The Time Period of Empire Total War

[Quickening]

In my opinion Empire: Total War is the best Total War game so far. My problem is that I just don't have much interest in the time period mainly due to the fact that I don't know too much about it. I'd absolutely love a Rome 2 or Medieval 3 in this format. Until then, could anyone recommend me any material, books, films or documentaries about the time period of Empire: Total War so that I can learn more about it?

[Fisherking]

There must be a library’s worth of books written on almost ever decade from 1700 to 1825 (when the American campaign ends). It runs from the reign of William and Mary to the Regency Period.

Britain was at war for about 60 of the 100 year just with France. That doesn’t include wars with Spain, The Netherlands, Denmark, and most everyone else. France was at war with all of the rest of Europe at one time or another.

In fiction it is the time of Sharpe and Hornblower and all the rest. If men are fighting with muskets it was written about this time. Even Jane Austin was at the end of it, if you like that sort of thing.

There are wars on top of wars and most have several names to chose form.

There were the Jacobite rebellions, a few Irish rebellions and on and on. The Highland clearances, Massacre of Glencoe, Robert Roy MacGregor...it just keeps going.

It is just hard to give you one or two titles!

[AussieGiant]

It's one of my favourite times in history for all the reasons FK mentioned.

I personally like the period because cavalry were still relevant on the battle field and played an important part in the tactics of the day.

It was to be the last time that happened before repeating rifles, and other such military tactics marginalised them to bit part players.

It really was a classic period of warfare and chivalry.

[pevergreen]

ROMANS!

I still know nothing about the time period.

But I mean...how could you go past the romans. Thoes guys practically invented roads.

[Marquis of Roland]

I just ordered a copy of Waterloo by Sergei Bondarchuk. I heard it's a great movie and read that they got about 15,000 Red Army guys as extras. That sounded promising. Not easy to find in U.S. I must say.

I liked Last of the Mohicans for the American part of the Seven Years War. The costumes/uniforms in that film were great.

[Sheogorath]

There really isn't much 18th century fiction or historical documentation around. Most I've encountered is centered on the Napoleonic era/19th century.

There's a few good books on Peter the Great around, though. They're usually pretty good.

Wikipedia's a good starting point as well, if you just want a rough view.

[Durallan]

its not completely historical, but you DEFINETLY must get the Hornblower movie series that they did awhile back. It makes you want to play the english, build a navy, and fight the republican frogs!

http://www.itv.com/ClassicTVshows/perioddrama/hornblower/default.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129686/

[batemonkey]

Hi

I set up a thread before the game came out for people to list their book choices for empire:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=106676


cheers

Alex