Digby SmithAn Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars: An Unrivalled Reference to the Insignia, Appearance and Experience of the Fighting Men of the Period (Military Uniforms)

For those who do not have the Napoleonic Source Book by Philip J Haythornthwaite, this would be an ideal book to have instead. Although the plates of uniforms are more like good drawings rather than one or two pictures on a page, they are designed with the writing around them. The information is very good and it has great paintings, tables, equipment and accurate uniforms from the time period. The only downside to this, is the poor quality of maps-they are good but no real information. They are static and only give an impression at one part of the battle-like the start of war.Other than that the information is quite good which gives an introduction with an excellent map and has some information.The next section then goes into the background history into what lead to the Napoleonic wars giving you the history of Pre-Revolutionary France, the Causes of the Revolution, the Terror, the Directory and finally the Napoleonic rise and fall. There is also a part on the Trafalgar battle with the map at the start of the sea battle and ship positions and the reason for the battle with very good tables of navy strengths of various nations. There is also an interesting section of Life of a Soldier, Uniforms and Badges of Rank and Major Campaigns and Battles (these maps are rather disappointing).Next you have the history of various countries starting with France which tells of the uniform changes and development and includes each part of the army: infantry, cavalry and the artillery. The gradual information changes of the uniforms are very interesting and are a good reference source.The French, Austrian and Russian sections are excellent as well as the British role during this period. The rise of the German countries and Prussian sections are also well written. The Section on the USA, Denmark and Sweden, The Grand Duchy of Warsaw along with Spain and Portugal, Italy and Naples make it very alive. The Glossary to finish is an average deal that some will read with interest.All in all it is a very good, well written piece but if you are only interested in the Napoleonic wars, this will not be so good. It does concentrate too much on the revolution uniforms and plates which, if it had been called Uniforms of the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars would have made it a better accurately described book. None the less with it's background information leading into the Napoleonic period, this is a very good book to read.Well worth the wait.

Excellent book full of detail.

Very well illustrated book and very informative.

Very useful source of reference, not as detailed as some other more specific publications but some good illustrations.

Great book love it!

Bought for my husband as a gift. He is a Military buff and is always happy when sat quietly reading a new book

This is the best value reference book for historians and modellers interested in the Napoleonic era. Full of detailed colour illustrations and supported by good easy to read background information.

A somewhat good book with excellent uniform illustrations. However not as concise as it should be. Slightly disappointing purchase, could have been excellent.