Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Books => Topic started by: old smokie on 22 March 2015, 07:11:29 PM

Title: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: old smokie on 22 March 2015, 07:11:29 PM
Looking for advice for a friend who is a newbie to wargaming and he wants to start out with Napoleonics. =O

What are the best books on Waterloo for accuracy of information and unit strengths etc to have . I have my own opinions but looking for advice from others who may be more knowledgeable than me  :) and I know this is a bit of minefield.

TIA
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: Fenton on 22 March 2015, 07:22:12 PM
This one is good

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/019516895X/thedaibea-20/?tag=skim0x85426-21
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: fsn on 22 March 2015, 07:23:01 PM
Blandford's "Uniforms at Waterloo".

Lots of pretty pictures and an OOB at the back.

Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 22 March 2015, 07:24:28 PM
Osprey Waterloo in the campaign series is decent.

Wellington's Smallest Victory is useful and eye opening!
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: old smokie on 22 March 2015, 07:54:56 PM
@ Fenton

that one's an ACW book ?
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: Fenton on 22 March 2015, 07:56:55 PM
Quote from: old smokie on 22 March 2015, 07:54:56 PM
@ Fenton

that one's an ACW book ?

Exactly  :D
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: Fenton on 22 March 2015, 07:58:35 PM
I did enjoy 4 days in June by Iain Gale though. I dont know a lot about the period but it was a decent read
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: fsn on 22 March 2015, 07:59:49 PM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterloo-Near-Thing-Great-Battles/dp/1842127195/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427054355&sr=1-6&keywords=david+howarth
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterloo-Near-Thing-Great-Battles/dp/1842127195/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427054355&sr=1-6&keywords=david+howarth)

Very readable - David Howarth.
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: NTM on 22 March 2015, 09:07:58 PM
I'd recommend the Waterloo Companion as an excellent starting point
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: Rob on 22 March 2015, 09:33:38 PM
I cannot recomend this one enough.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterloo-Four-Changed-Europes-Destiny/dp/0349123012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427059074&sr=1-1&keywords=tim+clayton+waterloo (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterloo-Four-Changed-Europes-Destiny/dp/0349123012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427059074&sr=1-1&keywords=tim+clayton+waterloo)

Best of the latest Waterloo books. I  very good read covering the whole campaign with the best description of Ligny ever and all the facets of Waterloo that normally get little coverage such as Mouton's movements to attack the British left flank, the plancenoit fighting in detail, in all a brilliant read and a real page turner.

For OOB numbers and uniform details it can all be had for free here:
http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/organigrammeFR.php (http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/organigrammeFR.php)

Cheers, Rob  :)

Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: WeeWars on 23 March 2015, 01:38:01 AM
Without a doubt, for the whole caboodle - pictures, photographs, organisation, uniforms, equipment, blow by blow account with maps, debate and what-ifs - Adkin's Waterloo Companion, a wargamer's treasury.
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: Westmarcher on 23 March 2015, 12:34:03 PM
Agree. The Waterloo Companion is a treasure (and pricey - but worth it) and you should try to acquire it. However, I feel you need to pair it with a good "start to finish" account of the battle (or even the whole campaign) to get the most out of it. 
Title: Re: Best books on Waterloo Campaign
Post by: NTM on 23 March 2015, 05:31:20 PM
Quote from: Rob on 22 March 2015, 09:33:38 PM

For OOB numbers and uniform details it can all be had for free here:
http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/organigrammeFR.php (http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/organigrammeFR.php)




I would not rely too heavily on that website. It is in part based on outdated incorrect info e.g showing prussian reservists in British supplied uniforms which had by that time been replaced by regulation items or adapted to look like them.