Customer Reviews

German Medieval Armies 1000-1300 (Men-at-Arms)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dieses Heft ist leider mit einigen Mängeln behaftet. Das ist man von Osprey nicht gewöhnt. Die Mängel ziehen sich durch alle Bereiche. Nicht nur im Text gibt es Schwächen, auch die Bilder, obwohl gut dargestellt, sind nicht immer korrekt. Ich will dem Autor und dem Zeichner zugute halten, dass es immer Lücken geben wird, wenn man sich mit einer Epoche befasst, die Hunderte von Jahren vergangen ist. Doch mit entsprechend guter Literatur, kann so manche Lücke geschlossen werden.
Das wurde hier leider versäumt.

As the previous reviewer stated, this book pays little attention to the gear and fighting styles of the period. It instead focuses on the organization and composition of the German army, and then on the various major campaigns and battles of this period. This is valuable information nonetheless, and the quality of the plates and plate commentary make up for the otherwise lacking in the weapon-and-armor department.

When I got this book, I was hoping it was as it claims a study on German medieval armies from 1000-1300 for example its orgainisation, its fighting styles and weapons systems. Instead what you get is a very basic military history of the battles and campaigns in the region.

As always in this series you get plenty of photographs and illustrations which are good.

I found this to be a decent summary and intro to the topic. I would like to have seen a MUCH more extensive Bibliography. The color plates were nice.

This reviewer is a big fan of men-at-arms books and magazines. However, I will have to give this book a less than passing grade. Now, if this book is the only way you can get information then it's fine. But, to be honest, a good Wikipedia search can usually find the same stuff, at no cost, and usually in much more detail.

I did like the color plates. I've rarely seen a poorly done Osprey color plates (their aircraft books are second to none). Also, the book does do a good job of giving a history of Medievil Germany, the Holy Roman Empire (mid-Europe), and the various armies and kingdoms of the period.

It's just that this book isn't much more than a guide. If you did web searches on particular items then much more would be found and at no cost to the researcher, reader, or historian.

I give this book a 6 out of 10 for value. Wikipedia just has so much more informaiton for free.