Good Books

[Hosakawa Tito]

I've still got some X-mas gift cards for Borders Books and would like some book ideas on the medieval and rennaisance periods in Europe and the Middle East.

I found one today, though it deals more from 1500's to 1950's. It has an intriguing title," How the Scots Invented the Modern World." authored by Arthur Herman, published by Three Rivers Press www.randomhouse.com . I can't wait to crack into it.

[deejayvee]

What subjects in particular are you interested in?

[Knight_Yellow]

well just incase u decide u need a change from medieval weaponry try one of my favs. (there all sci-fi)


The warhammer 40k "guants ghosts" series
the series follows the tanith, a company of human soldiers fighting against the forces of chaos in several diff battles. so good i often re-read them and do 150 page stints at a time.
(i know i know but i only read the books)

and try "Enders Game": basicly written before aliens or independance day etc. so it doesnt go into horror as sutch but it follows the childhood a young genius who is recruited by the military to help devise tactics against mankinds enemy.
(its actualy vry good, written for adults)

PS. u dont need to be a sci-fi fan to like these.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Well deejayvee I've read quite a bit about Western Europe, but very little on the Middle East or Eastern Europe histories during the time frame. I'd like to read about the Turkish/Ottoman empire, Greek States, Baltic Territories, most subjects not readily covered by my "western" education. I like histories that cover the social and political evolution too, not just the militaristic history.
I was just curious if any who frequent this forum can recommend any authors or titles on these subjects.

Thanks Knight Yellow, I'm not a big fan of sci-fi, but I'll give it a look. I think this book I'm starting now on the Scots would be right up your alley.

[deejayvee]

Off the top of my head I can highly recommend John Julius Norwich's Short History of Byzantium. It's a slightly condensed version of his 3 Byzantium books: "Byzantium: The Early Centuries"; "Byzantium: The Apogee"; and "Byzantium: The Decline and Fall".

I'll post some more later if you like. I'm at work now and not near my books.

[ShadesWolf]

Any book on the Crusades would be a good addition.

If it was a good version you would find it covered

Byzantine
Turkish
and the reconquest of spain

The one I have is 'Atlas of the Crusades' by Angus Konstam ISBN 190288602x

Also another good book is 'The Medieval Fortress' by Kaufmann ISBN 1853674559

This book cover castles and has section on eastern europe, including Russia, Poland and the Mongol invasion. As well as Byzantine, Muslim section. It is a good general book on castles.

And finally two more good general book on the era....

'Medieval Warfare' by Maurice Keen Oxford Uni press CN 4446

'Cambridge Atlas Warfare 768 – 1487' N Hooper ISBN 0521440491

All these books are available at Amazon, so I would expect that the other place would also have them.

[Basileus]

Quote[/b] (deejayvee @ Jan. 16 2003,00:56)]Off the top of my head I can highly recommend John Julius Norwich's Short History of Byzantium. It's a slightly condensed version of his 3 Byzantium books: "Byzantium: The Early Centuries"; "Byzantium: The Apogee"; and "Byzantium: The Decline and Fall".

I'll post some more later if you like. I'm at work now and not near my books.
Got all three of them myself great books indeed i realy recomend them aswell http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Forward Observer]

I just recently picked up on sale a book titled

The Knight Triumphant by Stephan Turnbull. Yes, it's the same Turnbull who wrote all of the Samurai books and was a historical advisor on Shogun Total War.

This is the second book of a trilogy about the early, high, and late middle ages. These are basically a rewriting of an earlier book of his called the Book of the Medieval Knight but it has been split into 3 books which include new material, updated illustrations, plus new photographs of castles, battle sites, and original or reproduction equipment.

It covers about 170 years starting in 1315, so it will include Edward and the Scots, Crecy, Poitiers,Henry V and Agincourt, the Hundred years war, Joan De Arc,and also the German Crusade against Lithuania.

It is not real heavy reading and gives a good overview of the battles, the participants, and the lifestyles of the knight.

I plan of getting the others when they are published and available in the states.

Edited to correct the spelling of Turnbull

[ShadesWolf]

This is a good book

And a very good section on the 100 year war. I also had this as a free gift from my book club.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Thanks for all your help. I've only been to this particular bookstore once, and it is the biggest I've ever seen. I could spend days browsing in the place, and it is nice to have some good ideas before I enter. The number of choices can be overwhelming in this store. We went X-mas shopping here, and the wife had to drag me out. She caught me in the lounge drinking a cappuccino with books for me. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Foreign Devil]

"Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Expeirence", by Micheal Prestwich.

I came across this during a visit to borders not to long ago. Bought it with my Xmas gift card, actually http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif . I'ts a fascinating read for any fan of this game. Especially the chapter on seiges.

[Papewaio]

Quote[/b] (Hosakawa Tito @ Jan. 17 2003,18:07)]Thanks for all your help. I've only been to this particular bookstore once, and it is the biggest I've ever seen. I could spend days browsing in the place, and it is nice to have some good ideas before I enter. The number of choices can be overwhelming in this store. We went X-mas shopping here, and the wife had to drag me out. She caught me in the lounge drinking a cappuccino with books for me. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif
I can understand that we have severl Borders Bookstores and one branch of a Japanese bookstore in Sydney that is about as large as a supermarket. Full range of books in English with sections in Japanese and Chinese. Its called Kinokuniya. So when Wasabi and I are in the city we go for some Kino-therapy.

[Alrowan]

hmm.. you want books on medieval times...

Sara Douglass' Crucible series is good

Stephen Lawhead:
Byzantium

Celtic Crusades saga: (a very good series)
Iron lance
Black Rood
Mystic Rose

there is a few

[Foreign Devil]

If your interested in the Irish, theres always "How the Irish Saved Western Civilization". It's either called that, or something very similar. I'm told its quite interesting. Of course, it was one of my fellow Irishmen who told me. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Acronym]

Very good book is Carnage and Culture by Victor Davis Hanson. It covers battles from ancient greece, through the dark ages, to vietnam. It covers a wide scope but it's a good book in explaining why western military and culture has dominated over thousands of years.

[deejayvee]

Quote[/b] (Forward Observer @ Jan. 17 2003,01:34)]I just recently picked up on sale a book titled

The Knight Triumphant by Stephan Trumbull. Yes, it's the same Trumbull who wrote all of the Samurai books and was a historical advisor on Shogun Total War.

This is the second book of a trilogy about the early, high, and late middle ages. These are basically a rewriting of an earlier book of his called the Book of the Medieval Knight but it has been split into 3 books which include new material, updated illustrations, plus new photographs of castles, battle sites, and original or reproduction equipment.
Stephen Turnbull was a historical advisor to Shogun? I quite enjoyed the Book of the Medieval Knight, so that's good to hear. I also read a very good article by him once about Chivalry being the western equivalent to Bushido.

Pape,

Where are those bookstores in Sydney you mentioned? I usually go to Abbey's Bookshop or to Napoleon's Bookshop.

[Kas]

Found this on my old website...Osprey books are really cool, to the point stunning colour plates. A book (or several) on most historical warfare periods.

check this link (http://www.kaneyashi.com/blad10a.htm) or go directly to Osprey (http://www.ospreypublishing.com/)

Kas http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[deejayvee]

Quote[/b] (kaneyashi @ Jan. 19 2003,19:19)]Found this on my old website...Osprey books are really cool, to the point stunning colour plates. A book (or several) on most historical warfare periods.
Yes I love the Osprey books. Especially the artwork by Angus McBride. Have you seen the book "Warriors & Warlords - The Art of Angus McBride"? Unlike the regular Osprey books, it's not particulary informative reading but the pictures are stunning.

[ShadesWolf]

I have a number of Osprey books and find them a good read.

The campaign series is a very good example, I have Agincourt and the Crecy/ Poitiers campaigns. They have a lot of good battle pictures and data.

I also have

El Cid and the Reconquesta
French Armies of the 100 years war
Byzantine (The late period)
The Moors
and a few other.

I find they are a nice conpact edition, and give a good introduction to a subject. They are also fairly cheap.

[Forward Observer]

Quote[/b] (deejayvee @ Jan. 19 2003,23:02)]Yes I love the Osprey books. Especially the artwork by Angus McBride. Have you seen the book "Warriors & Warlords - The Art of Angus McBride"? Unlike the regular Osprey books, it's not particulary informative reading but the pictures are stunning.
I goofed and mispelled Turnbull's name as Trumbull.
It's my dyslexia popping up again, but I am K.O. now.

Anyway, if you check the credits of Shogun, you will find Turnbull's name listed. I was surprised that he wasn't used for MTW, but then I guess that sort of information would be readily available for a development group based in the UK.

I didn't know that he also did several of the Osprey books until I had stumbled across his website with several of his book links to Amazon.com.

Here is his book link page with the book I mentioned plus many of his others. I also have his book called The Samurai Source Book. It is about as close to an encyclopedia of all things Samurai as you can get---a fantastic and very complete reference.

http://freespace.virgin.net/stephen.turnbull/frameset_military.html

I'll have to keep my eye out for the Angus McBride book.

Cheers

[Foreign Devil]

Quote[/b] (ShadesWolf @ Jan. 20 2003,00:06)]I have a number of Osprey books and find them a good read.

The campaign series is a very good example, I have Agincourt and the Crecy/ Poitiers campaigns. They have a lot of good battle pictures and data.

I also have

El Cid and the Reconquesta
French Armies of the 100 years war
Byzantine (The late period)
The Moors
and a few other.

I find they are a nice conpact edition, and give a good introduction to a subject. They are also fairly cheap.
There's one about the fall of Constantinople, too. I don't have it, but I've seen it in bookstores.

[Kas]

Geeh? I'm not the only guy who loves those Osprey books.

The Samurai Sourcebook is indeed a must Also from Turnbull: Samurai Warfare (Arms & Armour series by Cassell & Co)

Kas http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ShadesWolf]

Yes I did not the constantinople one.

I havent brought it yet http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[The Marcher Lord]

Yeah the Osprey books have to be the most comprehensive military series and they are adding new titles every month. Turnbull has a new volume out in the series in March this year on The Ninja, he also recently published one on Samurai Heraldry. The European medieval titles are numerous.

I used to have a copy of David Nicolle's Medieval Warfare Sourcebook which was very comprehensive and in two volumes - Europe and The East

[Hosakawa Tito]

I go to the store on saturday. Thank you all for the great ideas. Those Osprey books sound pretty good. I have the Samurai Sourcebook and it is excellent. How the Irish saved Western Civilization I also have. I loaned it out to my smart a$$ brother-in-law when he made disparaging remarks, " What have the Irish ever done?", he loves the Romans, sure was sweet to hand him that book and say," You wouldn't know a damn thing about your precious Romans if it wasn't for the Irish monks." Read'em and weep http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

I have 60$ to spend in gift cards. I wonder how many of these I can get?

[Kas]

5 or 6

Kas http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif