Customer Reviews

Napoleonic Army Handbook: The British Army and Her Allies

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The book, a broad, shallow technical description of the Coalition armies is intended as an economical alternative to acquiring a number of more specialized works. Assuming there is an audience for undetailed technical descriptions, the next question is how well does it do what it sets out to do? The answer regrettably is not very well. It appears to be mostly a compilation of many of the more common and accessible secondary sources out there. Since most of these secondary sources are undefinitive and oft times contradictory, the test of the Handbook is how does it resolve such situation. The answer appears that it simply goes with one source or another, and there appears to be little ambition to do better than that. Thus the Handbook offers undefinitive information, economically. And it is rather pricey...

This is a comprehensive book on the armies of the Napoleonic Wars, especially for the wargamer. The detail is sufficient for those who want a general understanding of the countries and their armies under review, and is highly detailed in providing data on regimental campaigns as well as details on some (but not all unfortunatley) of the generals involved. I can't wait for the second volume to be published. Any ideas when that might happen?

Bottom line, if you are a Napoleonic History buff, wargamer or just interesed in the armies of the period, this is a book for you!