A fascinating history of the old British army.
588190
As a fifth generation ex British soldier I found this fascinating. There are not many histories with detail at the level of those who stood in the ranks. This gives a background to the old family stories.
195386
This book reveals a fascinating aspect to the American Revolution.  We always see them listed as professional military in other accounts. But their profiles describe them to be loyal men who wanted to preserve their Empire.  All of the soldiers on both sides were British until 1781.
1438171
Well researched and written with excellent campaign and battle maps. It would have befitted greatly from being published five years later.  The British perspective of the author was balanced and appreciated.
3797414
Fascinating and well illustrated history of Scottish-English border warfare.
2309291
This book is an edited oral history of the lives of British ex-pats in Malaysia and Borneo in the early Twentieth Century.  In making this collection, Allen interviewed ex-pats from all walks of life-from bank officials to boat captains and family members of rubber plantation owners.  He collated the material into chapters organized by topic, including motivations for going to the East, types of work, racial mixing and segregation, daily life, living in the back country, administration, women, the War, and the prison camps.  Allen provides much historical background, and uses lengthy excerpts from the interviews to illustrate his points.

I found this book absolutely fascinating for the information it provides on the ex-pat mindset.  I had never understood before who these ex-pats were and why they were so nonchalant about living overseas.  In movies and books British ex-pats are frequently portrayed as having the attitude of being superior to locals, and oblivious to local cultures. This book provides a much deeper exploration of what British ex-pats living in the colonies were all about.  We learn that many of the men were younger sons of middle class families, who knew they would not be inheriting money or business, so they would have to make it on their own.  A career in the colonies provided a respectable way for an average chap with limited resources to make a living, as well as have some adventure along the way.  But this wasn't their only motivation-as many in Allen's interviews note, they were also drawn to the colonies by a sense of service to their country and to the people of the colony.  Conditions were often extreme, and deaths from disease were common.  The only way to survive was to develop an incredible toughness of character, sometimes taking the form of daily routines that seemed to deny the hardships through seeming to be oblivious to them.  From our perspective, these customs may appear to be out of synch with local culture, but when it is understood that they are survival mechanisms, their worth becomes clear.

In this book, the ex-pats explain themselves, as Allen sums up in the epilogue: "As the younger [local] men that they had trained began to take over so the British officials went into early retirement; a few moved to other colonies but the great majority returned to the United Kingdom. They went with the satisfaction that they left behind countries that were `prosperous, and peaceful and well-governed'. They had stood for `decent, not very efficient but well-meaning government that gave the very poorest man a chance to live and enough food to eat'. And if as rulers they had been `sometimes pompous and stupid' they had also been, by and large, `dedicated, intrinsically good and incorruptible."  Whether or not the officials actually measured up to these descriptions is another story, but this is how they saw themselves and described their own work.  Allen's work in collecting these stories and creating a cohesive whole from the disparate pieces is masterful.
3220681
A very interesting insight into the IDF in the 1960s.  A very inventive military, they took bold, original strokes in developing their officer corps which, while mostly successful, also created problems.  In a profession which ordinarily shuns originality, Israel felt compelled to break the rules to quickly develop an army which could defend themselves from what seemed like, at the time, formidable enemies. Larteguy does solid work in highlighting the pros and cons of what was an amazing force at the time.  An easy read and useful for both the historian and military professional.
2070205
This is not a scholarly history of the Battle of Culloden.  It is a collection of stories from, and about, Culloden compiled by Hugh Allison who works there.  Everyone descended from families who took part in this battle, this civil war between the Houses of Stuart and Hanover, will have their own perceptions about the battle and its consequences.

The Battle of Culloden was fought at Drummossie Moor on 16 April 1746. There were many brave, on both sides of the battlefield, and many legends have grown.  For myself, as a member of Clan Cameron, I am pleased to see a photograph of the Clan Cameron Stone and to read an account of the actions of the Gentle Lochiel and Dr Archie Cameron.  Generally, the Clan Cameron account in the book accords with oral family history and other sources.

Much has been written about Culloden.  Much of it romanticised and simplified, and is often presented from the Jacobite perspective.  This book fills a particular gap.  It provides a sense of the place, a perspective for the events and, most importantly, combines histories from a number of different sources.  The select bibliography will be of value for those who want more information about the history and events.  For myself, I am happy to welcome this book to my bookshelves.  I first learned a particularly partisan account of Culloden some 45 years ago.  I have since learned that legend is not necessarily fact.

Recommended to those with an interest in the place, the battle and the aftermath.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith
2709606
First published in 2004, and again in 2011, this excellent book comprehensively addresses a much neglected campaign from the British perspective. In it Alan Wakefield and Simon Moody not only cover the British Armys fighting on the Salonika Front chronologically from late 1915 until the end of 1918, they interweave it thematically to portray issues such as life in the front line and the rear areas, the provision of medical services, and the air war over Macedonia.  Throughout their narrative abundant quotes from participants, including their Bulgarian opponents, add a contemporary flavour, together with a real sense of what it was like to serve there.

Well written, the story flows in an easy to follow style and holds the readers attention, without delving into too much detail. While this is not a study of the campaign itself, being very much focussed on the British experience, the authors thorough research from a wide range of primary and secondary sources provides readers with what must be the standard work on the British campaign in Macedonia during the Great War.

A brief background on the political reasons for committing troops to the region sets the scene for the deployment of French and British forces into Salonika and the initial advance into Serbia, followed by defeat and retreat.  The failure of the Bulgarians to follow up and invade neutral Greece enabled the establishment of The Birdcage defensive sector, before the Allies once again advanced to the Serbian border, around which the remainder of the campaign was fought sporadically over the next two and half years. Minor actions along the Struma Valley and the First  and Second Battles of Doiran are especially well covered with sufficient detail to follow the bloody and difficult fighting, while the chapters focussing on the thematic subjects provide a thorough study of the whole British experience and contribution during the campaign. Throughout the book good maps enable the reader to follow the action.

Perhaps the most intriguing issue, was the political situation in neutral Greece, torn as it was between a Pro-German monarch and a Pro- Ally prime minister, and from October 1916 having two rival governments until King Constantine abdicated and the country entered the war on the Allied side in June 1917. Until then, that the Allies were able to insist on the removal of Greek troops from key points, and operate unmolested for almost two years seems inconceivable today.

Additionally, we are left in little doubt this was a campaign driven by the French, and their requirements largely dictated the British actions. While French demands  did not always accord with their British Ally, the way in which British politicians and commanders addressed them, especially Lieutenant General Milnes  deft handling of demands and compromises with his aggressively minded French counterpart, provides an insight into how a junior partner in a coalition war can meet their own needs, yet placate and support those of their Ally.

Overall, this is a throughly rounded, comprehensive, well written and excellent study of the British experience during the Macedonian campaign. Highly recommended.
385524
I have been reading quite a bit of military history and this has been one of the better written books. Quite enjoyable.
4795521
A summary of the review on StrategyPage. Com:

'Prof. Riley (Kings College London), a retired British general, gives us a very interesting look at a long forgotten campaign, one which saw the last elements of Cromwells New Model Army take the field alongside Royalist troops to fight for Portugal against Spain in the name of the recently restored Charles II. Its a tale of tough campaigning, grueling marches, hard fighting, bureaucratic neglect, and more that reduced the small army from 3,500 men to 1,000, few of whom ever saw England again. As he tells this story, Riley touches upon the conduct of war in the period, and at times makes comparisons with later English campaigns in Portugal and Spain. Despite its rather obscure subject, this lively, well written account will prove interesting reading for any armchair general.'

For the full review, see StrategyPage. Com
1409664
I have heard much of the 31st Virginia. As I look over this line and think of how they have fought for four years I must say that their devotion to their cause places them among the noblest of men. Good bye, boys, I wish you well; you have nothing to which you may be ashamed. So ends the four years of service in the Civil War of the 31st Virginia Infantry, CSA, also known as Hoffman's Army.
 As far as regimental histories are concerned, David Wooddell has woven a very interesting and engaging account of the 31st Virginia. Piqued by his interest to discover more about his ancestor, Wooddell has extensively researched the regiment for 30 years. This is clearly evident by 1000 end notes which reference primary sources such as: books, letters, journals, newspaper articles, and documents from the National Archives and the Library of Congress.
 The account is rich in detail and flows easily throughout the four years of the Civil War. Mustered into the Confederate Army in June, 1861, the 31st begins with 1500 undisciplined, untrained and under-supplied men from western Virginia. The background of the men is put into perspective as a product of the area and its sentiment. Most are against the vote for Statehood of West Virginia in 1863. Many return home to find that they are outcasts in this new State after the war.
 Early battles such as Philippi, Laurel Hill and Cheat Mountain brought information to me about a campaign of which I had little previous knowledge. The unit was also involved in numerous well-known battles such as Seven Days, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the Overland Campaign, finally surrendering at Appomattox Court House with Robert E. Lee's army. On April 9, 1865, there were only 22 men bearing arms of the original 1500.
 Overall, I would state that "Hoffman's Army" is well-crafted, rather than just written. Wooddell has taken time over 30 years to carefully choose his words and blend them into a detailed, fascinating account of the 31st Regiment. He has interspersed brief biographies as warranted which do not interrupt the flow of the narrative. Battles are described as to the involvement of the 31st and do not delve deeply into overall battles or strategies. This keeps the reader focused on the main topic. The 21 maps are small, but informative. There is some good additional information in the end notes which makes a case to me for footnoting, but this is a minor personal preference. The extensive detail would help current Civil War enthusiasts to research their ancestors. The 23 page index is very helpful for gathering this data.
 I highly recommend "Hoffman's Army" to anyone who is interested in regimental histories or seeks more information about everyday camp life and regimental politics. David Wooddell's book would be a welcome addition to the collection of any serious Civil War reader.
3241019
The British Army during WWII, an excellent social and military history.  Well-written, a good read.
2714451
I read the hardcover edition while on deployment overseas and could not put it down. I became interested with the soldiers and tactics of the 95th Rifles after watching "Sharpes Rifles" on PBS.

Urban's research and writing style superbly captures the life and campaigns of the British Rifleman during the Napoleonic Wars. As a career soldier, I saw many similiarities with the trials and dangers faced by these soldiers and those of today. The weapons have changed, but many of the the hardships remain. Their tactical deployment and experiences have become the foundations of today's modern infantry.

I highly recommend this book to historians, military buffs, Sharpe's series fans and anyone who wants to read a true "ripping good yarn".
4241201
The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (2)

 Part one of this two volume Osprey Man at Arms series covered GA's infantry units.  In this excellent companion volume author Richard Brzrzinski and illustrator Richard Hook push on and describe the Swedish King's cavalry and artillery arms.
 Brzezinski, quite briefly, shows us the history and the unit commanders of all the Swedish army cavalry units of this dynamic era.  For me, this is exactly the information that I want to have.  We also learn about the mercenary regiments that came into Swedish service.  I was taken by the short life of these mercenary units (or enlisted soldiers as the Swedes called them to differentiate them from the conscripted Swedish soldiers).  Often the hired units lasted only a single year.  Just as often the units ended up serving other monarchs.  They might serve the Swedish King one season and in the following year ride for the Saxons or even in a couple of cases for the French.  Fascinating.
 Richard Hook provides colorful and accurate renderings of the uniforms and equipment of the horsemen.  Photographs of arms and equipment are also plentiful.
 Brzezinski also gives us a short introduction to the artillery park of the Swedish army of the era.  His Majesty cut the number of sizes of guns down to just three, which must have been a huge change for the situation at the turn of the 17th century when a hodge podge of colorfully named types ruled.
 I like the Osprey books.  This slender 48 page volume rates highly in that company.
3029427
This book appears a homage to the Chelsea Pensioners.  Founded in the 1680s by Charles II the Hospital has long served as a final way station for retired soldiers of Britain's wars.  The 8 or 9 subjects present a portrait of the British army in the two world wars and the late colonial period.

The men interviewed for this book all pretty much had hardscrabble lives in Britain and sought out the army as a means of escape.  They had an almost fatalistic and long suffering relationship with that army.  Many were often content to take any deal that institution dealt out to them.  The traditions of regimental life engrossed many and created a devoted following to those cherished ideas.  Duty, service and self-sacrefice for ones mates were the enduring ideas they learned.  Surprising also how many served through WW2 yet often saw little or no combat due to the vagaries of army posting and assignments.  This reinforces the notion that military bureacracy often resulted in a relatively small number actually facing daily combat.

To read this book is to understand how the army works and how its moves around its soldiers.  Most of the men here were more than willing to serve wherever they were posted.  Overseas postings to India and Malaysia often had its perks.  NCOs and their wives often had posh accommodations the like of which they would never have had in Britain.  The downside was that most postings were temporary and the career soldier often had to be prepared to move around at short notice.  If they were married then wives also had to make do with any new postings.

Most of the soldiers here would have stayed in the army as long as possible, but the downsizing of the Britain's armed forces after WW2 and the reduction of the Empire meant that they often had to return to a difficult civilan life.  Yet many would prosper after a hard period of adjustment, the values learned in the regiment and army serving well in civvy street.  In the end, as old age creeps on the Chelsea Hospital becomes a beckoning that lures them back to a softer army in retirement.

This book is a salute to those old veterans, many gone now, who maintained an Empire and saw its demise.  They fought the good fight against Nazism and went along in their duties with that nonchalant English swagger and determination to do their duty against all adversity. They fought w/o emnity and usually conducted themselves with steady professionalism.  Soldiers today would have a hard time enduring the lives these men had with the colors.  A classic study of a bygone era of soldiering when tradition and comradeship mattered much in that profession.
3911104
The amazing thing was that Christoper Hibbert found 750 pages of history on George IV worth writing, but he did it well.
I would have preferred to have a hard bound edition, but it isn't available from what I have been able to find.
This well written and an interesting story about an interesting time.
3323517
LOTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT BRITISH SPORTING GUNS AND RIFLES UP TO 1906. A FUN READ FOR THOSE INTERESTED.