Osprey

Louis XIV's Army 1667-1715

review by Ken Bunger

One of the latest publications in the Osprey Men-at-Arms Series is Louis XIV'sArmy by Rene' Chartrand and plates by Francis Back. The format is the standard thirty seven pages of text and eight color plates. The text concentrates on the uniforms, equipment, and organization of the troops, which is one of the welcome developments in this series since Martin Windrow became the general editor. The color plates are excellent. Mr Back. shows great attention to uniform detail and equipment. Even better, there are no "wasted" plates, as each illustration is useful.

The book discusses the French Army between 1667 and 1715. As one would expect from the author, the information is historically accurate. The text includes an extraordinary amount of uniform information that will allow the wargamer to paint a majority of the French Army uniforms. This is not merely a general discussion of uniforms despite the relative brevity of the text. As the author points out, there is no room for a thorough discussion of the regimental colors and standards. Having said that, he presents information on manyof the infantry regimental colors. A particularly useful bibliographic note is also included. At $8.95 I can highly recommend this book.

Rene' Chartrand is the senior curator of military matter for the Canadian National Historic Parcs and is one of the leading authorities on the French Army of the ancien regime.

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