Attila and the Nomad Hordes (Elite) [Paperback]

David Nicolle (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: September 27, 1990

Of all the conquerors who swept out of Central Asia, two names stand out in European memory – Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan the Mongol. Both are remembered for massacres and devastation; yet whereas Genghis is also famous for the laws he imposed on half of Asia and for the trade which flourished under Mongol rule, Attila's notoriety seems unrelieved by positive achievements. But what was Attila's short-lived empire really like? What happened to the Huns afterwards, and what role did the nomads of Central Asia play in the centuries between Attila and Genghis Khan?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

David Nicolle was born in 1944 and worked for the BBC, including the overseas broadcasting service before returning to university, obtaining his PhD in Edinburgh. He subsequently taught at Yarmouk University in Jordan, since which he has contributed a substantial number of Osprey titles. He is a specialist in medieval arms and armour and has written several books as well as numerous articles for specialist journals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 27, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850459966
• ISBN-13: 978-0850459968
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nomads of Central Asia, July 19, 2002

By 

Munir "ahmad" (Cerritos, California USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Attila and the Nomad Hordes (Elite) (Paperback)

Even if only the tip of the iceberg, Nicolle's work is certainly enjoyable for readers with only a casual interest in the subject. Despite its title, this book deals not particularly with the Huns, but with the Turco-Mongol nomads of Central Asia in general (the author adds in the forest peoples of Siberia). The influence that these hardy horsemen of the steppes had on military science and even chivalry was staggering. These people, it would seem, practically invented warfare. Even the oath on the sword taken by European knights was apparently borrowed from the nomad Turks. Nicolle's general discussion is followed by profiles of the nomad groups between the Huns and Genghis Khan (Kipchaks, Bulgars, Seljuks, Karakhanids), including cultural details (they were no mere barbarians). The color drawings were beautiful and intricate, right down to the tiny brass bells decorating the Turkic warrior's spear. Overall, it's a colorful and fascinating introduction to the nomads of Central Asia.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just the tip of the iceberg, March 10, 2001

By 

ottoman (London UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Attila and the Nomad Hordes (Elite) (Paperback)

Osprey books are mainly aimed at wargamers who who want to know what their armies should look like - hence the emphasis is on glossy exciting artwork. This book certainly scores in that department, and it's also well written & researched, as you'd expect from David Nicolle. He digs up a number of surprising & unusual details, eg the fact that the Huns had become an infantry army by the time they invaded Gaul & the Pechenegs being described as "clean-shaven" (funny, I thought they were famous for their shaggy beards!) Weak points include a rather amateur-looking map of the steppes which doesn't really help you to follow the text & some very poor & unclear photos (often a problem with Osprey). I was disappointed too by the lack of info about wagon laagers & (Pecheneg) war wagons. But I guess the main problem is that its trying to cover so much in too few pages. Obviously nobody's going to write an Osprey book just on the Pechenegs or the Khazars etc but it can be quite frustrating to read abook that only gives "the tip of the iceberg".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wrong title, December 18, 2006

By 

Anibal Madeira (Lisboa Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Attila and the Nomad Hordes (Elite) (Paperback)

Although this book clarifies several issues and raises the debate in certain subjects (like the Hsung-Nu; are they the ancestors of the Huns, even with all the different physical, social and cultural differences?), it suffers of a major drawback...it doesn't have almost anything on the Huns, and only half a page and a colour plate on Attila and his army; considering that the title is "Attila and the Nomad Hordes" this is a problem (and the re-issue under the name "Attila the Hun" is outright lying").

If titled just "Nomad Hordes", this would be a 4 or 5 stars, because it is very informative (considering the space limitations), fun to read, and the colour plates are McBride at his best.

Buy it if you want to have a general idea about Turco-Mongol, Khazar, Pecheneg and other horse peoples of the steppe; it's worth the price.