Not a period I intend to game but I've recently been reading a bit about it. I can heartily reccommend Mrak Urban's 'Fusileers'. An account of the war through the eyes of the 23rd Foot. Very well written and an excellent read. Funny how the American foundation myth diverges so completely from the reality, perhaps they're still ashamed.
It is indeed an excellent book. As his other book, 'Rifles'
Agreed that it is a very good book.
I can only concur with the gentlemen above.
And, at the risk of becoming an echo, ditto 8)
Agreed. Also Redcoats and Rebels by Christopher Hibbert (whose The French Revolution is great too), is my favourite overview of the conflict, not to be confused with Hugh Bicheno's Rebels and Redcoats, which, while similarily is an overview takes a sceptical viewpoint of the foundation story approach.
With zeal and bayonets only is a must for any wargamer, its a detailed assessment of British infantry fighting methods.
Richard Ketchum's Saratoga is a good read, and while I've yet to read them I hear "A devil of a whipping" and "Long, Obstinate and Bloody" by Babbits are supposed to be really good.
Quote from: clibinarium on 08 April 2012, 12:18:55 AM
Agreed. Also Redcoats and Rebels by Christopher Hibbert (whose The French Revolution is great too), is my favourite overview of the conflict, not to be confused with Hugh Bicheno's Rebels and Redcoats, which, while similarily is an overview takes a sceptical viewpoint of the foundation story approach.
With zeal and bayonets only is a must for any wargamer, its a detailed assessment of British infantry fighting methods.
Richard Ketchum's Saratoga is a good read, and while I've yet to read them I hear "A devil of a whipping" and "Long, Obstinate and Bloody" by Babbits are supposed to be really good.
The Babits books are superbly researched - definitely worth buying - lots of stuff for a wargamer
Agree that the Bicheno book is disappointing - its very readable but his anti American bias is too obvious and spoils his argument. It's also poorly referenced which at times is frustrating - I remember he made a claim that the British found hidden siege guns near Boston before the outbreak - something which would be really significant, but provides no evidence for this claim.
The Hibbert book is a good overall narrative, well balanced and a good read.
I'm still waiting for an equivalent of Fusileers from the American point of view.
Also worth a look is Cornwell's The Fort - in some ways a typical Cornwell novel but good inspiration for small unit actions
Everything Chris Hibbert writes is brilliant and elucidating; if you want to understand either the AWI, or the Great Mutiny, or the French Revolution, buy his books. BTW re Bicheno's book, it was supposed to accompany Richard Holmes (RIP) TV series on the war; can anyone tell me if its available in the UK; everything I've seen on ebay is for the american market.