Following David Crook's comment on my last post, I put together a small list. A few personal favourites and in no particular order
. Before the inundation while I like Bernard Cornwall, I would much rather read the real thing over fiction. So Sharp's not on my list (the TV show is great to paint to however).
This was a gift from my English Grandmother in the late 70s. Gran lived in the same small Cotswald village as Michael Glover, so she knocked on his door and got me a signed copy.
Well, we have to give the other side of the hill it's due don't we? IMHO the best one chapter get-you-hooked-for-life introduction is the chapter on Davout's Corps at Auerstadt. It's an amazing view of an army (and generals) at their absolute peak. If only wargames rules let us be as flexible as Davout - here M. Engineer- lead these infantry companies in a bayonet charge, hey sappers go take that battery over there!
Brilliant history, a great read, and great scenario ideas. Many volumes love the Allies as dunderheads model but Duffy makes the allied command very human and realistic. You'll really feel sorry for Kutusov after this one. And for a general and an army cursed for slowness check out the march rate required to get them into Bavaria to link up with Mack's Austrians and then back to Moravia when the unfortunate reality was revealed!
My current read (ok one of several books on the go). I'm on my second go round and it's both information and highly entertaining. Covers more than Napoleonics but a lot of period stuff.
Hi Peter,
ReplyDeleteVery good selection and anything by any of those authors is well worth a read. I would struggle to pick my top three from the Napoleonic section of my library though!
All the best,
DC
David
ReplyDeleteI agree there's plenty of potential reads, I literally went with what was on my mind.
PD
I don't think I could do it, but more power to your elbow Peter for the attempt.
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