Thursday, 17 December 2020

Inspirational Books and SYW Commanders

Following Iain’s post of his inspirational book I thought I would do the same. Then I realised I had done it back to celebrate my 500th post here https://wargamesinthedungeon.blogspot.com/2018/08/celebrating-500-why-did-i-start.html 

However, as a reminder this was the first military book I had , it is an unashamed piece of historical literature written before the madness of the First World War when many genuinely thought battles could be ‘glorious’. The pictures are wonderful πŸ˜€

My other book was Featherstone
I did take a picture of one of my modest bookcases, I’ll leave you to zoom in a look at the eclectic mix of topics. I have other bookcases but no near as many as Iain.
Thought I would also share this title, as perhaps one of the least useful books I have picked up when in a second hand bookshop and felt I needed to buy something as you do. It has quite a lot about war elephants which of course is why I bought it πŸ€”
I have managed some painting this week finally getting round to some SYW command stands which brings this project closer to some battles in the New Year. Here are the Austrians
and here are the Prussians....I haven’t stuck to any specific uniforms as I am sure Brigade commanders had their own individual attire.


22 comments:

  1. Nice figs, think my 1st book was a massive history book with images of warganes figures recreating battles. No idea what it was called though. Used to love looking at the images

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    1. You see caught your imagination young ! Hooked for life

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  2. Your SYW command is looking superb. If you found Scullard in a second hand shop for a pittance, you did very well. I paid a much higher sum for my copy. If you ever plan on throwing it out, let me know! I thought it a fine book with respectable research.

    I am still contemplating my choice for inspiration book intro to wargaming.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan , the book is on the shelf with a number of others who are sadly waiting to be read ☹️ But you never know........

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  3. Your Command figures look great. Most Prussian commanders tended to belong to a regiment so their uniforms would reflect that regiment's details. In the Austrian army, commanders' uniforms were more standardised, simply white coats with red facings, waistcoats and breeches; quantity of gold lace denoting rank. But don't worry, your secret's safe with me. (*wink*) 8-)

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    1. Thanks Davy....I am not so far away as the Austrians are all mainly white and the Prussians are predominantly blue with regimental colours of various types. Lots of gold lace. As I did want these to be brigade commanders πŸ‘ thanks for taking the time to look and reply πŸ˜€

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  4. A fine pot pouri of books there Matt. Nice work on the little folk, admire your pluck on tackling such small figures, I am having a hard time doing 10 20mm GermansπŸ™‚

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    1. Thanks Phil.....actually the little guys are pretty easy you just have to remember they aren’t 28 mm ! So very little care needed

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  5. Love the SYW command bases Matt. Mine are still in the leadpile awaiting inspiration and motivation to get them progressed. As for my inspirational books, I'm still trying to figure some out, as its' quite some time ago!

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    1. Thanks Steve I needed to get these done to have a few test games as I should have enough figures now for some SYW action. As for books this and Featherstone are an easy choice for me.

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  6. I really like that 'Nundanket's' posting of inspirational books has lead to similar posts from Iain and yourself. Books are such a huge part of the hobby for the likes of me. It's wonderful to see other's 'libraries' and selected books.
    Regards, James

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    1. Thanks I do have quite a few more than in the photo but they need tidying up πŸ˜€

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  7. Interesting book Matt - I had a novel called The Lion in the North by G A Henty. It had been my dads I think and dated from Victorian times. The blurb about Henty on Google says says he was a prolific novelist, war correspondant and Imperialist. Qupting directly from Good Reads, this is a synopsis of the story

    "In this novel about the Thirty Years' War, 16-year-old Malcolm Graheme is a Scot who volunteered to fight with the military forces conducted by the celebrated Gustavus Adolphus. When the Emperor of Austria sought to eliminate Protestantism from Germany, the Swedish King fought the terrorism endured throughout villages whose population was mercilessly decreased by the Hun invasion. The Scots displayed the fortitude of Gustavus's army by fighting their way across a Germany that was tormented by religious persecution. Malcolm underwent enterprises whose possible outcome was dangerous, but his quick thinking and insolent resolve won him the struggle against a pitiless opponent."

    I dont have the book now so cant post an image of it. Maybe I will buy a modern copy of it...

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    1. Thanks Keith interesting I do know that book as I have listened to it as an audio book, unfortunately it wasn’t a great recording but it did give fairly good description of some of the battles.

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  8. Nice SYW command and I enjoyed the peek at your bookshelves, quite a few that tempted me!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain ....there are a few more book shelves and I am determinedly disorganised πŸ˜€

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  9. Nice little chappies there to command the SYW armies! Always interesting to see what fellow enthusiasts have on their bookcase.

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  10. I like those SYW command figures! Nice models, nicely presented. What make are they?

    The book looks like stirring stuff.

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    1. Thanks nearly all my SYW are Pendraken 10 mm a couple of the spare cavalry figures are old glory. The book is indeed stirring if a little old school colonial.πŸ˜€

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