Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Books => Topic started by: fsn on 09 May 2018, 07:26:27 AM

Title: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: fsn on 09 May 2018, 07:26:27 AM
Gentlemen.

Amazon is tempting me with a range of e-books on CD rom (which is a delightfully 1990's concept) about the armies of the Napoleonic wars. There's Bavaria and Portugal and the Polish Legions and ever so many more. I'm tempted to dip my toe in the water, as each one is only £4.99.

However, I thought I'd ask if any of you gentlemen had tried any of these books, and what was your experience?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rheinbund-Contingents-1806-1814-Two/dp/B0102GCPTU/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_31 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rheinbund-Contingents-1806-1814-Two/dp/B0102GCPTU/ref=pd_ys_ir_all_31)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Army-Kingdom-Sweden-1802-1814-Revised/dp/B015YCILNQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525846985&sr=1-7 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Army-Kingdom-Sweden-1802-1814-Revised/dp/B015YCILNQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525846985&sr=1-7)

Thank you.
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: Ben Waterhouse on 09 May 2018, 11:03:40 AM
I've got a number of these, first class solid information.
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: fsn on 09 May 2018, 11:28:34 AM
Thank you.

I might essay the Bavarians.

I have a thing for Cornflower Blue.  :-[
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 09 May 2018, 01:34:51 PM
So tempting a project
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: Glorfindel on 09 May 2018, 03:02:15 PM
I've slowly collected them all.   A comprehensive, colourful
and very cheap source of information.

I tend to buy them direct from the Rawkins site :

http://www.thehistorybookman.webeden.co.uk/ (http://www.thehistorybookman.webeden.co.uk/)


As an example, the e-book covering the Austrian army is
43MB in size, 445 pages long and covers every branch of
the army in great detail.   You are not going to get that
for £4.99 anywhere else.

If you put off by the CD, there is now an option to
download the e-books.

I understand that the decision was taken to produce this
information as an e-book (rather than hard copy) to make
them available at a very low price.

Sorry to sound like a fan boy but they are well worth price.


Phil
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: fsn on 09 May 2018, 04:10:36 PM
Quote from: Glorfindel on 09 May 2018, 03:02:15 PM
I've slowly collected them all.   A comprehensive, colourful
and very cheap source of information.

I tend to buy them direct from the Rawkins site :

http://www.thehistorybookman.webeden.co.uk/ (http://www.thehistorybookman.webeden.co.uk/)


As an example, the e-book covering the Austrian army is
43MB in size, 445 pages long and covers every branch of
the army in great detail.   You are not going to get that
for £4.99 anywhere else.

If you put off by the CD, there is now an option to
download the e-books.

I understand that the decision was taken to produce this
information as an e-book (rather than hard copy) to make
them available at a very low price.

Sorry to sound like a fan boy but they are well worth price.

That's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to hear.

I may have to forgo some more transient pleasures and fork out for a couple.  :D

Downloading e-books sounds a very C21 thing to do!

Thank you.
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: fsn on 12 May 2018, 07:55:44 PM
@Glorfindel

I bought the Austro-Hungarian and Bavarian ones today.

At first skimming, very impressive.
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: sultanbev on 11 October 2018, 06:54:44 PM
I've been collecting the Rawkins ebooks on CD, getting them direct, then getting my local print firm to print them out in A4 with spiral binding. Costs about £20 but they come out fantastic, and much better for referring to than on a computer screen, especially when painting figures.

Mark
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: Glorfindel on 11 October 2018, 07:41:28 PM
>>..then getting my local print firm to print them out in A4 with spiral binding

Thats a really good idea - makes the information much more accessible.


Phil
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: Zippee on 11 October 2018, 09:19:11 PM
Rawkins is an excellent resource but he does repeat some old fallacies, so don't treat him as infallible.

Back in the 80s his works were the backbone of wargaming research and generally have aged very well, just be aware they aren't reflecting the latest research.

By no means a reason not to buy - they will be a solid library, just don't treat as gospel.

I'm tempted and I already have them in teh original sogtback and re-edited PDF.
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: sultanbev on 11 October 2018, 09:28:40 PM
Interesting, yes, I did note that the 3rd edition of the Swedish book has missed info from Between the Imperial Eagles which shows that by 1814 many regiments had four battalions, and shows details on when flags were issued.

Mark
Title: Re: NApoleonic e-book CDRoms
Post by: Chad on 11 October 2018, 10:36:59 PM
zippee

The Austrian information has been considerably updated and the Saxon edition is excellent. Just waiting the Prussian edition.