Don Troiani's Regiments & Uniforms of the Civil War [Hardcover]

Don Troiani (Author), Earl J. Coates (Author), Michael J. McAfee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2002

In the world of historical painting, Don Troiani stands alone, universally acclaimed for the accuracy, drama, and sensitivity of his depictions of America's past. His Civil War paintings and limited edition prints hang in the finest collections in the country and are noted by collectors from around the world. Now, in Don Troiani's Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War, the artist turns his brush to one of the most colorful and captivating aspects of Civil War history: the individual units that earned their reputations on the battlefield and the distinctive uniforms they wore. In addition to 130 paintings of battle scenes and individual figures, the book also includes more than 250 full-color photographs of the uniforms the soldiers wore and the accouterments they carried. Supporting the illustrations is text by two of the leading military artifact experts. Taken together, it makes for one of the most comprehensive books on Civil War uniforms ever undertaken

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Don Troiani is one of America's most talented and respected historical artists. His specialty is the Civil War, and this, the third book showcasing his artwork, has 380 color illustrations, including 250 photos of uniforms and associated gear, and 130 reproductions of Troiani's paintings. Many pictures are of individual soldiers, highlighting the wide variety of uniforms worn by soldiers of both sides, while others show the troops in battle. The headgear, shoes, knapsacks, drums and other photographed items mostly come from Troiani's vast personal collection, while others are from the West Point Museum, the collections of New York State, Confederate Memorial Hall, and smaller museums and private collections. The text by Coates, former curator of the National Security Agency's National Cryptologic Museum, and writer McAfee covers the state militia of the early days of the war, the infantry, cavalry, artillery, the gaudy "Zouaves," foreign volunteers and other branches, while chapter notes and a brief bibliography direct readers seeking more information on a favorite unit or uniform. This 9" 12" compendium should please buffs and reenactors re-creating period costume.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Don Troiani attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and New York City's Art Students League. His artwork is in numerous major collections, including American Heritage magazine, the National Park Service, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, the Pentagon, and the Smithsonian Institute.

Michael J. McAfee is an author of numerous books and articles. He is a collector of Civil War photography and an authority on Civil War uniforms, particularly Zouaves. He is a curator at the West Point Museum at the United States Military Academy.

Earl J. Coates, former curator of the National Security Agency, is a leading authority on Civil War uniforms. Now retired and living in Gettysburg, he has been involved with Maryland Arms Collectors, the North-South Skirmish Association, and the Friends of Gettysburg National Park.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1St Edition edition (November 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081170520X
• ISBN-13: 978-0811705202
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > History > Military > Uniforms
  • #47 in Books > History > Military > Pictorials
  • #56 in Books > History > Military > Regiments

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for Civil War Buffs, December 8, 2002

By 

Shenandoah1865 (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Don Troiani's Regiments & Uniforms of the Civil War (Hardcover)

Don Troiani has done it again. Fantastic book! Knowing the quality of Troiani's work, I'd had it pre-ordered for some time, and am thrilled to now have it in hand.

Many illustrations are of individual soldiers - allowing for a precise look at the uniform fit, colors and textures as well as how the accessories and accoutrements were worn. The book's illustrations are fantastic and it also has 250+ photographs of uniforms and equipment - many items are from the artist's personal, extensive collection. There is extensive coverage of Zouaves and Chasseurs.

If you've never seen a fully uniformed and armed soldier from the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry, 1st U.S. Hussars 1864-65, a quick purusal will explain why they were nicknamed The Butterflies.

After hearing Mr. Troiani speak in the summer of 2001 (and getting to briefly meet him), he has become my favorite Civil War artist by far. His soldiers are real - sometimes muddy, bloody and torn, and faces may have several days growth of beard, with their emotions and fatigue clearly visible. Hair and facial hair styles are accurate, as are body sizes and types, and all small details. Gaze deeply into one of his paintings, and soon you'll swear you can hear the noise of battle and feel the fear, confusion, determination and courage of the soldiers. Troiani takes you there.

The text, written by Earl Coates, Michael McAfee and Don Troiani, is accurate, concise and thoroughly expands one's understanding of the illustrations.

Extensive sources are given, as are recommendations for museums (and their websites) with extensive collections of Civil War uniforms. Don't let the price throw you, the book is well worth it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Latest volume in the "Troiani Triology" is the best one yet., January 6, 2003

By 

Bruce W. Miller (Detroit, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don Troiani's Regiments & Uniforms of the Civil War (Hardcover)

If you enjoyed "Don Troiani's Civil War" and "Soldiers in America" you'll love the new "Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War." What becomes more clear with each book is the incredible amount of research that goes into Mr. Troiani's work.
This latest book is a perfect combination of text, photography and art.
Noted Civil War authorities Earl Coates and Michael McAfee provide the in depth research text that reads like a novel. The photos of uniforms, headgear, buttons, et al show the extensiveness of resources (most from his personal collection) available to Troiani. Based on these two pillars of knowledge, Troiani creates art of Civil War soldiers in uniform that is unparallelled in accuracy as well as anatomy and action.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a terrific time-sink!, October 23, 2003

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Don Troiani's Regiments & Uniforms of the Civil War (Hardcover)

Because I'm a working historian with a strong interest in material culture and artifacts, combined with a tourist's interest in Civil War battlefields, I've long been a fan of Troiani's amazingly detailed, extremely accurate, almost photographic art. This gorgeous volume combines large-scale reproductions of 130 of his paintings with some 250 color photos of surviving uniforms and equipment from museums and collections around the country (including Troiani's own). After a couple hours of page-turning, I went back and spent much more time studying the depictions of units of special interest to me, such as the Washington Artillery of New Orleans and Terry's Texas Rangers. The variety in uniforms and insignia is staggering, especially compared to the "uniformity" of modern military uniforms. As usual, he includes extensive technical notes and specs, as well as an annotated guide to artifact collections. It's not a cheap book, but it's worth every penny.