Good Books on the M&P Era

[GMcClellan]

Most Wargamers are familiar with World War II, the American Civil War and the Napoleonic Wars, the wars in the Musket and Pike era are somewhat more obscure. To that end, I've been polling the guys involved in developing the M&P games to come up with a short list of good books of introduction on these wars. These are not really the down and nitty gritty books (check our Bibliographies for that!) but good overview and introductions to the era. That's not to say these are lightweight books. For instance, Wilson's book on the TYW is massive! These are good places to start if you either are unsure about the game, or have tried them and want to dig in a bit deeper.

Feel free to contribute ideas of your own as well.

Ren:
1 Parker, Geoffery. The Military Revolution
2 Gush, George. Renaissance Armies 1480-1648

Thirty Years War
1 Wilson, Peter: Europe's Tragedy: A New History of the Thirty Years War

Great Northern War
1. Massie, Robert Peter the Great
2 Esposito, Gabriele Armies of the Great Northern War, 1700-20



Vienna 1683:
1. Stoye, John The Siege of Vienna
2. Agoston, Gabor. The Last Muslim Conquest: The Ottoman Empire and its Wars in Europe.

Seven Years War
1. Showalter, Dennis Frederick the Great: A Military History
2. Duffy, Christopher: Frederick the Great: A Military Life
3. Duffy, Christopher: The Military Experience in the Age of Reason

[devoncop]

Thank you for taking the time to detail the above.

I have just ordered the Wilson book, it sounds like exactly the sort of big tome I love.

Ian

[parmenio]

I have just ordered the Wilson book, it sounds like exactly the sort of big tome I love.

I can confirm that's an excellent book.

[Grim.Reaper]

Just curious, does the thirty year book dive into all the battles in any level of detail or is there another book that does? Would prefer a book focused on tactics and actual battles than an overall history.

[devoncop]

I have just ordered the Wilson book, it sounds like exactly the sort of big tome I love.

I can confirm that's an excellent book.

Thank you it is due to arrive tomorrow...I am looking forward to it.

[parmenio]

Just curious, does the thirty year book dive into all the battles in any level of detail or is there another book that does? Would prefer a book focused on tactics and actual battles than an overall history.

Well it's a single volume so will struggle to provide the level of detail you may be looking for.
For example, Breitenfeld has two and a half pages of text + a battle plan.

Edit: Just to make it clear.... that's the paperback version I'm talking about.

[Grim.Reaper]

Just curious, does the thirty year book dive into all the battles in any level of detail or is there another book that does? Would prefer a book focused on tactics and actual battles than an overall history.

Well it's a single volume so will struggle to provide the level of detail you may be looking for.
For example, Breitenfeld has two and a half pages of text + a battle plan.

Edit: Just to make it clear.... that's the paperback version I'm talking about.

Thanks, I suspected that was the case. If anyone has any thoughts on a different book, that would be great.

[GMcClellan]

William Guthrie has a 2 volume set where each battle gets a full chapter. That said, they are exceedingly spendy. I don't have them, so can't speak to them, but they're out there.

[Grim.Reaper]

William Guthrie has a 2 volume set where each battle gets a full chapter. That said, they are exceedingly spendy. I don't have them, so can't speak to them, but they're out there.

Those sound like what I was after, but your right they are cost prohibitive for me at $100+ per volume:(

[GMcClellan]

William Guthrie has a 2 volume set where each battle gets a full chapter. That said, they are exceedingly spendy. I don't have them, so can't speak to them, but they're out there.

Those sound like what I was after, but your right they are cost prohibitive for me at $100+ per volume:(

Interlibrary Loan perchance?