Customer Reviews:
All You Wanted to Know -- And Then Some.......2007-05-28
Make no mistake, this is the most meticulously researched and likely the definitive biograhy of that great American archetype, William Butler Hickok, known to history as "Wild Bill." Mr. Rosa spent decades researching this book and his thoroughness and dedication show on every page. The real "Wild Bill's" life is full of holes, obscured by myth and legend, and to Mr. Rosa's eternal credit, he has done as much as anyone could to sift through that to close the gaps and bring to life a sharp picture of the real man. Also brought to life by Mr. Rosa is a cast of original characters, friendsand enemies alike, who crossed Wild Bill's path. Yet there is a cost to the reader: You too will sift through numerous lengthy documents, reminiscences, newspaper reports, and letters printed in type difficult to distinguish from the author's own text (editor's fault). These verbatim transcripts often seem interminable and are difficult to wade through at times. Much of that stuff could've been slipped into appendices or end notes. This is not a book for casual or easy reading but an absolute must for anyone interested in the real history of the American West.
Excellent Book.......2007-01-23
Joseph G Rosa did a wonderful job in his research. The world, in an effort to depict Wild Bill as an exciting, rutheless, bloodthirsty gunfighter, has tainted the man behind the name. He was anything but bloodthirsty. His desire was to make things right, he was soft on the inside, behind those iron fists, was a caring, gentle man. Rosa did an excellent job as he gives us a true glimps into Wild Bill's world. He starts at the begining, when Wild Bill was just a child and goes from there to his adventures into becomming the gunfighter that we learn about reading this book, not the gunfighter Hollywood depicts, he was never that man. Anyone wanting to learn of the true west will enjoy reading this book.
The ultimate biography about Wild Bill.......2007-01-17
While others seemingly do scant research about Wild Bill or they are unable to communicate, Rosa's "They Called Him Wild Bill" is simply the best biography about Hickok I have ever read. The book is documented with both a myriad of legal documents and newspaper accounts (the latter can certainly be misleading, as they can be today), and Rosa is a gifted author.
You might find that your conception about Wild Bill changes after you read this book. (And if you saw that "laughable" movie titled "Wild Bill" with Jeff Bridges playing Bill, you'll realize why I call that movie "laughable" if you do read this book.)
You might not care for Wild Bill if you read this book, or...
Well, read it and decide for yourself.
No one presents Hickok as does Rosa. Period.
Not So Wild Bill.......2006-11-25
I've read several other books on famous Western characters that by far surpass this work. Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Custer, Billy The Kid, etc.. After reading some reviews here, I purchased the book and read it. I was very dissappointed in it. It gives a little info on James Butler Hickock's younger years and just briefyly covers his various "gunfights". The book states that he killed an estimated numbers of men but doesn't go into a whole lot of detail about them. The author plugs in lot of "hearsay' of the time and then attempts to dispute alot of it but not very successfully. The contains a lot of letters from various individuals and then the author states that the content of these letters are untrue. So why print it then? He also includes a large amount of information about "other" Wild Bill's throughout the book which to me was a waste of time. I didn't by the book to read about other people who were also called Wild Bill. Overall, pretty poor. Should have bought a different book. Don't waste your money.
Great Book.......2006-07-31
This book will make you an expert on "Wild Bill". There is so much misinformation out there about his life. This book is accurate and well documented.
Average customer rating:
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They called him Wild Bill: The life and adventures of James Butler Hickok
Joseph G Rosa
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
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ASIN: B0006RIDUQ |
Book Description
Napoleon was an artilleryman before he was an emperor. He understood the power and effectiveness of cannon and their ability to pulverise defences, reduce fortresses and destroy attacks. And, in return, the guns won Napoleon battles. In this detailed study Kevin Kiley looks at artillery in use throughout the Napoleonic period. He examines Napoleon's own artillery as well as that employed by his enemies, and he evaluates the gunners' contribution to warfare in the period. By looking at particular battles in detail, Kevin Kiley shows just how the effective employment of artillery could tip the scales of victory. Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars reveals much of the technical aspects of gunnery during the period v how guns were placed, their range, what calibres were preferred, how artillery operated v he also looks at many of the personalities involved and the difference between gun gunnery and mediocre artillery. He examines French artillery, including that of the Imperial Guard, and compares it to that of Britain, Russia and Austria. Illustrated with beautiful line drawings and rare contemporary plates this unique book reveals a whole new dimension to the Napoleonic period. Based on years of research into regulations of the period, eyewitness accounts of artillerymen and material culled from official reports this is a definitive account.
Customer Reviews:
Just my oppinion........2006-01-25
I bought this book from Amazon some time ago but only just read it. Overall, I would have to recommend this book. If you are new into Napoleonic history, this will be a useful book. If you're an old Napoleonic buff and already have an extensive library, then this book will only be another reference source and should be a good addition to your library. While the book covers lots of aspects of Napoleonic artillery, there are some issues that are not covered well or not at all (would have been refreshing to see a section on what colors the different countries painted their carraiges). Also, Mr. Kiley does repeat himself here and there, But like I said above, overall I would recommend this book to anyone interesting in Napoleonic artillery.
Needs an editor.......2005-07-13
This is a book that I really wanted to like. The author knows his subject backwards and forwards, and the contemporary drawings that are included are extremely rare. Unfortunately, too often I found myself reading material in one chapter that had previously appeared in another chapter (sometimes peviously on the same page). Although his narrative passages were excellent (albeit borrowing heavily from Elting et al), when repeated ad nauseum, they lost some of their potency. Hopefully this very able author will soon be able to match his impressive knowledge with the writing skills that it requires.
Everthing you could want to know...............2004-10-30
This is the most comprehensive account of artillery during the Napoleonic wars I think you could hope to read (if anyone has an alternate please do review and add reference). It is a lucid and at times exciting account of the use of artillery. I think it has covered every major action of the period including some I hadn't heard of.
Not only does the book cover the engagements well, it also provides great technical details - even down to sample artillery tables from the period. Lavish illustrations are provided with descriptions of contemporary tools.
There are plenty of books on Cavalry and Infantry for this period, but their scope is far less ambitious than this work. Often by battle, country, tactical and strategic etc. The scope of this work is very ambitious, every aspect of an entire combat arm for multiple countries during a key period of history - the author has produced a great book.
an impressive first salvo.......2004-08-14
Kevin Kiley's first book is a handsome volume that examines Napoleonic artillery, its theories and practices during the time when artillery began to become an equal partner in the business of battle. Its 290 pages are liberally filled with fascinating period engravings, clear maps and sixteen pages of black and white plates. Although it leans towards the French experience it also contains an abundance of material on Austrian, British, Prussian and Russian usage & mentions many more countries including the Americans at New Orleans in 1815.
Napoleon himself began as a gunner. You would expect a plethora of works focusing on the artillery of the Napoleonic Wars, but Mr Kiley's book, "Artllery of the Napoleonic Wars 1792-1815" is the first of its kind written in English.
I think it will be a landmark volume and an important part of anyone's Napoleonic library.
The book contains a panoramic view of the artillery of the period & the men who used it to such deadly effect & a detailed analysis of the science & art of gunnery of the era.
It encompasses a breadth of knowledge that pays heed to developments of the seventeenth century as well as a depth that explains how primers were made, for example. It ends with eponymous chapters on some of the great artillerists of the Age such as Smola, Senarmont, Eble, Ramsay & Drouot.
The book is peppered with primary source quotes that support the authors' views. Indeed, the work is well-supported with a cornucopia of diverse sources.
I must emphasize that the book is extremely readable. It marries a passion for the subject with a the cool technical eye of a former gunner who certainly knows the business. It will bear several readings and serve as a source of information indefinitely.
It does deal with some controversial issues. The author acknowledges such, clearly makes his case and, I daresay, the reader will make up their own mind. I found it credible.
I would recommend this book. I believe the recent rash of Osprey books on various national artilleries may prove to be a useful supplement but nowhere else will you get one volume that covers so much, so clearly, so well.
Book Description
The Austrian artillery of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was a creation of the renowned Lichtenstein system of the early 1750s. This weight system produced a series of weapons of 3-, 6- and 12-pdr. calibre along with 7- and 10-pdr. howitzers. In the 1780s they were joined by Cavalry artillery guns with their Wurst seats. In 1811 Austria also began the establishment of rocket troops based upon the British invention, whilst their heavy and siege pieces remained the 12 -,18- and 24-pdrs throughout the period. This book describes the system as well as its operational use during the Napoleonic Wars.
Customer Reviews:
THE book on Austrian Artillery of the Napoleonic Era........2003-05-30
Today I received my copy of Dave Hollin's book on Austrian Artillery. I am very pleased with the product. The text is straight forward. A great amount of useful technical material is provided, mostly in table form. Mr. Hollins provides a text that easily flows from one topic to the next.
The illustrations selected are great - much of the material has never been seen before in print. These illustrations alone would make this booklet a 'must have' selection.
Several picayune criticisms:
1) The table at the bottom of page 15: the right hand column should be cm/Zoll. As this is the length of the Taube, or casable as it is called in English. The measurement is from the rear of the basering to the furthermost end of the casable.
2) The cannon ball, illustrated on page 34: The damage was more likely caused by water and chemical damage while in the ground, than the causes listed. It would be nice to know the story of this particular cannon ball.
Several items of great interest:
1) Page 12, top: This illustration, from 1760 or earlier, clearly shows the 'bricole' in use by Austria.
2) Page 19: Excellent photographs of the Kavallerie carriage and tube (its sole distinction, the 'chiseled off' Taube (or casable)). A very rare illustration of the Kavallerie howitzer.
3) Pages 22 and 23: Illustrations of the fortress and siege pieces.
4) Good drawings of the Field forges (2 and 4 wheeled).
Again, this is an excellent work - It clearly shows the effort and time spent by Dave and his colleagues to get it right. Thanks, Dave, for your great efforts.
Steve
Book Description
In the first half of the 18th century the French had been the European leaders in artillery, possessing the only standardised range of pieces. These pieces, were sturdy but extremely heavy. This books shows how at the beginning of the Seven Years' War, Austria seized the lead by introducing new light field pieces - the 3pdr., 6pdr., and 12pdr. guns - and some excellent light howitzers. Other powers adopted this new system, however no complete overarching methodology existed until the implementation of the Gribeauval system, which was to revolutionise the artillery of Europe and make possible the highly efficient field artillery of the Napoleonic Wars.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Buy.......2000-04-06
This book is ideal for those wargaming enthusiasts and painters who want info on artillery pieces of the Napoleonic wars, the colour plates for each countries guns are ideal for painting purposes. I find that alot of the men-at-arms books and any other osprey book has good colour pictures and reasonably good info in them for the average wargamer and painter. So anybody interested in wargamming and like to paint figures then osprey books should defienantly be apart of your library.
Book Description
This volume is the second half of the story of the French artillery during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It covers the howitzers, mortars and large siege (16- and 24-pdrs) and garrison (8- and 12-pdrs) guns, placing a special emphasis on their role, technical significance and operational use. The introduction of the Gribeauval system put in place a collection of mortars and large guns that were lighter and more manageable than those previously used, while offering first class hitting power.
Customer Reviews:
'Get Up Close and Shoot Fast'.......2003-06-11
This is an excellent volume on the artillery systems used by the French during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The main thrust of the volume is the Gribeauval artillery system which was finally adopted by France in teh 1770s. This was 'perhaps the most important innovation in the history of artillery' surpassing in scope, hitting power, and mobility the Lichtenstein artillery system developed by the Austrians and adopted by them in the 1750s.
Gribeauval's system went further than its Austrian predecessor and encompassed not only guns and artillery vehicles, but organization, uniforms, and tactics of the French artillery arm. Gribeauval had seen the Prussian light guns before the Seven Years' War. He had served with the Austrians during that war and so was intimately familiar with both countries' artillery. Being influenced by both, and taking the best of the older French Valliere system, he developed and fielded his own unique system whose guns would dominate Napoleon's battlefields from 1807 on.
The author covers this unique and utilitarian system quite literally from muzzle to butt plate. He is entirely at home with artillery and artillery terms, and understands the use of artillery, its maintenance, and the technical aspects as well.
Along with artillery, the author also covers the French pontonniers, who were responsible for 'throwing' pontoon bridges over rivers, as well as maintaining the equipment, the hacquets that were used to carry the pontoons, and the pontoons themselves; the artillery train troops, who weren't artillerymen (as the pontonneers were) but were an adjunct organization that drove the horse teams that pulled the artillery's equipment; horse artillery, the new arm for the French artillery that was organized in 1792; and mountain artillery, light guns broken down and, with their ammunition, loaded and carried on pack mules. This study is thorough, accurate, easy to read and use, and it one of the best in the Osprey series.
The technical drawings in color are excellent. They show the range of the Gribeauval system as well as showing the 6-pounder of the System of AN XI (of which there is a full explanantion in the text-the second artillery system covered in the booklet). It is the best explanation of that newer system I have ever read about, and it explains in detail the advantages and shortcomings of that adjunct system to Gribeauval's system of artillery. The only shortcoming of the volume is the last drawing in color which is very poor. It is a print on the gun crew, and the quality of the art work, quite frankly, is not up to the quality of the rest of the booklet. It is inconceivable to me that the author would have voluntarily accepted this for this volume because of his consistent high standards and I do wonder why Osprey published it. It is completely substandard, and is the one blemish in this otherwise superb volume.
This is the best of the new artillery volumes that Osprey is just publishing, though all the artillery volumes are worthwhile. It is highly recommended for any and all enthusiasts of the period and is more than suitable for a reference work. It is well done, reliable, and full of excellent information. If you don't own it, or at least read it, you are missing out on one of the best books on artillery now on the market. Again, if it is written by Rene Chartrand, buy it immediately.
Lots on Gribeauval, Less on Tactics.......2003-04-20
Rene Chartrand, author of so many excellent Osprey volumes, begins his two-volume study of French artillery in the Napoleonic Wars with an examination of French artillery in the period 1792-1815. As usual, Chartrand deftly weaves together historical facts and personal insights to create a cogent overview of the subject at hand. In this case, Chartrand has a lot of ground to cover in less than 48 pages and the Vanguard format appears to have cramped his style. Although this volume is good, it is not great, and size constraints seem to be the culprit. Nevertheless, if you are a Napoleonic enthusiast then this is a good reference volume to have on one's shelf.
Napoleon's Guns 1792-1815 (1) begins with a short section on French artillery in the 18th Century and then rapidly moves into a lengthy discussion of the Gribeauval reforms of 1765. Indeed, a large chunk of the volume focuses on the Gribeauval system and I was surprised to learn just how extensive these reforms were once implemented. Most sources only mention Gribeauval's standardization of French artillery calibers, but he also improved artillery limbers, caissons, and ancillary equipment. Yet the most important Gribeauval reform was the quantitative increases; a typical French field army had its artillery support increased from 60 to 160 medium caliber cannon. Chartrand notes that Napoleon was very lucky to rise to prominence at a point when the French artillery had marked quantitative and qualitative advantages over all its opponents. Indeed, Napoleon recognized the value of the new field artillery and made it the centerpiece of his Grande Armée.
Chartrand does spend some time discussing the horse artillery units and the artillery trains (both interesting sections), as well as the regimental 4-pounder guns. However, there is no real discussion of the organization of different types of French field batteries or how a battery was commanded in combat. Supply issues are sidestepped. Chartrand does have sections on the paint schemes of the artillery, a brief section on ammunition and notes on artillery in the Imperial Period. Although the title suggests that coverage begins in 1792, there is virtually no mention of French artillery before 1800 in this volume. The color illustrations accompanying this volume are quite good: a 12 pounder field gun; a 6-inch howitzer; a caisson; and 8-pounder with limber and tools; a limber; a 6 pounder; and a 4-pounder in action.
Certainly the oddest omission is the almost total lack of information about the performance characteristics of the Gribeauval artillery pieces. There is only a single brief chart that lists typical ranges for ball, canister and grape ammunition, but this chart does not mention charges. Any artillerymen knows that different charges will affect the range that can be achieved, but Chartrand never discusses this important subject in this volume. Essentially, Chartrand used up most of the space in this volume discussing the Gribeauval system and artillery design issues, leaving precious little space for discussing relevant tactical issues. While I did learn a lot of interesting aspects of the Gribeauval system that are not always apparent, this volume is not very useful for understanding how the French employed their artillery in combat.
Book Description
This title is the first of two volumes examining the artillery equipment of the British forces during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, along with Wellington's campaigns in India. Throughout this period the British Army used both Foot and Horse artillery, principally using either the 9-pounder gun or the 5.5 inch field howitzer in the field. Also covered are the smaller field guns in the 3- and 6-pounder categories and the largest, the 12-pounder field gun. This title covers the design and development of the guns, the organisation of the troops and their operational histories.
Customer Reviews:
The Royal Artillery.......2003-06-29
This is an excellent effort on the British field artillery of the Napoleonic period. There is interesting and useful information throughout the book. The subject is covered quite thoroughly, and there are sections on, among others, organization, ammunition, tactics, drill, and the guns and limbers that were used to pull them. It is a ready reference work, but a few things could have been done to make it better.
There are no illustrations of British caissons, which would have been very helpful. The section on the Indian artillery, with one of the attendant color prints in the center of the booklet could have been left out. That was a very minor theater during the wars, and the space devoted to it could have been better used for material, such as Congreve's rockets, that would be more helpful for the period.
Further, there are only four data tables, which seriously hurts the overall presentation. Three of these were taken directly from Adye's indispensable Bombardier and Pocket Gunner, the other being done for the book. There is nothing, data wise, on ranges in table form which would have been useful and something that is a must for an artillery presentation.
The period illustrations which permeate the text are excellent and picture everything from guns in the field, to the use of an artillery gin, to showing the interior of the Royal Brass Foundry at Woolwich. The illustration of the 9-pounder field gun in the center color portion of the booklet has two errors: the axle and the trunnions are misidentified.
The illustrations of the 6-pounder gun team, the 5.5-inch howitzer and crew, and the gun tubes and gin are really excellent, especially as one of the howitzer drawings shows the chambered bore. The glossary at the end of the text is both useful and accurate and is a plus for the volume.
All in all this is a valuable booklet for British artillery and is recommended. It has a companion volume on British siege artillery of the period by the same author, which is actually the better of the two. It is highly recommended. Taken as a set, these two booklets should be owned by every historian and enthusiast interested in the artillery of the period. It is another 'arrow in the quiver' so to speak, and the information is solid and reliable, just like the guns that are described therein.
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