(1996) 302 pp, 138 figs, 91 tables, 7 charts £ 25

The hobby has been afflicted recently by too many books promoting theories or relying on colourful narrative. On further examination, these appear to be based on limited research (especially of nonFrench material) and a failure to get to grips with the nuts and bolts of what was actually happening on the ground.

This is fine if you understand that aspect of the subject yourself, but many readers must find it difficult to follow the story through, when they have no quick reference to help. Publishers are now returning to such clearly laid out guide books, which should be essential reading. Falling square into this category, 'Imperial Bayonets' is the handier size hardback version of the 1995 Nafziger A4 softback 'Guide to Napoleonic Warfare', now published by Greenhill.

It is fundamental in discussing the overall sweep of the wars to read more than one nation's view of the Wars. A quick look at the bibliography shows just how comprehensive that survey has been in this case. It takes the reader through the key regulations for all three arms and explains them in the kind of comprehensive, yet understandable, detail often missing these days.

The structure makes for easy reference as each section starts with an overall view of each arm and its main functions. These include such rarely considered points as the height differences between infantry ranks, or that both Austria and Russia faced the mobile Turkish warfare as well as European tactics. (The Turks themselves are about the only nation not to feature).

That is followed by 'how each nation did it' with original diagrams, covering almost the entire period, (which makes the changes that occurred appear logically). The actual order of the main armies (France, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Austria) is maintained throughout, making cross- referencing much quicker. Nafziger is well known for his mathematical calculations and this is no exception. as he compares the speeds of manoeuvre and formation change.

However, some of the conversions seem to have gone a little awry with the Austrians, slowing their marches somewhat. It might have been more instructive to show these calculations at a more realistic 70% of effective strength. At least the benchmark is consistent and the actual calculation methods explained if you want to work up your own version.

As well as the standard run-through of each nation's basic regulations, there are additional illuminating explorations of subjects considered important but often glossed over. These include light infantry and combined arms' tactics. Skirmishing, (how nice for someone to point out it wasn't invented by the French), both on foot and mounted, is particularly well supported by accompanying diagrams.

There is also space for analysis of some of the key tactical treatises, such as those by Ney and Jany, which take the reader right up to brigade level. It does not stop there, as the author runs through the effectiveness of muskets and artillery pieces with details of ammunition stocks. The book concludes with some general guidelines at grand tactical and corps level, followed by the bibliography which provides plenty of additional material for those who want to read further.

Having described the theory there is some space for actual tactical examples in the general chapters. These tend to come from the author's favourite period of 1812 and later, but there are many books giving descriptive accounts of events throughout the period. On reading them after this, you will understand what was occurring.

The only quibble is an overemphasis on numerical analysis in the cavalry section. The author gets into leadership ratios and tries to draw up a league table of cavalry unit quality - this is not applied to the infantry and is a rather subjective argument. The author readily acknowledges many of the advantages lay in sheer numbers of horsemen and notably the superior French command and control above regimental level.

These are subjects beyond the book's scope, so it could have been omitted. Nevertheless, the point is properly made and worth following up if you wish, but cannot be accorded the same level of reliability of the rest of the book.

Most of the text is not bedtime reading, but this book forms the ideal reference for wargamer, re-enactor and researcher alike on 'how to'. Of course, this is not the end of the story, but the donkey work (working through Austrian regulations in Gothic script is nobody's idea of a good time!) has been done, so that theories advanced about the relative merits of each nation's troops can be grounded in the proper data, which would be a beneficial development throughout the hobby.

It makes a pleasant change to be able to recommend a book to all enthusiasts as being thoroughly good value both in terms of content and price. As books move towards £ 25 as a standard price, it is unlikely you would need to buy much more on this aspect of the period.

If, like the Editor, you have the original softback, donate it to your wargames club to scribble on the 70% calculations. Do not start photocopying it - an author presenting you with this much information deserves a decent reward.

Look Out for Fakes

Whilst it may be outside some readers' period of interest, George Nafziger is the author of some twenty-three books on W.W.II OBs. It has recently been brought to AoN's attention that some of them are being copied in this country and sold in breach of copyright. It is easy to tell the difference; George's originals have his name of the front, whilst the fakes have a plain white cover with the German Iron Cross and no author's name. On the inside cover there is small sticker naming Practical Publishing of Aldershot as the producers. The matter has been referred to the local Police to take criminal action under the 1988 Copyright Act. If anyone has inadvertently purchased any of them they should return them to wherever they were obtained and request a refund.

More Book Reviews

The Longman Companion to the French Revolution
English and Welsh Infantry Regiments
Life in Napoleon's Army
The Adventures of John Wetherall
Female Tars
The Origins of French Revolutionary Wars
The Wars of Napoleon
Imperial Bayonets