"Bird's eye view Battle Maps" Topic

Back when I was younger (1970's) one of my favorite books was the National Geographic History of the American Revolution. It was not the text that grabbed me. It was a quiant series about a family visiting battle fields at the correct time of year as a fun family outing. Something about the father in a coat and tie struck me as off. No it was the wonderful battle maps that still to this day hold my fascination. These were bird eye views of the battlefield with soldiers fighting it out. Incredibly detailed, they made the complicated actions understandable. They also made me run to the local hobby story to buy boxes of Airfix soldiers and try and fight out these encounters. These were one of the things which set me on my life long hobby of miniature wargaming.

Since then I have wondered who the artist was who did these works of art. I also stumbled on similar works but with slightly different techniques. Thankfully the internet has come to my assistance and I finally have some answers; and evan more questions. Here are the four artists who's battle maps have fascinated and inspired me. In addition I will include blog and internet addresses of my sources so you know where I came about this information and who came up with this research. It is important to give credit to those who did the work.

For lots more pictures and more information please drop by my blog at:

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Very nice. Thanks for posting!

Love the Battle of Trenton ones in particular – thanks for sharing – also what a phenomenal gift for you.

I LOVED those books growing up! Still do. I used to check the Revolutionary War book out of the library all the time. Then I received the Civil War book as a gift. Like you, it inspired untold happy hours of battles with Marx and Airfix figures. Great memories.

Awesome.
Mine was the American Heritage Civil War. I would spend hours in the library looking at the maps.

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The American Heritage Civil War was my inspiration as well. Got it as a Christmas present from my parents, probably in the late '60s/early '70s, and it remains a cherished possession on my bookshelves.

Yes all those pictures of the battlefield were awesome and inspiring.

Very cool ! I just ordered a copy of the Revolutionary War book for under $4 USD including shipping !

It is a good chance that those books got me into wargaming!