"Don Troiani's Campaign to Saratoga - 1777: The..." Topic

…Turning Point of the Revolutionary War in Paintings, Artifacts, and Historical Narrative

"The Battles of Saratoga are cited as the turning point in the Revolutionary War. Beginning when the armies prepared to face off in June 1777 through the surrender of the British Army in October, the battles of the Northern Campaign were significant to the outcome of the War and the fight for independence. As a result of the Saratoga battles, the patriots gained confidence, the French entered the war, and the British plan to win the war quickly was put to an end.

Master historical painter Don Troiani and historian Eric Schnitzer combine their talents in this new book on Saratoga, the Revolutionary War campaign. This magnificently illustrated history features many new artworks, previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, photographs of important artifacts, and a solid, detailed historical narrative including background on the campaigns leading up to Saratoga."

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'The Brunswick Dragoons at the battle of Bennington Vermont. Lt. Col Baum is ordering his men to draw their broadswords to try to cut their way out. Didn't work and Baum was mortally wounded. Four of the enlisted dragoon swords and one officer's sword still survive . They captured ones were issued to the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons." '

Amicalement
Armand

It's an excellent volume and the paintings/prints are of great value. The text, not so much.

Getting that

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I agree with Brechtel198, the plates are very good and inspirational. The text, meh. I bought one because of the plates, not the narration. I have other books for that.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

The narration is actually not bad. What did you expect? The maps were helpful, especially for us gamers. I've seen more Saratoga scenario maps than I can count that bear no resemblance to the actual terrain.

I expect accurate material that is well-written and enjoyable to read. I don't believe that is too much to ask.

It's both. But the emphasis in on Troiani's art. If you want more granularity re: the campaign, I'd go with Luzader or Schnitzer's collection of essays.

"I expect accurate material that is well-written and enjoyable to read. I don't believe that is too much to ask."

You seem to imply that there is something factually wrong. So can you specifically point to something that is factually wrong with the book?

Good questions…

Amicalement
Armand

I finally had a chance to look at this book. I am somewhat torn. As a picture book on the Saratoga campaign it is first rate. The only problem is the price is a bit high for that market. As a study of the campaign for serious history students it comes up a little short. The best way I could describe it is an Osprey Saratoga campaign on steroids. For someone trying to build wargame armies for the Saratoga campaign I would give it a MUST BUY based on Troiani's art work.

So it's fair to ask what the market, or target audience is for any book. While obviously it doesn't go into the detail of the Luzader book (though I suspect it has some updated info from that book), I've found the text as compelling as the artwork. The cost is high as this is a hardback book with lots of color plates and photos, all of which make the printing costs higher.

One of the authors also contributed to a much more detailed analysis of the campaign as well:

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I learned several new things reading this book--for example, more detail on how/why Morgan's attack during the September battle went awry.

I had always read he was flanked by light infantry, but it turns out to have been 2 coys of the 24th Foot, a grasshopper gun and an Indian detachment.

That's way more detail than I've seen before, especially as a gamer.

Yeah, I'm seeing lots of new details too.