Question about Osprey.

[Lusitani]

I am curious to know other members opinion about Osprey Publishing books.
I find them very interesting and most times a good introduction to specific themes. However i have heard some negative comments about them and i i would like to know some opinions. Thanks.

[russia almighty]

One of the problems is, some of the books were made on outdated material (see the one about Mycenaen Greece and the chariot lancers issue).


Other's, at least for the ancient era, is over dramatized armor, showing something a king wore as common equipment, ect.

[Hooahguy]

but they make excellent WWII books!

[Ibrahim]

terrible Makedonian books though, as it turns out...(abou's critue of KLA's work in the D:TW forum is still in my head). in other words: don't base all you know on those books. go get the actual stuff (or a picture or photo of it.). ask help from experts, and find as much as possible from them, or anywhere credible and reliable.

[Aaldaemon]

Osprey books might not be the apogee of scholarship, but they are quite an entertaining read to be sure. I own quite a few of them, and they make for great errr toilet reading... did I just say that? No, seriously take Osprey with a pinch of salt, but read them nonetheless, they're a decent introduction to military history - something to wet the appetite.

[Krusader]

Osprey books are really good as an entry point into military history I've found out. And you can't deny most plates look very nice.

But yes, the main criticism is the sources used for plates and sometimes shoddy research (according to some. In my opinion Osprey seems to do a good enough job with my most books I've read). Sometimes the sources are used very well, but other times they are taken from various sources and time periods. An as russia almighty says, equipment worn by Kings or high nobility are depicted on common soldiers in some illustrations.