Official Osprey thread

Here's some from the S&PRA books. These obviously are not my scans:

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...&id=1811959314

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144849

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144851

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144860

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144864

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144869

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144885

These are Romans, but this must be from these books as I don't recall seeing them elsewhere. I don't think they're from Roman Republican Army, infact I'm quite certain, though if I'm wrong I'm sorry.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index...post&id=144897

Each book has 8 plates, so that's 16 of which I've probably only seen about half, most of the Seleucid ones. Meneldil, was there any more in the links you sent me?

EDIT: Sorry but the pics won't directly load up, had to link them.

I don't think so, though I think I've seen some other plates showing seleucids, but from other books.

If you have time, I'd like to have a look at plates from Armies of Bactria, if there's anything that takes place between 323 and 30 BC

Also, is the Army of the Timurids (or what is the book's name) any good ? The cover looks awesome, and I'm seriously thinking about ordering it, even if it's not a dark age osprey.

The Timurids Osprey book is good. I'd definitely recommend it. No real stand-out pictures though.

The Timurid plates are pretty good, about as good as Angus can get (sorry BKB ~;)). But the text is definately what you should look at -- it gives a lot of information on warfare of the time. Only gripe is the lack of descriptions of campaigns and battles.

I can't choose -- Late Byzantine Armies, Muslim Conquest, or Ottoman Armies 1300 - 1700? What is the best according to you guys?



~Wiz

Late Byzantine Armies for me.

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The Timurid plates are pretty good, about as good as Angus can get (sorry BKB )

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As I said, the plates aren't great in it, so its extremely, extremely far from as good as Angus gets I can safely say.

Actually I find them quite good for Angus's doing... especially the first one. Better than his offerings in the Seleucid & Ptolemaics books. But that's my opinion. Luckily there's no State Art Department to tell me what to like and what not to like. ~;)



~Wiz

Late Byzantine Armies is very good if you mean Osprey series.

Well then, my decision is made. Thanks ~:)



~Wiz

I have just started my collection buying Marston Moor 1644 (another historical battle for P&M TW ~D ). ~:cheers:

I have ordered Polish Armies 1569-1696 ( both volumes) and after I get these I am going to buy another (possibly less) 15 books - I am particulary interested in the XVI-XVIIth century, XVI-XVIIth century Japan and 2nd WW, but honestly I won't need much related to the third subject. ~D

Cheers ! :charge: :charge:

The Achaemenid Persian Army arrived today. Apart from the ones you've seen, I'd say my favourite pic is the one of Persian Auxilliaries, including an Indian Infantryman and an Egyptian Marine. Also got Siege Warfare in the Roman World, which is good and Samurai Commanders 1, which is pretty poor IMO.

Should have finished the Ancient/Medieval/Renaissance books by August!

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

The Achaemenid Persian Army arrived today. Apart from the ones you've seen, I'd say my favourite pic is the one of Persian Auxilliaries, including an Indian Infantryman and an Egyptian Marine. Also got Siege Warfare in the Roman World, which is good and Samurai Commanders 1, which is pretty poor IMO.

Should have finished the Ancient/Medieval/Renaissance books by August!

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How is the text information? Does it describe Persian armour in any detail and who used it? Does it go into any detail about the names for soldiery and such?

Could you post a picture of the indian infantrymen? Are they wearing the Antariya?

Is that a garment below the waist? If so, yes. The image is of Xerxes levies, and shows the two mentioned along with a Kappodocian Infantryman and an East Iranian Infantryman. Its very comprehensive, with many black and white small plates supplementing the coloured ones throughout. Unlike Osprey, each warrior gets a decent description and all in all these are better for Osprey for information. I'm sure you'd like it, but I haven't really had time to look at it yet. I'd wager its the best book on the Achaemenid Army you could buy.

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Is that a garment below the waist? If so, yes. The image is of Xerxes levies, and shows the two mentioned along with a Kappodocian Infantryman and an East Iranian Infantryman. Its very comprehensive, with many black and white small plates supplementing the coloured ones throughout. Unlike Osprey, each warrior gets a decent description and all in all these are better for Osprey for information. I'm sure you'd like it, but I haven't really had time to look at it yet. I'd wager its the best book on the Achaemenid Army you could buy.

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Well I have it on order if one is available. Cross my fingers. And yes the Antariya is a folded garment below the waist.

[I]Polish Winged Hussar 1500-1775 (Warrior) - V. Vuksic (WHO?)

BKB you probably know now, but here are some samples of his work

- http://pubwww.srce.hr/husar/ ~D


Anyway, I'd like to FINALLY get this book :charge:

Does anyone here have any osprey books on the eastern armies-japan or china. Can they post some scans here? Im curious about what they looked like. If not could you point me in the right place where i might find such scans or images?

:bow: Please :bow:

My word I'm really looking forward to Sassanian Elite Cavalry now! ~D

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/osp_...S7131SPR2S.JPG

I most certainly agree! ~:eek:



~Wiz

Ah so you do like Angus at heart! I knew you weren't totally devoid of taste! ~D ~:cheers:

And I just bought Seleucid and Ptolemaic Reformed Armies Volume 1: The Seleucid Army off an Amazon seller! A princely sum but half of my Holy Grail appears to be complete!

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Ah so you do like Angus at heart! I knew you weren't totally devoid of taste! ~D ~:cheers:

And I just bought Seleucid and Ptolemaic Reformed Armies Volume 1: The Seleucid Army off an Amazon seller! A princely sum but half of my Holy Grail appears to be complete!

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can you please post the plates from this book!

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Ah so you do like Angus at heart! I knew you weren't totally devoid of taste! ~D ~:cheers:

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I swear, it's just my love of everything Sassanid Persian! ~;) ~:cheers:



~Wiz

Same! ~D
Oh... pretty... I'm deffinetly gonna get that one once it comes out!

Acre, with plates by Graham Turner, is looking pretty tasty also:

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/osp_...rs/S8626AL.JPG

Just got The Seleucid Army today. I'll try and post pics if I can, but there's only two plates you haven't seen. Its excellent but a bit anti-climatic being as I've already seen 6 of the plates. However, I've only seen two at the most of The Ptolemaic Army so if I can get hold of that it should prove more satisfying. The two unseen drawings are Plate 2 showing Antiochus and some officials (not great) and Plate 8 which is much better, showing a Seleucid Horse Archer encountering two Parthian Horse Archers.

The Ptolemaic Army must have that one of the cavalryman riding alongside the Elephant. I'd link to the pics but all of them don't seem to work anymore. ~:confused:

Oh and Sharrukin (or anyone else for that matter), if you're ever really, and I mean really, desperate, you can get a copy of the Achaemenid Army here for a very princely sum indeed:

Abebooks Achaemenid Army Link

I paid about half that, and I'd only pay that much for the Ptolemaic Army. Its a lot of money but I just wanted to tell you that it is always available if you want it. Now if I KNEW where to find a copy of the Ptolemaic Army at least I could consider buying it! ~:cheers:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Just got The Seleucid Army today. I'll try and post pics if I can, but there's only two plates you haven't seen. Its excellent but a bit anti-climatic being as I've already seen 6 of the plates. However, I've only seen two at the most of The Ptolemaic Army so if I can get hold of that it should prove more satisfying. The two unseen drawings are Plate 2 showing Antiochus and some officials (not great) and Plate 8 which is much better, showing a Seleucid Horse Archer encountering two Parthian Horse Archers.

The Ptolemaic Army must have that one of the cavalryman riding alongside the Elephant. I'd link to the pics but all of them don't seem to work anymore. ~:confused:

Oh and Sharrukin (or anyone else for that matter), if you're ever really, and I mean really, desperate, you can get a copy of the Achaemenid Army here for a very princely sum indeed:

Abebooks Achaemenid Army Link

I paid about half that, and I'd only pay that much for the Ptolemaic Army. Its a lot of money but I just wanted to tell you that it is always available if you want it. Now if I KNEW where to find a copy of the Ptolemaic Army at least I could consider buying it! ~:cheers:

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I am bidding on Ebay right now for 15 pounds British which is more than I want to pay for it but the link you have shows a price of 100+ dollars. That's pretty steep.

Its very steep I know, but I just thought I post it in case anyone was desperately looking for it. Good luck on the ebay one!

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Its very steep I know, but I just thought I post it in case anyone was desperately looking for it. Good luck on the ebay one!

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The Seleucid and Ptolemaic Reformed Armies, 168-145 BC: v. 1

Is this what you are looking for BTW.

Thanks the Achaemenid army is one which I very much want as the one done by Nick Secunda on the Persian Armies for Osprey was rather poorly done IMO. Too many purple pajama boys which I would guess is where CA got their concept for the Parthians in RTW.

Volume 2 I believe. Its the last book I really want plus I'll have completed the Montvert collection (Don't know about Justinian's Wars - could be anything).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Just got The Seleucid Army today. I'll try and post pics if I can, but there's only two plates you haven't seen. Its excellent but a bit anti-climatic being as I've already seen 6 of the plates. However, I've only seen two at the most of The Ptolemaic Army so if I can get hold of that it should prove more satisfying. The two unseen drawings are Plate 2 showing Antiochus and some officials (not great) and Plate 8 which is much better, showing a Seleucid Horse Archer encountering two Parthian Horse Archers.

The Ptolemaic Army must have that one of the cavalryman riding alongside the Elephant. I'd link to the pics but all of them don't seem to work anymore. ~:confused:

Oh and Sharrukin (or anyone else for that matter), if you're ever really, and I mean really, desperate, you can get a copy of the Achaemenid Army here for a very princely sum indeed:

Abebooks Achaemenid Army Link

I paid about half that, and I'd only pay that much for the Ptolemaic Army. Its a lot of money but I just wanted to tell you that it is always available if you want it. Now if I KNEW where to find a copy of the Ptolemaic Army at least I could consider buying it! ~:cheers:

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i seen only 5 plates from The Seleucid Army

http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216118
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216119
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216120
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216123
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216125

and i know about 2:
Plate 2 showing Antiochus and some officials (not great)
Plate 8 which is much better, showing a Seleucid Horse Archer encountering two Parthian Horse Archers.

you say you seen 6 plates ?(i only seen 5)
is one of those?

http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216126
http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=get&tp=216132

Those bottom two must be from The Ptolemaic Army. The sixth plate in question is the first one, oddly showing Roman Soldiers, presumably as a base to what they based their reforms on. I posted it a few pages back but now its gone. Its very good actually.

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Those bottom two must be from The Ptolemaic Army. The sixth plate in question is the first one, oddly showing Roman Soldiers, presumably as a base to what they based their reforms on. I posted it a few pages back but now its gone. Its very good actually.

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Thank you!

from a russian site

Seleucids from Battle of Magnesia (2 c. BC)
http://www.xlegio.ru/armies/shkrabo/seleuc2.jpg
1. From left to right:
heavily armed sarissophoros, thyreophoros, heavily armed sarissophoros, chariot-fighter(supposed)
http://www.xlegio.ru/armies/shkrabo/seleuc1.jpg
2. graeco bactrians(as subjects of Seleucids)
general(centre), arm-bearer(heavy cavalry), Galatian mercenary

Armies of Bactria

http://webpages.charter.net/marcajri...Nikonorov).jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/marcajri...s(nikorov).jpg

Yep the Bactrian ones are from the Montvert book. I told you all they weren't great!

BKB

I am searching for more information about Balcan & Venetian armies after 1480.

Can I expect to find anything really useful in Osprey books: Hungary and the Fall of Eastern Europe and in the one about Venetian Empire ?

I am especially interested in wars between Venetia and the Ottomans in the XVIIth century. :bow:

Regards Cegorach ~:cheers:

I'll have a browse and get back to you. :book:

Eumenes Kappodokian Bodyguard
Maccabean Heavy Cavalry
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...Bodyguardc.jpghttps://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...avycavalry.jpg

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I am searching for more information about Balcan & Venetian armies after 1480.

Can I expect to find anything really useful in Osprey books: Hungary and the Fall of Eastern Europe and in the one about Venetian Empire ?

I am especially interested in wars between Venetia and the Ottomans in the XVIIth century.

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The Hungarian one is quite good. I don't think it has much stuff after concering that particular period though...

From The Seleucid and Ptolemaic Reformed Armies, 168-145 BC: v. 2
3 new plates.

painted stelae depicting 'romanised' troops
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...aic/ptole3.jpg
Gallic/Gaesetae mercenairies + African
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...aic/ptole4.jpg
Tarentine light cavalry
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...aic/ptole5.jpg


could The Blind King of Bohemia post the 2 misssig plates from
The Seleucid and Ptolemaic Reformed Armies, 168-145 BC: v. 1?

a joint efort by gie, mic and Brennos

Great find! I love the 2nd and 3rd plates - not sure if I should have looked though as now only 3 will be new when I get the book (IF I get the book!). I'll get onto getting those pics ASAP, though I want to do it with my digital camera which is broken at the minute.

Hey BKB,

I have seen at Osprey that some books(Byzantine Armies 886-1168) are from 1979!!!!! Is that true????

Yep. They've been going for a while. Angus McBride, the artist for that book is 74 now. It was only from the late 80's when the artwork became more ambitious and frankly better.

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Originally Posted by gie

Eumenes Kappodokian Bodyguard
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...Bodyguardc.jpg

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Whats wrong with that plate? It's edited with another head and a xyston, right? The original was simply Persian cavalry, IIRC...



~Wiz

Good call.. I thought I had seen that pic before...

Looks like Osprey have got a couple of General Military compilation books lined up for the Autumn. The first is Rome and her Enemies, which I could have sworn has been done before. The author however is new and no artists are mentioned, so this could be an entirely new piece of work. If not, expect plates from any of the Rome's Enemies books, the Carthaginian Wars and other relevant material.

Rome and Her Enemies

Meanwhile we have a more straightforward and interesting compilation, The Aztecs and Conquistadores. Angus' disappointing work from the MAA title Conquistadores will feature along with Adam Hook's plates from Aztec Warrior and Conquistador, both from the Warrior series. It could however just be one of these, though both is more likely.

Aztecs and Conquistadores

I'm definitely not getting the second, and will make a decision on the first when I see it.

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Originally Posted by The Wizard

Whats wrong with that plate? It's edited with another head and a xyston, right? The original was simply Persian cavalry, IIRC...



~Wiz

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I have the picture but I didn't notice it until you pointed it out.

http://img71.echo.cx/img71/52/achaem...alry9ag.th.jpg

Eumenes Kappodokian Bodyguard
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...Bodyguardc.jpg

They are clearly the same. You have a good eye Wiz!

GOOD NEW ANGUS MCBRIDE OSPREY BOOK ALERT! ~D

Armies of Ivan the Terrible Amazon Link

Armies of Ivan the Terrible; Russian Armies 1505-1700! Written by David Nicolle and V Shpakovsky, I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully there will be a double page Siege of Kazan pic!

Plus another interesting one by Nic Fields and illustrated by Adam Hook, Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman 14-193AD! Adam Hook's a good artist so this should be a nice addition to the collection also.

Roman Auxiliary Cavalryman Amazon Link

1500-1700 Russia is really being spoiled! Russian Fortresses 1480-1682 is another one forthcoming for 2006 in the Fortress line up. I must say I do like Peter Dennis' artwork for this series:

Russian Fortresses Amazon Link

With Flodden also confirmed, 2006 is looking like a good year so far! I'd expect these in the first 6 months of 2006 though; January would be too good to be true.

does anyone was an old copy of the WRG publication of the Greek& Persian wars?

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Armies of Ivan the Terrible; Russian Armies 1505-1700! Written by David Nicolle and V Shpakovsky, I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully there will be a double page Siege of Kazan pic!

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Wow, Ivan lived 195 years? ~;)

Yeah well maybe they would have been better off going with Russian Armies 1500-1700. ~D

[QUOTE=The Blind King of Bohemia]GOOD NEW ANGUS MCBRIDE OSPREY BOOK ALERT! ~D

Armies of Ivan the Terrible Amazon Link

Armies of Ivan the Terrible; Russian Armies 1505-1700! Written by David Nicolle and V Shpakovsky, I'm looking forward to this. Hopefully there will be a double page Siege of Kazan pic!

GREAT !

I am looking forward to this 2. ~D ~:cheers:

My collection is growing - slowly ~:confused: - I have just received my 4th Osprey book ( the Lancknechts from M-a-a series), but I am waiting for 3 more books now ~:cheers:

Does anyone knows where is this image from?

https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...ers/scyth4.jpg

Montvert's Warriors of Eurasia I believe.

i have Montvert's Warriors of Eurasia in pdf format and it is not from this book!

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Originally Posted by gie

Does anyone knows where is this image from?

https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y1...ers/scyth4.jpg

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Some Russian publication or other. It's easily recognizable from the style and detail of the art.

The Osprey books on Russia look promising. Always an interesting subject, that.



~Wiz

Just checked and you're right. That is definitely the same artist though. Just had a look in Ancient Warrior also and alas no success. A mysterious one for sure!

Not sure how true this is considering the same guy got it wrong last time, but apparently Armies of Ivan the Terrible is the only book Angus will be illustrating for Osprey in 2006. Some guy I've never heard of is doing Flodden. Hope this is incorrect.

YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! The circle is now complete - just bought the Ptolemaic Army off EBay!

Good for you, BKB....

Unfortunately for me, I still haven't received my books... :(

I ordered it Sunday and they still haven't arrived!!!

How did you order them?

Online...how else????

I saw it go up this morning, gave the fella an email and offered him fifty for it (believe me it would have gone for much more than that) and he replied and said he'd put it up on buy it now and i grabbed it!

So I have at last aquired this rare and much sought book ~D

BKB, question:

From ospreypublishing.com, do the books come from America???
I'm asking because I also found ospreypublishing.co.uk......

Hopefully you can sort this out....

Oh Henry you weren't talking to me there were you! Sorry!

I think they come from England, though they may have a US warehouse. They normally take a couple of weeks to reach me, so don't hold your breath. Amazon tends to be a better bet, as in the UK at least they are cheaper and faster.

So this means I will wait long....

Foolosh of me to believe that it will be delivery time 3 days... At least that what it said on the site....

Are you in Romania? I think there may be a warehouse in America but Europe's will be from the UK I believe. It says they are dispatched 'within' three days, so they will take a while longer to arrive I'm afraid.

Yeah... I'm in Romania...

Thanks for the help, though....

i will take about 10 days to get to Rumania!

Hopefully they are gonna arrive until then....

Just got Ptolemaic Army....bit disappointed as there are only 6 Angus McBride plates. I think there's just one we haven't seen. Still, at least a year of searching is now finally over. ~:cheers:

Also, Polish Winged Hussar will be released in November. Rome and her Enemies is a new textual book with no previous material while Aztecs and Conquistadores features both Warrior books mentioned but not the MAA Conquistadors - instead is the Essential Histories title Spanish Invasion of Mexico.

Also, Polish Winged Hussar will be released in November. QUOTE]

Are you sure it was possible to order this book earlier... Is it 2nd edition or something ? ~:confused:

Nah it hasn't been released yet. Was that on Amazon? They often get release dates wrong. If its 4-6 weeks, they don't have it.

BKB,

What Medieval books do you recommend and with good plates???

Mmmm lets see......

The Vikings
The Normans
Attila and the Nomad Hordes
Arthur and the Anglo-Saxon Wars
Hungary and the Fall of Eastern Europe 1000–1568
Byzantine Armies AD 1118–1461
Armies of Medieval Russia 750–1250
Medieval Russian Armies 1250–1500
Italian Medieval Armies 1000–1300
Medieval Scandinavian Armies (1)
Medieval Scandinavian Armies (2)

All Angus McBride....you really can't go wrong with them, or indeed most of his work. These are some of the prime choices though in the Medieval genre.

Thanks BKB...You really are a great friend.... ~:) ~:cheers:

And from other illustrators????

I'm getting the Byzantine Armies 1118-1461

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Originally Posted by The Blind King of Bohemia

Nah it hasn't been released yet. Was that on Amazon? They often get release dates wrong. If its 4-6 weeks, they don't have it.

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It is possible, but I am ordering books from local bookshop and in their 'secret' data the release date was somewhere in July...

BUt if I have to wait, I will... ~:handball:

Hungary and the Fall of Eastern Europe 1000–1568

I thought it is 1000 - 1526...

According to the site its 1568.....

Ed I can but I'm not totally convinced about all of these artists. Graham Turner and Wayne Reynolds are good but the latter especially is an acquired taste. The Hooks are ok, while Gerry Embleton is IMO awful. Art is subjective of course.

Compilations are good and cheap.... that God's Warriors book looks good though you're bound to get it cheaper elsewhere.

Some suggestions (non-McBride):

Turner's campaign books
Italian Militiaman
Mongol Warrior
Peter Dennis' Fortress books
Constantinople 1453
Nicopolis 1396

Also forgot a couple of Angus' campaign books....Lake Peipus and Granada are very good.