Osprey books

[edyzmedieval]

Hey guyz... I wanna order some Osprey books but I've seen that they have in average 60 pages!!!!

So, I want some info from those who have the following books:

German Medieval Armies 1000–1300
Bannockburn 1314
Knights Templar 1120 - 1312
Walls of Constantinople
Constantinople 1453
Byzantine Armies 1168 - 1461

How are they???

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

German Medieval Armies 1000–1300: Good info , Decent plates done by Graham Turner

Bannockburn 1314: Very good campaign book, excellent plates by Graham Turner

Knights Templar 1120 - 1312: Good and informative, ok plates by Wayne reynolds

Walls of Constantinople: A good background on the history of the city and its defences, with very small but enjoyable plates such as the repulse of an Turkish attack when the Janissaries see an image of a saint giving aid to the defenders.

Constantinople 1453: One of the best in the campaign series, good plates by christa hook especially that of constantines last stand

Byzantine Armies 1168 - 1461: Good book particularly on the mercenary element in the Byzantine armies, great plates by Angus Mcbride

I would say though that there are much better books in the osprey series

[edyzmedieval]

Thanks BKB...

I ordered 3 books: Constantinople 1453 , Walls of Constantinople and Tanneburg 1410. I ordered the larger ones because I cannot understand why many books have 48 or 64 pages!!!Why?!

Can you tell me what are plates??? And also, what other books do you reccomend???

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

The plates are the colour illustrations in the books. Artists such as Angus Mcbride, Graham Turner and Wayne Reynolds are my favourites especially Mcbride. Quite a few images of his work has been put up my me in the first few pages of the Osprey Thread.


Other books I would recommend are:


Border Reivers
The Vikings
The Normans
The Buccanners
Pirates
The Mongols
Hungary and the Fall of Eastern Europe

There are so many more i can't put them all down mate, my collection is huge(see osprey thread)

[edyzmedieval]

I've seen it mate... It's huge!!! Damn very impressive!!!!

But the books are more with illustrations???Or text???? And what's the size of a page???(sorry with these questions, I curious to find out because I hardly convinced my dad to buy them because they are small books)

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

The number of plates vary. Men At Arms have 8, Warrior normally have an average of 10, sometimes 12 though it is now only 8. Elite used to have 12, but now also have only 8. Campaign books normally have about 4 or 5 on average. New Vanguard have 6-8, while Fortress books have about 5-6 also. Series like Essential Histories have no plates at all, and are normally cheaper. The books are largely dominated by texts but there are also diagrams and photos depending on the content.

Oh and could a mod move this to the Osprey thread? Thanks.

[edyzmedieval]

Thanks for the info BKB... I hope some time I will have a huge collection of Osprey books like you!!

[Steppe Merc]

The Byzantine one is quite good... very nice pics, easily the best of the rest of the Byzantine Osprey books I've read.

[Byzantine Prince]

I'm not sure they are worth it. 20-30$ for a sixty page pamphlet? I'de rather buy a real book, without imaginery illustrations, lol. But do what you like mate, it's your money, well... your dad's.

[edyzmedieval]

Pamphlet???? Why?!

Imaginary illustrations???

I'm confused...BKB please sort this out!!!

[sharrukin]

Pamphlet???? Why?!

Imaginary illustrations???

I'm confused...BKB please sort this out!!!

There's nothing imaginary about the illustrations as they are based on archeological finds and the research in the books are usually very good. A few are not as well done but that applies to any research paper or library you care to name.

They are usually small books and I would be happy to have them expanded but they are all that is readily available for 20-30 dollars. To find better books can very quickly become quite expensive and there is no guarentee they will be any better.

So for my money they are a good investment in real history. The sources listed for the Osprey series may be the books you want to purchase if you find an interest in the subject.

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

The illustrations are hardly imaginary in most cases - they are based on historical sources, stories and findings, including artworks from the age and armour. For example, pieces like the Bayeux Tapestry, which show Norman Cavalryman throwing javelins, inspire depictions of Hastings to feature that also. Why would respected historians and artists make stuff up? There's no point in that. You are completely dismissing the amount of research that must go into these paintings. Short of having a time machine, of course they aren't 100% accurate recreations of battles! What did you expect BP? They may not be completely authentic, but we, including you, will never know, and this is the best we're ever going to get for allowing us to see how battles in the past played out, how warriors lived, fought and looked and exactly what part castles and siege equipment played in proceedings.

Furthermore, what did these men look like then BP? You got any better suggestions? What do you think modders like the EB team used? I know I certainly could not have made my mod without the visual guides that are these books. They may not be as academic as some would like, but these books allow us an insight into many different areas, enabling us to learn about and more importantly SEE what went on in the past. I think there is a certain snobbery geared at Osprey books due to their smallish size and illustrative format, but IMO this is pure ignorance.

EdyzMedieval, don't panic. Stick to a subject you like, or wish to learn more about, and good artists, like those I mentioned (especially McBride), and you'll be fine. Have a look through the Osprey thread to see the kind of artwork you can expect, and check out their site here:

Osprey

Some of the more recent works feature sample plates and extracts so you can get a feel for them before you decide to buy.

[Meneldil]

What did you expect BP?

He expected you to answer in that way and to annoy you a bit, just for the fun of it ^^

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Yep, I thought that too. I was gonna let in lie but decided not to when Edyz wanted guidance.

[Steppe Merc]

Osprey is excellent. Sometimes the colors are questionable, but it's deffinetly worth it.

[edyzmedieval]

Thanks BKB and all the guyz for the info...

I just ordered 3 books, about Wednesday or Thursday they are supposed to arrive and then I'll tell you what I think of the Osprey books....

Nevertheless, I stick to my favourite history subject: The Medieval History.
All the books I ordered are about the Medieval world....

[Ser Clegane]

So for my money they are a good investment in real history. The sources listed for the Osprey series may be the books you want to purchase if you find an interest in the subject.

You nailed it. IMHO the Osprey books a a nice, reasonable priced way to start into a subject and are doing a very good job in sparking the interest in certain periods, subjects.

Nobody claims that Osprey books should be the only source if you really want to get into a subject, but for certain purposes (as mentioned e.g., by BKB) and to get an overview they are a very good choice.

[ShadesWolf]

And also, what other books do you reccomend

It is a question of what are your interests. My are The Hundred Years war, so most of my Osprey library are based on that subject. So I am biased.

[Incongruous]

Osprey books are good for a bit of "light reading", but beyond that they are found wanting. Get a real book, but calling Osprey books pamphlets is a bit harsh.
I beleive that the EB team would have used primary texts mainly like all good historians, things such as Polybus (sp?), and Plutarch's lives.