Hello,
I'm dipping my toes into the Napoleonic era, a little anxiously, and am looking to pick up a good, solid, detailed but readable book on how the armies of the period actually fought in battle - I have seen recommended generally books by Muir, Nosworthy, Nafziger and Rothenberg (there are probably others). What do you you good people think is a good one to start with?
Mike H
Have you looked at the Ospreys? They're a good starting point.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iWcAAOSw0ftmQU7J/s-l960.webp)(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/J0UAAOSwOrpnWwgG/s-l960.webp)(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/eEUAAOSwy4Bm-8W5/s-l960.webp)
(There's more than these 3.)
My "go to's" are Nosworthy and Rothenberg.
Yes, I spotted those - but I was hoping for something comprehensive that might cost less than buying three or more of those, especially since I don't yet know what sort of Napoleonic games (nation or sub-period) I may end up dabbling in.
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/art-of-warfare-in-the-age-of-napoleon-book-gunther-rothenberg-9781862273818?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvP-6BhDyARIsAJ3uv7b9gTNP_PJlEfouD7ibsWVV1L-8x7lxr5Hcw76uW2lsZ2d7PaUIsg0aAlnoEALw_wcB&sku=GOR004882053 £15.30
(https://www.worldofbooks.com/cdn/shop/files/1862273812.jpg?v=1718401889&width=493)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Tactics-Napoleon-His-Enemies/dp/0094772401 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Tactics-Napoleon-His-Enemies/dp/0094772401)
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/714L5RMI+DL._SY385_.jpg)
£14.99
So they're better than the Nafziger and Muir books? If you were to buy one of the two - Nosworthy and Rothenberg - which would you buy :-)
Mike
I'm reading the Muir at the moment. Lot's of experiential stuff so far.
Nosworthy gets cited in most of the sources I've read. It's more detailed about actual tactics. Rothenberg covers a much wider range of subjects.
Nafzinger's "Imperial Bayonets" is actually excellent as well. Lots of diagrams and discussions of "firing systems"
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91gKKfUtodL._SY385_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Imperial-Bayonets-Napoleonic-Contemporary-Regulations/dp/1914059581/ref=asc_df_1914059581?mcid=d984af4835ea3202a1ddd307f560bfed&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697166214675&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4877243696526104877&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046501&hvtargid=pla-1245444150426&psc=1&gad_source=1 £19.50
If I understand you aright, I'd go for Nosworthy. It's a chunky volume at about 500 pages, but an easy enough read - or Nazfinger at 300 pages, and not as analytical.
Enjoy!
Thanks - as for understanding me, even I sometimes have to grasp uncertainly at my own meaning. Words can be fugitive things - and thoughts even more so.
Just been doing some post Christmas book browsing.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1862273812/ref=pe_19525971_1228945261_em_2p_0_lm (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1862273812/ref=pe_19525971_1228945261_em_2p_0_lm)
I see the Rothenberg is on sale at Amazon- £13.79.
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/art-of-warfare-in-the-age-of-napoleon-book-gunther-e-rothenberg-9780253202604?price=10.90 (https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/art-of-warfare-in-the-age-of-napoleon-book-gunther-e-rothenberg-9780253202604?price=10.90) World of Books has a 2nd hand copy for £10.90.
Several of the Rothenburg books on ebay for under a fiver.