Polish Armies (2) 1569-1696 (Men at Arms Series, 188) [Paperback]

Richard Brzezinski (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: June 1, 1988

The 17th century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was almost as varied as modern America. Alongside Slavs lived Lithuanians and other Balts, Germans, Tatars, Armenian merchants, Jewish traders, and even a remarkably large populations of Scots. This variety of cultures had a strong influence on the Polish army. Along with the predominantly Polish and Lithuanian 'winged' hussars served numerous foreigners from both within and outside the Commonwealth: Tatars and Cossacks, Wallachians, Transylvanians, Moldavians, Hungarians, Serbians and Albanians; and from the West, French, Italians, Dutch, Walloons, Swedes and Scots. Richard Brzezinski's companion volume to Men-at-Arms 184 completes his fascinating examination of Polish armies from 1569-1696.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

Richard Brzezinski is a young historian and a leading expert on the military history of central and Eastern Europe, greatly admired for his primary research and painstaking work in archives in Sweden, Germany and Poland. He has previously written titles on the army of Gustavus Adolphus in Osprey's Men-at Arms series and Campaign 68: Lutzen 1632.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (June 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850457440
• ISBN-13: 978-0850457445
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,220,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 2nd volume on Polish armies of 1569-1696, July 6, 2003

By 

Richard J. Brzostek (New England, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polish Armies (2) 1569-1696 (Men at Arms Series, 188) (Paperback)

"Polish Armies 1569-1696 (2)" by Richard Brzezinski is the second volume on the armies of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This volume is 47 pages, has 8 full-page color illustrations by Angus McBride, and has various photographs, illustrations, and maps.

The book discusses the Foreign Autorament of the Polish army, which included "German" Infantry, "German" Calvary, Dragoons, Hungarian Haiduk Infantry, Swiss and other Western Guards, Janissaries, and Tatars. Furthermore, private armies, town and city forces, Zaporozhian Cossacks, warfare in Poland, and tactics are discussed.

This book provides further insight into the 17th century armies of Poland. It briefly discusses the above and has numerous photographs to add meaning to the words. This book, along with the first volume, are great books for someone interested in a concise format of 17th century Polish history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excelent work by Richard Brzezinsky!, September 11, 2009

By 

Anibal Madeira (Lisboa Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Polish Armies (2) 1569-1696 (Men at Arms Series, 188) (Paperback)

The author has a knack to transmit huge amounts of information (for the size of the book) in a clear way and without being pedantic. With a very useful glossary of terms (with pronounciation tips) and a clear writing the author shows in this second installment the influences that the western world gave and received from Poland and Lithuania.

Being the juncture point betweem east and west, the Polish kingdom had a unique military system that was a sincretism between both warmaking philosophies.

In this book you can find the information about the "Foreign Autorement" (and its increasing polization, although mantaining germanic weapons and tactics), The Royal Guard (limited in numbers more from political than economical reasons), the powerful city militias (like Danzig) the Private armies of the landholding magnates and also the unruly, autonomous Zaporozhian Cossacks and Tatars.

The descriptions aren't dry at all, they are filled with information about cultural customs (like the cossack decision making "debates"); comments on the multicultural nation that was Poland in the 16th and 17th centuries; insights like the combination of shock lancers like the Hussards and the missile capabilities of the Tatars combining Western and Eastern tactical and weapon systems, that would influence, for example, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden decision to abandon the caracole and (re)introduce the naked blade charge, etc.

A truly great book that easily and competently introduces you to the subject. The Angus McBride plates are very good (although with some minor mistakes that the author corrects in the comments section).