago through Caliver Books in the UK. I think it is also available through On Military Matters in the US.

If its "uniforms" and armor that you are after, then another good collection is the three volume set entitle: "Arms and uniforms-The Age of Chivalry" by Liliane and Fred Funcken. These volumes are rich in information.

There are many more, but these I think are some of the more helpful.

John

To add to Zagloba's post, Guicciardini gives a good history, although the abridged version in English lacks much detail of battles. I found an unabridged version (from the 18th century no less) through Palas Armata, a small concern run by a really helpful and nice fellow who collects rare manuscripts. He happened to have a copy. I do not think he has a website, but he was on the yahoo Renaissance list: "Rempas" (now sort of defunct). He may still be listed there.

Oman is a classic, although perhaps a bit dated. Another classic is Delbruck's "The Dawn of Modern Warfare". Also a bit dated, but filled with great information on the Italian Wars.

And I agree with Zagloba about Michael mallett and John Rigby Hale. I have several of their books. The best ones for the period perhpas are a bit heavy on details, but are very fascinating reads (at least to a geek like me): "Mercenaries and their Masters, Warfare in Renaissance Italy" by Mallett. "The Military Organization of a Renaissance State: Venice 1400 to 1617" by Mallett and Hale. "Artists and Warfare in the Renaissance" by Hale (a great volume with tons of plates, drawings and the like depicting various aspects of warfare during the period).

And then of course there's good old Nicolo Machiavelli's "The Art of War" and "The Discourses". Both of these are very theoretical (or philosophical).

Some more recent offerings include: "The Renaissance at War" by Thomas Arnold (lots of plates, drawings and diagrams), "European Warfare 1494-1660" by jeremy black and Betrand Halls' book: "Weapons and Warfare in Renaissance Europe."

Believe me, there are more......

John

Thankyou to all for providing myself with the info on books. I'll certainly look into searching for some of these books through dealers here in Australia.

Thanks again and God Bless

Helen

"John N Holly

And then of course there's good old Nicolo Machiavelli's "The Art of War" and "The Discourses". Both of these are very theoretical (or philosophical)."

Which are available online here:-

link

Also, Greenhill books republished Oman's "Art of War the Sixteeth Century" in 1991; ISBN 0-947898-69-7, I don't know if it's still in print - I bought my copy in about 1997

Let me see, surely I can add to that list. Hmmmmm. Yes! We have a number of books to talk about battles but there is an excellent one on what a campaign and seige was like during the Italian Wars. It's called The Sack of Rome 1527 by Judeth Hook. This is a fascinating read. It was published in 1972 - sbn 333-13272-6. I heartily recommned it.

Rich

[The Sack of Rome 1527 by Judeth Hook...]

Damn, another one I have to pick up. Just don't tell my wife.

Thankyou again. I've picked up some of these books this day that have been mentioned above.

God Bless

Helen

Somewhat appropos would also be 'Renaissance Diplomacy' by Garrett Mattingly and 'A Renaissance Tapestry The Gonzaga of Mantua' by Kate Simon. Good, colorful background material to the Italian Wars. Puts both a political and human face on the military experience.

Apart from those on specific battel or camapign the best (modern) Italian source is

Piero Pieri. "Il Rinascimento e la crisi militare italiana. Einaudi". Torino. 1952

Out of print unfortunatly

John, I'm going to squeal, unless you send nicely painted 15mm Italian Wars figs to me at...............

Milanese, Imperial, French, or Swiss will be fine. A DBA army's worth, with options will be fine.

12 elements ...is that 3 elements of French, 3 of Milanese, etc...???

Well, actually, I was thinking of 18, and to be magnanimous about the blackmailing, you can make it a balanced force from any one nationality of your choosing, as listed above, provided the figs are all first rate, e.g. Venexia, Mirliton, Essex.

Best regards,

Rob