Need some book advices

[Benedict151]

Just a quick note to say that -

"Ph. Contamine, La Guerre au Moyen Age, 2003"

Is also available in English (as 'War in the Middle Ages'). I'd suggest its worth having in your library although I personally prefer Verbruggen and France.

[Paul59]

I think the Ian Heath books are excellent (he also did 'A Wargamers Guide to the Crusades' as well) and well worth having. I'm interested to know if the 2nd Edition of A & A of the Crusades is significantly different to the 1st.

I'd also the second the suggestion re David Nicolle's books (although I find his style at times can be a little off putting) and J France.
For warfare in western medieval Europe I'd be inclined to suggest that -
J France 'Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades' and
J F Verbruggen 'The Art of Warfare in Western Europe During the Middle Ages'

are both almost indispensable

regards
Ben

Hi Ben,

I received the 2nd Edition of Armies and Enemies of the Crusades this morning. I have not had time to go all through it yet, but my initial impression is that not much has been added. The page size and format has changed, it is a smaller page and larger font, so it is very hard to tell at a glance if much has been changed. 

There is now a contents page, that even lists the individual illustrations. The illustrations and maps are all the same, but much smaller than the originals, I would guess about 75% of the original size. Some sections have been slightly rewritten, and some new information given in places, but nothing major. If you have a good copy of the original it is not really worth getting the 2nd edition.

If you don't have the original, and have any interest in the Crusades and the contemporary wars of the Byzantines and Mongols in the Middle East then it is a must buy.

[Athos1660]

Just a quick note to say that -

"Ph. Contamine, La Guerre au Moyen Age, 2003"

Is also available in English (as 'War in the Middle Ages'). I'd suggest its worth having in your library although I personally prefer Verbruggen and France.

Too bad Verbruggen's book has never been translated in French, although the original edition in Dutch of this Belgian author (De Krijgskunst in West-Europa in de Middeleeuwen, 1954) included a long 40-pages summary in French.

[NikiforosFokas]

Just to repay my French friends. There is an excellent book of Abbés Zouache Armées et Compats en Syrie. And you can read it online for free in the open edition's webpage.
A bientôt.

[Benedict151]

I think the Ian Heath books are excellent (he also did 'A Wargamers Guide to the Crusades' as well) and well worth having. I'm interested to know if the 2nd Edition of A & A of the Crusades is significantly different to the 1st.

I'd also the second the suggestion re David Nicolle's books (although I find his style at times can be a little off putting) and J France.
For warfare in western medieval Europe I'd be inclined to suggest that -
J France 'Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades' and
J F Verbruggen 'The Art of Warfare in Western Europe During the Middle Ages'

are both almost indispensable

regards
Ben

Hi Ben,

I received the 2nd Edition of Armies and Enemies of the Crusades this morning. I have not had time to go all through it yet, but my initial impression is that not much has been added. The page size and format has changed, it is a smaller page and larger font, so it is very hard to tell at a glance if much has been changed. 

There is now a contents page, that even lists the individual illustrations. The illustrations and maps are all the same, but much smaller than the originals, I would guess about 75% of the original size. Some sections have been slightly rewritten, and some new information given in places, but nothing major. If you have a good copy of the original it is not really worth getting the 2nd edition.

If you don't have the original, and have any interest in the Crusades and the contemporary wars of the Byzantines and Mongols in the Middle East then it is a must buy.

Thanks Paul,
Thats slightly disappointing (although good news its been reprinted for those that do not have a copy), my 1st ed is still in pretty good condition so I think I'll stick with that.

regards
Ben

[vakarr]

Cover page, The Gods of Battle

The Gods of Battle.jpg (11.74 KiB) Viewed 362 times

For lots of information and discussion of ancient warfare, light troops, peltasts, and cavalry in general, as well as even more information about the Thracians that you won't find anywhere else, see

The Gods of Battle: The Thracians at War 1500 BC- 46 AD by Chris Webber
(The Thracians were so fond of fighting and so good at it they were referred to in ancient literature as "The Gods of Battle", this is not at all about religion)

You can see a video about the book here:
https://youtu.be/F9kLFjQF6Eo

[Athos1660]

imho getting a copy of Oath of Fealty: Feudal Europe War (FoG tabletop book) is a good way to get some insights about the future army lists of FoG2: Medieval (including armies of South Europe that'll come in a DLC), their allies, warfare of the period, etc., even if there will certainly be some differences in army lists...

(also a good way to know that mounted crossbowmen are cavalry ).

(the price of this book second-hand can vary from say 15 to 110 euros... )

[Sh1mbo]

if you are in the total war access program you can get Viking Warrior Vs Anglo-Saxon Warrior from Osprey publishing free, is a good read =)

[Epiruswarrior]

Just to name a few that are a must read and the very core/basic:

Titus Livius - Ab Urbe Condita

Polybius - Histories

Eutropius - Breviarium Historiae Romanae

[kronenblatt]

Has this book about my favourite period already been mentioned?

armies.jpg

Wow: spot on! "Armies of..." has now been ordered in hardcover. Thanks for advice, slg3b!