The Napoleonic Source Book [Paperback]

Philip J. Haythornthwaite (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

With a brief chronological account of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars to act as a quick reference, the remaining volume provides in sharp detail a survey of the basic capabilities and use of the weaponry of the era, a review of each state's participation in those ongoing conflicts, brief biographical notices of some of the leading military leaders, an update on the development of Napoleonic literature, a glossary of military terms, and a section devoted to miscellaneous facts and figures.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- An excellent vehicle for a study of the Napoleonic Wars--the participants, weapons, and uniforms. Haythornthwaite gives a short history of all of the nations involved and includes biographical information on the major military figures. Weapons and military organizations are also dealt with in some detail. Maps and campaign diagrams, plus plates and paintings, give an accurate picture of the rigors of war in the 19th century. A well-organized resource for academic study, as well as enjoyable reading for general knowledge.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Philip J Haythornthwaite is known to all followers of matters Napoleonic as a prolific and knowledgeable source of original research. A one time bookseller, he has an extensive private collection of Napoleonic material and is the a

Product Details

• Paperback: 414 pages
• Publisher: Arms & Armour (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854092871
• ISBN-13: 978-1854092878
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,844,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good starting point, December 16, 2000

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Napoleonic Source Book (Paperback)

I found this 'Napoleonic Source Book' to be a good and useful overview of the Napoleonic Wars.

Haythornthwaite has divided the book into 7 sections. The first 60 pages are a brief descriptions of all the campaigns from the French Revolution to the end of Waterloo. And brief is the operative word - there isn't much space to go into explanatory detail here. I find it useful - my interest is predominantly in the Peninsular War but I know very littleof the other French campaigns.

The second chapter is on the weapons and practice of War. I know this is a somewhat controversial issue. I did find Rory Muir's book a lot more convincing on this subject - but then he was a lot longer.

Haythornthwaite then tries to do a very difficult thing, he has a chapter on the nations involved in the war, dozens of them from grand countries like Prussia and Russia to tiny backwaters like Piedmont and Reuss. You can see the potential problems when everything from uniforms to structure is tried to be explained.

The three sections I like best are next. He has one with potted biographies of the main players in the war - a great starting point I think. He also has a section on the sources he used for this - I don't know about you but I love bibliographies and his has some wonderful new books I hadn't come across before, and finally a section on miscellanea which I have found very helpful - from various calendars and colours to artillery tables.

I think this is a highly ambitious project and Haythornthwaite has done a pretty good job of it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource of military organizaton and tactics in 1800's, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Napoleonic Source Book (Paperback)

This book proves that Philip J. Haythornthwaite has done a great deal of research in the past on military tactics and oganization during the Napoleonic wars. This book is the perfect information source for anyone interested in wargaming or the reinacting of early 19th century warfare.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative look at the militaries of the Napoleonic Age, July 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Napoleonic Source Book (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone interested in the armies and military structures of the nations involved in the Napoleonic conflict. Easy to read and understand, it covers not only the militaries but also the military theories and weapons common at the time. The only detraction from this book is that its coverage of the fleets of the participants is rather weak. Nevertheless, this is a first rate military work.