NAPOLEON BOOKS - Old and New ! (1 Viewer)

[Capitolron]

I wanted to start this thread to see if anyone could help put together a list of some great Napoleon Books that I should buy (and others too) - I wanted to take a sounding from the forum on what you think the best is on Napoleon OLD and NEW ?

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Ron,

This is a rather large task. I will say that my interests tend to go toward the Peninsular Campaign but I can recommend several books covering other areas as well.

These are the books I have readily at hand:

Rifles By Mark Urban. The 95th Rifles in Spain.

The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier by Jakob Walter ISBN 01401.65592 Good account from his diary of the Grand Armee 1806-1815

The Peninsular War by Charles Esdaile. He also wrote The Wars of Napoleon, The French War 1792 - 1815

Royal Navy Reference book: A Sea of Words By King great reference for all the terminology used. ISBN 0-8050-3812-4

Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars By Pope ISBN 0-8160-4243-8

There are a ton of other books out there go to Abebooks and search their system. They have nearly everything you could ever want.

Also if you havent read them the Sharpes Series by Bernard Cornwell are fast reads which though sometimes not totally accurate with the battle timelines and units make for some really great reading and of course most of the series is out in DVD form too. I hope this helps you get a starting point.

All the best

Dave

 

[Capitolron]

Thanks Dave - thats great info - I will check them out.

Anyone else have suggestions ?????

 

[jazzeum]

I had seen this awhile ago in Borders. No idea if it's any good. It's called the War of Wars: the Great European Conflict 1793 - 1815.

 

[Old Guard]

Well Ron this is a big subject to cover. There sure are a lot of great books out there and I have not come close to reading or owning them all. I will tell you about some of my favorites.

By far my favorite book is Swords Around the Throne by John R. Elting. If you love the Grande Armee then you most own the book. John Elting in my opinion was one of the best Napoleonic authors ever and several of his books are on my top 10 list. It is unfortunate that he is no longer with us.

Staying with John Elting is the superb A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars. No other book has given me a better understanding of battles of Napoleon. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.

I know you are going to get tired of his name but if you are into uniforms then John Elting’s four volume Napoleonic Uniforms of watercolors by Knotel is not to be missed.

Moving on The Anatomy of Glory: Napoleon and his Guard; A Study in Leadership by Henry Lachouque is the longest titled book I own but a great one. Plus who can ever get enough of the Guard.

Napoleon and Austerlitz by Scott Bowden is a great detailed book of this wonderful victory. Scott has a great style of writing.

I also strongly recommend Napoleon’s Grande Armee of 1813 and Armies on the Danube 1809 both by Scott Bowden. Both books give an excellent overviews of each campaign.

If you are into Military Art then Napoleon’s Last Grande Armee by Military History Press is wonderful and expensive. They also publish On Campaign in the Age of Napoleon which features the art work of Keith Rocco.

I also like Napoleon’s Finest which is a translation of Marshal Davout’s 3rd Corp combat journal during 1805-1807. Translation done by Scott Bowden published by Military History Press.

Well I think that is enough for now. Some of these books are out of print but can sill be found. The Military History Press books as far as I know are only sold through their web sight. Have fun expanding your library.

Viva le Emperor

Old Guard

 

[Capitolron]

OLD GUARD

Thanks

That was a great list for some book research. I really appreciate your thoughts and advice on the book search. For your efforts you get a:

NAPOLEON !

Its been awhile for me - had to do it.

Thanks again, Ron


IS THERE ANYONE ELSE ?? NEED MORE SUGGESTIONS

 

[aujj65]

Ron

Try this website, you should be able to find something of interest here.

http://www.napoleonguide.com/booksind.htm

Jeff

 

[Old Guard]

OLD GUARD

Thanks

That was a great list for some book research. I really appreciate your thoughts and advice on the book search. For your efforts you get a:

NAPOLEON !

Its been awhile for me - had to do it.

Thanks again, Ron


IS THERE ANYONE ELSE ?? NEED MORE SUGGESTIONS

Well thank you Ron for the Napoleon. There can truely be no higher honor. Have fun with whatever books you get.

Old Guard

 

[Capitolron]

Any other ideas from you forum nuts ???

 

[fishead19690]

I,ve posted most of these suggestions before on here but if you,ve missed them here they are again! I,ll post a link to amazon to them for you. What about you Ron, do you have any napoleonic books to suggest???

This is a real good book on how napoleon thought about war, its made up from all notes and dispatches and orders to his comanders and is a good insight as to how the man thought on war!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Napoleon-Art-...3235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176157949&sr=8-2

This is one of my favorites and is a really good read, A must have!!!Baron Marbot RULES!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Exploits-Baro...3235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176158192&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Swords-Around...3235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176158465&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Waterloo-Comp...3235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176158527&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Rifles-Years-...3235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176159915&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.com/Wellingtons-R...235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176158650&sr=1-19

This is a great book if you like to veiw great napoleonic paintings and have a bit of a read as you go along! Tons of GREAT paintings on almost every page!
http://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Unif...3235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176158795&sr=1-1

The funkin books are great if your looking for uniform plates as they give you the max bang for the buck!
http://www.amazon.com/Arms-Uniforms...235002?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176158989&sr=1-19
I,m sure if I stoped and thought about it more I would remember many more but thats what pops up off the top of my head, I,m sure i,m forgetting some real good ones but these will keep you busy for awhile.

 

[Capitolron]

Mr Fish

All the books that I have read are either recent or Osprey - thats why I am asking for the list

Ron

 

[Warrior]

Ron,
I've got five that come to mind strait away as follows;

Napoleon's War in Spain by Lachouque, excellent history of the campaign loaded with great paintings and uniform plates.

L'Epopee Napoleoniene by Hourtoulle with illustrations by Jirbal. Excellent uniform plates/battle scenes with French text.

Waterloo by Lachouque, in my opinion the best illustrated history of the battle, has sections of the Waterloo Cyclorama painting.

Wellington's Regiments by Ian Fletcher, great history of the British Army with nice illustrations.

1814, The Campaign for France by Hourtoulle from Histoire and Collections. Title pretty much says it all really................

 

[fishead19690]

Ron,
I've got five that come to mind strait away as follows;

Napoleon's War in Spain by Lachouque, excellent history of the campaign loaded with great paintings and uniform plates.

L'Epopee Napoleoniene by Hourtoulle with illustrations by Jirbal. Excellent uniform plates/battle scenes with French text.

Waterloo by Lachouque, in my opinion the best illustrated history of the battle, has sections of the Waterloo Cyclorama painting.

Wellington's Regiments by Ian Fletcher, great history of the British Army with nice illustrations.

1814, The Campaign for France by Hourtoulle from Histoire and Collections. Title pretty much says it all really................

George I,ve got that Waterloo book by Henry Lachouque and I,ll second your opinion on that book, great stuff!
The Histoire and collections books are great also and besides the 1814 book you suggested there are also a few others in that series that are great also including the Wargram,Jena and austerlitz books and the soon to be released friedland book which I,m sure will be packed with tons of color photos and plates like the others.
Another interesting book is Weapons and equipment of the napoleonic wars by Philip J. Haythornthwaite

 

[Capitolron]

THANK YOU - Mr. Fishy Fish - for your contributions, they look great

What about others ?? Come on jump in and give us your favorite books on the Napoleonic Period...

 

[Combat]

THANK YOU - Mr. Fishy Fish - for your contributions, they look great

What about others ?? Come on jump in and give us your favorite books on the Napoleonic Period...

Ron-
I recommended this before, but if anyone is looking for one book that encompasses the entire military career of Napoleon:

The Campaigns of Napoleon by David G. Chandler

 

[aujj65]

Ron-
I recommended this before, but if anyone is looking for one book that encompasses the entire military career of Napoleon:

The Campaigns of Napoleon by David G. Chandler

I seconded this book as well, you will need a long weekend to read this one!

David Chandler is a well known expert on the Napoleonic Wars and this book is well worth getting.

Jeff

 

[Capitolron]

Anyone else - lets keep this list going for everyone....