Book Review: Napoleon's Imperial Guard, The Infantry, Paul Dawson.

This is part one of a two part Uniforms and Equipment series from Frontline publishing, an imprint of Pen & Sword, by Paul L. Dawson. A deluxe hardback, copiously illustrated with both contemporary art depicting the Infantry of Napoleon's famous Imperial Guard, and superbly photographed original artefacts, covering weapons, uniforms and other equipment of this legendary elite formation.

Together these two volumes will make an indispensable new resource for those interested/obsessed with the history of this most colourful and exciting era. The level of detail is, frankly, astonishing. Occasionally even rather exhausting, if I'm honest. And yet I find myself strangely and magnetically drawn to it all, even down to the minutiae of what appear to be translations of original manuals of regulations and suchlike.

Mind-boggling minutiae!

I have to confess that I baulk a little at the obsessive detail of the many tables of various types of data, which cover all sorts of things, from the numbers, names and ranks of individuals within given units, to the expenditure on various types of cloths or garments. Having said this, the deeper one delves into these subjects, the more such facts become, pardon the pun, part of the very fabric of history itself.

I love the illustrations, both the colour plates of beautiful old artworks depicting the peacock finery of these venerable French warriors, and the numerous photos of their gear, which exert an almost talismanic power, communicating across the ages a strong whiff of gunpowder, sweat, blood and the many soils over which Bonaparte's legions tramped, from the sands of North Africa to the Steppes of Russia.

Wow! What fab gear!

Artist and illustrator Keith Rocco, who many will associate with the American Civil War, thanks to his copious output of artworks covering that conflict, has been commissioned to produce new works for these two books, and they feature both on the front and back covers of the books, and in their own dedicated sections in the centre of the volume. These are superb, needless to say. And they help impart a real sense of the de-luxe, as befits a book about elite units such as the Imperial Guard.

Sadly this first volume - I eagerly await the second, on the Cavalry of the Guard - does suffer from the lack of editorial finesse that sometimes bedevils such specialist or niche areas of publishing as military history. Some examples of this include the usage of specialist terminology that isn't explained (or if it is, it's explained elsewhere in the book, and that explanation is not easily found), or such bloopers as the rear dust-jacket blurb describing this as a 'guide to the dress, weapons and accruements [sic*] of the cavalry [!] elements  of the most famous formation of the Napoleonic Wars'.

Lots of lovely illustrations!

Nonetheless, this is a fantastic resource for the Napoleonic history buff, and an essential addition to the library of those who, like me, are obsessed with this period of history. I can't wait to see the Cavalry volume!

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* Presumably the intended word here was accoutrements?

Book Review: Polish Guard Lancers, George Lubomski

This book is clearly a labour of love. Put together by an enthusiast who is also a re-enactor, the focus is on uniforms and equipment, as opposed to a history of the actions of the two regiments of Polish Guard Lancers. There are contemporary illustrations, modern ones, and photographs of both original and reproduction items of apparel and gear. Making this a treasure trove to those interested in this most splendid of troop types.

On that last point: the 1st and 2nd Polish Lancers of The Imperial Guard were amongst the finest looking regiments in the finest looking army, in an era that saw what many - myself included - regard as the very peak of martial finery. Or in other words, they are the most beautiful of the beautiful in an age of unparalleled beauty. To my eyes/mind, that makes them a very compelling subject. And this book allows me to wallow in that peacock splendour.

A sample page from the book. [1]

There are one or two critical observations to make: a bit on their operational histories would've been nice (but that's not really what this book intends to supply); and the whole thing has the feel of an amateur enthusiast's self-published work. If I compare it to another book I recently received for review - Toy Soldiers, by Luigi Toiati - the weight of paper, quality of photographs and illustrations, etc, are very markedly different. But despite these differences, this remains a terrific and very useful/welcome addition to my library, on a favourite topic.

The level of detail on uniforms and equipment is amazing. There are even tailor's cutting patterns for various garments, and images that show the several ways the czapka tassels and cords were worn. I have a desire to make myself some Napoleonic outfits - I can't afford to have them made for me by those folk out there who do it commercially - and a book such as this will be a terrific aid in doing so. It's also brilliant reference for the modeller/wargamer.

An oiginal kurtka. [2]

I have a load of AB Miniatures Polish Lancers in 15/18mm, which I intend to paint and base some time fairly soon. I also want to buy/build the Airfix 54mm Polish Lancer. This book will undoubtedly be a great help with these projects. For example, I was fairly gutted to discover - and I only found out when the figures (already paid for) arrived - that the beautifully sculpted AB Lancers have no plumes or cords/tassels on their czapki. I went as far as asking Tony Barton if he would produce a version with these omissions added, but... he declined! So I'll have to find a way to add them myself. This book will be a terrific help.

I've docked half a bicorne for the less than perfect print/paper/illustration qualities here on my blog, where I can deal in 'half-star' values. But over on Amazon UK I give this, and deservedly so in my view, the full five stars. I feel a trifle guilty giving it less than the full five bicornes here, to be honest, as I love it so much, and greatly admire all the work that's gone into making such a fantastic resource available.

An original czapka. [2]

Anyway, in conclusion, if you're passionately interested in this most alluring of branches of the Imperials Guard's splendid cavalry, I'd say this is an essential addition to your library.

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NOTES:

[1] The cover and numerous illustrations, such as those on this sample page, are, I believe, by the author.

 [2] I've used original examples of clothing I found on the web, and these may or may not be reproduced in Lumboski's book. They're simply used to here to illustrate the type of material the author uses.

Book Review: Early Railways, A Guide for the Modeller, Chatham & Weston

This is a bit off the beaten (railway) track for me, but it is about miniature modelling, and I have posted on here a couple of times before about railway related shenanigans. This handsome A4 hardback, by Peter Chatham and Stephen Weston, both of whom are involved in Parliamentary Trains' Ltd, a manufacturer of kits for this market, explores and celebrates the very early railways. 

After a brief but interesting intro' to the subject, the chapters start with a profile of Mike Sharman, 'Pioneer Modeller of Early Railways', before exploring the subject itself in chapters entitled Infrastructure, Locomotives, Carriages, Wagons, Layouts and models, and Sources of supply for modellers. These headings tell you what to expect.

Puffing Billy, 1862.*

As well as copious diagrams, illustrations and photos, both in colour and black and white, there's a bibliography. One notable omission is a glossary. And the main body of text is clearly aimed at those already knowledgeable on the subjects of railways and railway modelling. So, to an interested layman like me, not yet embarked on railway modelling, some of the technical stuff was a bit opaque. 

This is certainly a very attractive book, and because of that it's inspiring. There are lots of very beautiful period images, some being technical drawings, others adverts or other articles, illustrations, and even numerous early photographs. Some of the diagrams have been cleaned up a bit. And - I wouldn't be confident here, this being outside of my normal area of activity - it might even be possible to build some of the vehicles using the diagrams and other images here.

A '9 foot' Pearson (no. 44), c. 1854-70.*

There are also plenty of pictures of models and 'layouts', the latter being the (usually workable) equivalents of the military modellers dioramas. These are clearly works of art and labours of love. The modeller of such things will also need to be a prodigious researcher! At roughly 120 pages, despite it being a luxuriant full-colour hardback, this is a but a brief taster on the subject. 

At an RRP of £19.99 it's not cheap, but it's worth it for those interested in such things. And covering as it does a period of predominantly British industrial innovation (American and European stuff is also featured), in a period prior to that most railway modellers usually choose, it has some added charm.

'East Grinstead', by Ian White, one of the featured layouts.

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* The Puffing Billy pic I've used here is not in the book, whereas the Pearson pic does feature.