The University of Birmingham is running two part-time courses that might interest readers. The first is a Fountation Module in War Studies which starts Wednesday 25 September (1930- 2130), then six Saturday day schools. The second is Europe Spendour and Decline: The Ancien Regime which starts on Thursday 26 September (1930-2130), for 20 weeks. More information from the Marketing & Publicity Office, School of Continuing Studies, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT 0121 414 7259/56.07 or fax 0121 414 5619.

Constables have recently published the second volume of their Cochrane autobiography. Upcoming is their reprint ot Seward's Napoleon and Hitler: A Comparative Biography. l have got a copy of the first edition, and I found it a most thought-provoking book. Whilst it does not delve too deeply into the questions of ideology, there is enough background to suggest that Napoleon could be a forebear of Fascism

Jamie Wilson of Spellmount has sent details of his new military memoirs imprint. Not all of them will be Napoleonic, but the first two are Cooper's Seven Campaigns, and the next is Moyle Sherer. l have seen the cover design and they look really good.

Volume 5 (Oct 1811 to August 1812) of Geenhill's reprint of Oman will be out in September, and volume 6 (September 1812 to August 1813) in November. Also coming from Greenhill is a hardback of George Nafziger's Guide to Napoleonic Warfare; it will be re-titled Imperial Bayonets. I have to say that ( have my doubts about this. It came out in a spiral bound version at about £ 20 and I would have thought most potential readers would have bought it then. Unless it has been substantially re-written, purchasers of the original will be loath to write this off; even trainspotters have finite funds (I know I have). How about offering a discount to purchasers who return the Mark 1, Lionel?

Talking of George Nafziger, Emperor's Press will shortly be releasing his Leipzig volume in the 1813 series. For those who want a flavour, the latest issue of Napoleon, His Life and Breakfasts has an article on Leibenwolkwitz extracted from it.

The final volume in Paul Britten Austen's 1812 trilogy will be published shortly. This has been very well received, and is probably on a large number of reader's bookshelves

William Johnson (Crescent among the Eagles) has produced Dragoman, a 'Journal of News and Opinion on the Ottoman Empire in the Age of Napoleon'. It will be published quarterly and subscriptions are S4 per year. Write to The Dragoman at 1524S. 10th Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 or e-mail WJJER@aol.com

A new publisher (to me), Chatham Publishing, are re-printing Clowes seven volume The Royal Navy. l have never read this, but I would expect it to be a nautical Fortescue. Volume one is due out in September, and volume two and three in October and November Also from Chatham is Nelson's Battles: The Art of Victory in the Age of Sail by Nicholas Tracy.

Recently released from Combined Books is a two-volume set on American Military History. The first covers the years 1775 to 1902 and the second 1902 to 1985.