Customer Reviews

Germanic Warrior AD 236-568

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

 

 

It's always difficult to cover a large subject in the brief but effective Osprey format, but MacDowell has made a useful addition to his volumes on the Late Roman cavalry and infantry to give an overview of the later Germanic warriors. The author is faced by twin difficulties: (i) the evidence is often sparse and fragmentary and (ii) the Germanic tribes differed markedly from each other in many ways and changed and adapted over the centuries. Generalisations are thus difficult, and what may be true in relation to a noble Ostrogothic cavalryman are unlikely to be true for their Frankish infantry contemporaries. Despite this, MacDowell compresses a large amount of information into a useful book.

THe volume covers obvious territory in relation to the early Germanic warrior social structure, which forms a good context for the beginner or general reader. The sections on training and tactics go some way toward modifying the Hollywood image of "screaming savage barbarians", with MacDowell emphasising the influence of centuries of contact with Rome on the organisation of these warbands. Similarly, the convergence between the equipment used by the Germanics and those used by their Roman foes and allies also creates a very different image of these "invaders".

The section on the "experience of battle" gives an immediacy and vitality to what could be a dry catalogue of ancient fragments and archaeological evidence. As ever, Angus McBride's evocative watercolours bring the evidence to life, with several pictures, such as that of the blond Germanic lord in late Roman costume, flanked by his comitatus guards and receiving homage from a new retainer in his (rather run-down) Roman villa telling a story while illustrating some artefacts.

Overall, this isn't a perfect book and the text can be thin in places (since this isn't really MacDowell's area of specialisation), but in terms of context and as a starting point for newcomers to this area, this book is a good contribution.

A valuable addition to the Osprey Elite series. Author Simon MacDowall covers the Germanic Warriors from 236 to 568 AD. The chapters: Chronology -- The warrior society -- Leadership and hierarchy -- Training -- Equipment and appearance -- The warrior on campaign -- The experience of battle. The book is beautifully illustrated by the well-known artist Angus McBride.

Some good text but its the illustrations that led me to buy this book. If you want to get an idea of what the Guys who took over Western Europe looked like then here you go!

The text is interesting, but what sets the book apart is the illustrations. I am a fan of the Beowulf epic, and these drawings help me imagine how Beowulf the Geat might have appeared. The king on his throne receiving a new thane could have been Danish king Hrothgar, in a rundown throne room next to what was left of his meadöhall, receiving Beowulf!

These are some of my favorite McBride plates, depicting not only Germanic warriors in battle, but also treatment of the wounded, a soldier paying homage, a feast, the making of weapons, and the 376 crossing of the Danube by the future Visigoths. The text is also very good, not only for the information itself but how it is presented. McDowall gives a realistic portrait of the typical 'barbarian' warrior of this period, putting the reader in his shoes during his recruitment, training, combat experience, and personal life. Overall, this book breathes life into a turbulent and beautiful people who have tragically been remembered only as hairy savages and destroyers of civilization.