L'armee Francaise, An illustrated History of the French Army, 1790-1885 ($49.95, 368pp, Quantum Publishing) by Edouard Detaille, is finally available in a definitive English translation. The original French edition, published in the 19th century is sometimes available in antique bookstores (if one can find it at all!). Now the people who brought us Tactica and Fire and Fury bring us this monumental work on the French army at a bargain price. It is scheduled for release sometime this summer. It's hard-bound (the flyer mentioned "book shelf quality"), measures 9" x 12", comes with 300 illustrations, and 20 original museum paintings in color. L'armce Francaise covers regimental histories, army organizations, recruitment, training, uniform, and equipment od the French Army. Of interest to colonial enthusiasts are sections on the Crimean War, Mexican Expedition, and the conquest of North Africa. A must have! (Note: a special price edition ($45.00) is available from Brandywine Enterprise, 2 Buckingham Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601)
Articles of War (8806 Bronx Ave. Skokie, IL 60077-1823), probably the premier book dealer carrying colonial titles, is in the process of reprinting a whole series of colonial titles. A list being considered can be found elsewhere in this issue. Please resist the impulse to check EVERY item on the list (which I almost did), since the whole purpose of the survey is to determine which of these classics will be printed FIRST. Take your time to xerox this list, check the desired items, and send it back to AOW. If everything goes according to plan, you should read about some of these reprints in this very column in the near future!
There always seems to be something new on the American Indian Wars. The latest offerings include The Custer Reader (University of Nebraska Press, 1992, 585pp., $40.00) edited by Paul Andrew Hutton. This is a feast of fact and interpretation for the Custer buff; a collection of the best essays, articles, and letters about Custer and the Battle of Little Big Hom. This anthology covers Custer's Civil War career, his Indian fighting record, his last stand, and the Custer myth as it evolved. This is a must for the hardcore Custer grognard, though a bit expensive for the general reader.
Also just out on the Indian Wars is Let Me be Free - The Nez Perce Tragedy (Harper Collins, 1992, 403pp., $30.00) by noted western historian David Lavender. It covers the 1877 Nez Perce War. The Nez Perce Indians, among the most peaceful of western tribes, proved a formidable foe for the U.S. Army during a 17,000 mile pursuit that finally ended in their surrender to the Army. This book is a sympathetic account of the Nez Perce, their war, and the events that led up the that tragic conflict. Well illustrated with photographs (especially the leading personalities), this book is a good introduction to the war for the general reader - though not as detailed on the military aspects as Mark Brown's Flight of the Nez Perce (Bison Books).
From Articles of War's latest catalog come the following (see elsewhere in this issue for their address):
Geronimo and the End of the Apache Wars (Bison Books 1990, 136pp. $6.95) Ed. by C.L. Sonnischeen, is available in paperback from Articles of War. A reprint of the 1986 edition, it covers the last great Apache War party under Geronimo and his final surrender in Mexico in 1886.
My Friend the Indian (1910, 447pp., $11.50 SB) by James McLaughlin is the memoir of a reforming Indian Agent, first at the Devil's Lake Sioux Agency in the Dakota's in 187 1-8 1, then at the Standing Rock Agency on the Missouri River. His friendship with many prominant Indians enable him to relate the Indian side of many important event during this period. A 1989 reprint of the original edition.
Red Cloud and the Sioux Problem (1965, 375pp., $9.95sb/$29.95hb) by James C. Olsen covers Red Cloud's life. The author presents a balanced and fair account of the relations between the Sioux and the U.S. Government from the mid 1860's to the 1890's. A 1989 reprint of the original edition.
The Red King's Rebellion - Racial Politics in New England, 1675-78 (1990, 273pp., $22.95) by Russell Bourne, examines the origin, cause, and campaigns of King Philip's War in New England. This bitter war was waged with the Algonguian Indians, led by their chief King Philip, and was conducted across much of Upper New England. The White colonists were almost driven to the sea until they won the war after bitter fighting which resulted in 3,000 settlers and over 6,000 Indian casualties.
Warlords of the West - A Story of the Commanches (1990, 204pp., $14.95) by Preston Harper. The author fashioned a story of the Commanche Indians through the lives of three fictitious chiefs: Grandfather, Father, and Son (known as Long Lance, Eagle, and Iron Bow). Using this mean the author recounts how the Commanche thought, lived, and fought during the golden age of Commanche dominance of the Southern Plains.
The Boy-Man, The Life of Lord Baden Powell (1990,670pp., $24.95) by Tim Jeal is a detailed biography of this well known Victorian soldier. Including good coverage of his early career in India, his service in the 1895 Ashanti War, the Matabele Rebellion in Rhodesia, plus extensive coverage of his defense of Mafeking during the Second Boer War.
British Colonial Policy in Burma - An Aspect of Colonialism in S.E. Asia, 1840- 85 (1988 India, 559pp., $23.95) by Aparna Mukherjee, is a background study of the relations between the British government and Burma from 1840 to the annexation in 1885. A little military information.
Campaigns: Zulu 1879, Egypt 1882 & Suakin 1885 - Being the Private Journal of Guy Dawnay (1886, 240pp., $24.95sb). A very scarce privately printed memoir of a British gentleman campaigner who attached himeself to various staff's, or as a newspaper correspondent to be in the thick of campaigning. A 1989 limited edition reprint.
History of the Indian Mutiny - and of the Disturbances which Accompanied It along the Civil Population (1888, 582pp., $38.95) by T.R.E. Holmes, is an excellent overall history of the campaign. Furthermore, the author also covers in detail the many small campaigns throughout the various provinces from 1857 - 58, which are seldom discussed elsewhere. A 1989 reprint edition.
Meerut Mutiny & The Siege of Delhi (1858, 357pp., 19.95) by John E.W. Rotton. An eyewitness account of the Sepoy Revolt in Meerut, and the subsequent siege and capture of Delhi. Appendices include a list of all British & Indian units with casualty figures, and a complete list of all British officers killed and wounded during the campaign.
The Other Side of the Medal (1925, 131pp., $9.95) by Edward Thompson, ed. by Mulk Raj Anabd is a study of atrocities committed by British troops during the suppression of the Indian Mutiny. An 1989 Indian reprint.
Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny 1859, 293pp., $19.95)by William ForbesMitchell. The memoir of an old soldier of the 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders, who was present at all the engagements in which the 93rd participated. From the relief of ucknow to the final operation in Oude. A 1989 Indian reprint.
Chitral - The Story of a Minor Siege (1898, 368pp., $35.95), by Sir George Robertson KCSI. A limited 1991 reprint edition. The author commanded a small force which held out against combined Pathan and Chitrali armies on the NW Frontier of India.
Heros for Victoria, Spelmount Illustrated Military History Series (1991, 192pp., $49.95) by John Duncan and John Watson. This series chronicles the men and battles of the British Army during Queen Victoria's reign. Profusely illustrated in B&W and color, the illustrations add to the narrative which is enlivened by many contemporary accounts.
I Have Sind - Charles Napier in India 1841-44 (1990, 327pp., $35.95) by Priscilla Napier. A biography that covers in great detail Sir Charles Napier's campaign in India.
Running the Gauntlet - Some Recollections of Adventure (1990,314pp., $31.95) by G. Massop. The author joined the Frontier Light Horse at the age of 15, and saw action at Hlobane, Kambula, and Ulundi. He later saw action in the First Boer War at Laings Nek and Maajuba.
S&S staff artist Nick Stern bought a new book titled: Monday's Warrior (1990, 308pp., $21.95) by Maurice Shadbolt. It's a historical fiction based on a true person (whose name I did not get). Who is an American, who went to New Zealand to join the British Army, later deserted and joined the Maoris in their struggle against the Pakeha.
Periodicals
Soldiers of the Queen (Mr. George Dibley, Arm Farm Cottage, Blisworth Arm, Northamptonshire NN7 3EF, UK) Issue No. 68 continues their excellent coverage of the colonial period. Dr. Ian Beckett, a senior lecturer at Sandhurst, presents an article on British military thought, from 1854 - 1914. The article traces the evolution of British military science, from the pre-Crimean War period to the beginning of WWI.
A must read for serious military enthusiasts. Robert Robe, an historian with the U.S. Park Service presents an interesting article titled: "Ulysses S. Grant: Alcoholism and Command". This is an interesting interpretation on the effects of Grant's drinking on his military career and generalship. Gordon Everson presents a piece titled: "Eastern Cape Towers and Forts". Meurig C.M. Jones presents the pictorial records of Colonel F.W. Jarvis, DSO, Suffolk Yeomanry. These pictures taken during the Second Boer War are published here for the first time.
Fortress (P.O. Box 22, Iiphook, Hants GU30 7PJ, UK. 64pp. $40.00 per year) is a quarterly journal devoted to the study of fortifications. It is professionally produced and glossy covered, illustrated with many pictures, drawings, and maps. Although the magazine covers pre-history all the way up to WWII, most issues including at least one article on colonial subjects.
The Heliograph (11017 SW 125th Ave. Miami, FL 33186, $8.50 for 10 issues) No. 73 could be titled the Jerry Eberling special issue. Jerry presents rule variants for The Sword and the Flame, plus two senario write ups. One scenario is for the NW Frontier, and the other for the Boer War.
MWAN (22554 Pleasant Dr. Richton Park, IL 6047 1) No. 57 contains a battle report of the siege of Tuyen Quang (Foreign Legion vs. Black Flag bandits), written by Greg Nichols of HATSOFF. Frank Chadwick presents the organization and order of battle for the Russian Army during the Crimean War.
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© Copyright 1992 by Milton Soong.
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