Books to read before Empires is released

[Mount Suribachi]

Rifles by Mark Urban. Written mainly using the letters and diarys of 6 members of the regiment of Rifles, in a style very similar to Band Of Brothers, it follows them from formation in England, to fighting in the Peninsular War, to Waterloo. Because so much of the book quotes directly the words of the men themselves, it has a realism that is unforced. And if you ever read Sharpe and thought it was far-fetched, think again. Those boys were proper soldiers.

Also 1812, about Nappys invasion of Russia (and the retreat). Again, quotes a lot of primary sources, and the story of the retreat is very harrowing - human tragedy on an epic scale which only reinforces by lack of admiration for Napoleon.

[Laudon]

The military experience in the Age of Reason by Christopher Duffy. Excellent small book. Also, for readers more interested in Seven Years War all other Duffy´s works, especially his new By force of arms.

[batemonkey]

Some great suggestions so far, i've got my holiday leave coming up so i think a trip to the bookshop is in order.

Rifles sounds good, esp if i team it up with the Sharpe boxed set i've just bought ;)

[JR-]

Dreadnaught: Britain, Germany, and the coming of the Great War
Robert K. Massie

[batemonkey]

Rifles by Mark Urban. Written mainly using the letters and diarys of 6 members of the regiment of Rifles, in a style very similar to Band Of Brothers, it follows them from formation in England, to fighting in the Peninsular War, to Waterloo. Because so much of the book quotes directly the words of the men themselves, it has a realism that is unforced. And if you ever read Sharpe and thought it was far-fetched, think again. Those boys were proper soldiers.

Also 1812, about Nappys invasion of Russia (and the retreat). Again, quotes a lot of primary sources, and the story of the retreat is very harrowing - human tragedy on an epic scale which only reinforces by lack of admiration for Napoleon.

Finaly got round to getting Rifles, just over halfway through.

Bloomin' Brilliant!

It's like sharpe but better because it's all true.


Thanks for the heads up


Alex

[gardibolt]

Not a book, but I watched Sergei Bondarchuk's movie Waterloo (1970) last night, and I couldn't help but wonder how you would recreate that battle with ETW. Pretty spectacular for the pre-CGI era.

[USS Providence 1972]

Rifles by Mark Urban. Written mainly using the letters and diarys of 6 members of the regiment of Rifles, in a style very similar to Band Of Brothers, it follows them from formation in England, to fighting in the Peninsular War, to Waterloo. Because so much of the book quotes directly the words of the men themselves, it has a realism that is unforced. And if you ever read Sharpe and thought it was far-fetched, think again. Those boys were proper soldiers.

Also 1812, about Nappys invasion of Russia (and the retreat). Again, quotes a lot of primary sources, and the story of the retreat is very harrowing - human tragedy on an epic scale which only reinforces by lack of admiration for Napoleon.

I haven't read it but I understand one of the soldiers gets executed by his own comrades. What did he do?