Soldiers of the ECW (1) Infantry

Booklet

by Tom McMillan

Osprey Men-at-Arms Elite #25

This edition (text by Keith Roberts, color plates by Angus McBride) is easily one of Osprey's best efforts, combining a very good, concise, informative introduction to the ECW with excellent, cleverartwork. The text doesn't mess around with extensive historical synposis, but concerns itself amost entirely with tactics, formations, and dress. A chart is presented of coat colours and uniform details, a simple blessing which forsome reason Ospreyoften omits. Standards are also covered. The real merit of this book, however, is in the colour plates, which follow the average recruit through his experience - recruitment, training, skirmishing, battle, as well as some ancillary activities.

These plates are not only beautifully done, they are realistic and humorous. In "Recruitment", for example, a smug, well dressed officer and his clerks stare directly into the eyes of the viewer, representing the recruit. Allegorically, at their feet, a terrier strikes a similar pose in staring down a small, terrified cat. In "Training", two recruits fumble hopelessly with their muskets while a third, more adept, and already loaded, gives them a smug sidelong glance. If you want to get a good sense of the ECW period in a pleasant, painless fashion, and be entertained along the way, you could hardly do better.

Reviewing Stand

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