"'new' non-waterloo titles coming our way" Topic

I thought the forthcoming titles by George Nafziger were new books, but it seems they may be reprints with new maps added-

Lutzen and Bautzen (31st March, 2017)

Imperial Bayonets (30th April, 2017)

Napoleon At Dresden (15th October, 2017)

Disappointing if you already own them, but great, if like me, you missed out on one or two when they first became available. I could find no info or mention of a reprint of the Leipzig book, but I do hope it becomes available.

I did like the title of your posting…….

Certainly do take your point! There may yet be something new to say about The Battle, maybe from non English language personal accounts….but they do seem to be curiously lacking….and not just because all writers are Anglo centric?

deadhead

I shall probably buy all the new Waterloo and 1815 titles. One reason is because I think every book on Waterloo (or any other action for that matter) will contain elements and aspects that others do not.

But I made the post because, after the recent (and forthcoming) mass of 1815 titles, it was nice to see some forthcoming titles on a different action. But I was a bit disappointed to discover they may be reprints. Still, I don't own some of them so they're also on my list.

And talking of different actions, I just spotted this which might be on interest-
By Fire and Bayonet. Grey's West Indies Campaign 1794 by Steve Brown. (Due 15th Nov, 2017 via Amazon for £25.00 GBP)

Imperial Bayonets has been out a number of years and is kind of a definitive source on the VERY technical aspects of this period. I am not smart enough to say when Nafziger is right or wrong but more than smart enough to say that it is more detail than I need. The other two books I highly recommend. Napoleon at Dresden for sure. Very readable, very useful.

I must be the only Napoleonic wargamer not interested in Waterloo.

Fear not Puddinhead. You are not alone.

Definitely not.

I got sick of it decades ago.

Esquire, you find Nafziger to be "very readable"? I'd hate to see what you regard as unreadable. While I appreciate Nafziger's depth of research, I think that his prose is just horrible to read and the books certainly could have done with better maps. His books could have been so much better. At least they were worth some money on the secondhand market, but I am guessing that will change with these improved reprints.

Esquire

Yes, I agree. I already own a copy of Napoleon at Dresden. An excellent title but I'm a little annoyed the new version will have colour maps etc. But I'm looking forward to getting some of the others I do not have in my collection and seeing what the new maps are like. Nafziger's books certainly contain a fair amount of detail and information. I'm still trying to find out if his Leipzig title will also be reprinted.

AussieAndy -- yes, I might have overstated it. Imperial Baynonets is so difficult to read and use, I've lost the purpose. I went back and looked at the Dresden book. Not a volume that you would necessarily read, but if you game that campaign, and I have numerous times, it is very useful and the text can certainly be read, understood and utilized. You can easily build a dozen wargaming scenarios from the book without difficulty. But yes, I agree, perhaps wrong to call it "readable." How about "useable"?

Why all the dislike of Waterloo? Yes, it has been written about to death, but it is the defining battle of the Napoleonic Wars. It's my favourite, although I am also a fan of Austerlitz, Jena, Borodino, and Aspern-Essling. We need more books on those other battles, in my opinion there is no need for any more Waterloo books.

Haitiansoldier

Yes, I am puzzled as to why people dislike a particular battle. Although, I imagine the 1815 actions may not be so appealing to those who prefer actions involving the French versus the Austrians, Russians or Spanish?

But in my opinion, each battle (and campaign) has its own merits and interests, no matter the timing, location or number of troops involved. And, although Waterloo appears to have the most books written about it, especially in English, and it is the action I own the most titles on (especially after 2015), I would much rather more titles appearing than none at all.

New titles offer the opportunity to see how viewpoints may have changed over the years, plus hopefully offer new material and information. Of course, it remains to be seen if this years batch of Waterloo and 1815 titles live up to that. But one thing for sure, we certainly won't be running out of titles to read. And there is also the chance that the authors writing about 1815, if their work sells well, may consider researching and writing about other actions and campaigns. One can but hope.

Waterloo may look it has been done to death.

But it still has me obsessed….

A cataclysmic encounter, with an ending few would have predicted. Surely the likely outcome was a French victory and the Allied forces fall back to fight another day, or a draw, when the French must fall back, because Blucher has made this insane decision to retreat in contact with DoW. Crazier still…he actually leaves a small unit behind, on his only lines of communication, and marches across the face of his advancing enemy, to support an ally who did not (could not) support him 48 hours earlier. Insane, but genius. So was DoW.

In a few hours the history of Europe was changed for 99 years. OK, its importance has been altered by the obvious input of writers in the English language, but, if only….if only…we could find just one account of a Prussian who did the Wavre to Plancenoit thing, or a DB…..a Nassaeur…. who stood on the ridge. (yes I do have all six volumes of Gareth Glover's work)

Where is the German, Netherland account of the equivalent of closing the gates, taking the eagles, charging the guns, forming the squares, firing the artillery, facing La Garde?

There must be such. Surely….but I am not so sure. Or is it that the inhabitants of the Low Countries are sick to death of being the "Cockpit of Europe" and want to move on?

Other than Retreat from Moscow, no other battle of our era of interest is remotely as well documented by the participants. They simply do not come to life with tales of this division did that and that battalion did that….

deadhead

As interesting as what could have happened might be, I much prefer to read about what did or may have happened.

I imagine there will always be titles on 1815 popping up now and again, especially if someone thinks they have found some new material or information. Long may it continue.

Anyway, I have just been notified that Nafziger's books are not just reprints but have some changes and corrections in them, as well as the addition of colour maps.

I have also been told that his Leipzig title is planned to be republished in 2018. The more Nap titles the merrier, I always say, even if it is breaking the bank. LOL

When will Essling and Wagram finally have definitive, single volume studies?

Hi Puddinhead … one more here. Much more interested in Prussian & Russian than British.

Also very much more keen on plastic than metal … not so much the cost but the nostalgia from childhood playing with Timpo and Airfix 54mm Napoleonics.

So I would have been much happier with Prussian or Russian cavalry and artillery from Perry, Victrix and Warlord.

Haitiansoldier

I know what you mean. Apart from the Osprey title I can only think of Hourtoulle's Histoire & Collections Wagram and their smaller title Essling by Gilles Boue.

Perhaps these will be delights to come. Detailed titles on those battles are long overdue and I can't see them not selling well either. Again, we can but hope.