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Nik
Adept



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   Posted 1/14/2008 12:59 AM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I've checked out a few of the Osprey books in the Warriors and Man-at-Arms and Elite series. From what I can tell, they seem to be pretty useful for story research. I'm wondering what some of you ancient and medieval military experts think, though. Is the research in these books sound? Do they stand up to scholarly scrutiny?


Nicholas Ian Hawkins

Forthcoming
"Knowledge and Dust," in Magic & Mechanica, from Ricasso Press, Winter 2008

Published
"Relativity," in FLASHSHOT, September 28, 2007


Visit my website, Trampler of Beautiful Phrases, at nihawkins.wordpress.com

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von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)



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   Posted 1/14/2008 1:33 AM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I pick 'em up whenever I can afford them. Last purchase I bought 6 for $5 each, all on Romans, Knight Hospitallers, Germanic Warriors, etc. Osprey is very highly regarded by miniature collectors/artists and by military buffs - at least in the World War eras, as I've several of those as well and from what I know and have read, they are worthy their cost. Especially the battles books, too, where they spend a book on a battle like Lorraine 1944, where they map the scene of battle, list capabilities, terrain, tactics, etc. I like 'em, I just can't swing the hobby-store new prices of $19 bucks a book though, so I usually only get them used.


~~~~~~~~~~
Jason M. Waltz
Assistant Managing & Anthology Editor Flashing Swords Press
~~~~~~~~~~
Ever waltz with the Devil? Visit von Darkmoor's thoughts to find out (and read a review or two).
~~~~~~~~~~
Critical Eye of the Dragon Avatar courtesy of crystalwizard

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Rob Mancebo
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   Posted 1/14/2008 2:43 AM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Nik said...
I've checked out a few of the Osprey books in the Warriors and Man-at-Arms and Elite series. From what I can tell, they seem to be pretty useful for story research. I'm wondering what some of you ancient and medieval military experts think, though. Is the research in these books sound? Do they stand up to scholarly scrutiny?

 
-  I love those books (Lots of big pictures. roll )  I generally find them well done but not perfect.  You can find things that you'd search through 100 other books to sort out.  At the same time you have to verify some of the research yourself.  I've been told the colors are off in the costuming in the Landsknechte books.  But I'm a little color blind myself so it makes no difference to me. 
 
-  I'd say they are 'good enough' to use anytime you want a quick overview of the warriors or cultures described.  If you're more demanding, you can still use them as a place to start.  Lots of times they will pique my interest in areas of a culture that I hadn't anticipated.  I pick them up whenever I get the chance. 


Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore

www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Nik
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   Posted 1/14/2008 3:23 AM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Thanks, guys. This definitely helps. Sounds like they pass muster.

Just picked up a couple on medieval Scandinavian armies--very cool. I agree the prices are a bit steep, although they're a bit cheaper new on Amazon.


Nicholas Ian Hawkins

Forthcoming
"Knowledge and Dust," in Magic & Mechanica, from Ricasso Press, Winter 2008

Published
"Relativity," in FLASHSHOT, September 28, 2007


Visit my website, Trampler of Beautiful Phrases, at nihawkins.wordpress.com

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tchernabyelo
Acolyte

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   Posted 1/14/2008 7:22 AM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I'd second the recommendation of the Osprey line - some really useful research material in an excellent format.

Artists are a bit variable. I particularly like Angus McBride, whose plates are wonderful little story vignettes in their own right.


Brian Dolton
 
Yi Qin stories:
"The Box Of Beautiful Things" - IGMS#3
"The Man Who Was Never Afraid" - Abyss and Apex #20
"Where No Wind Blows" - Staffs & Starships #2 (forthcoming)
"At Blue Crane Falls" - Abyss and Apex (forthcoming)
"What The Sea Refuses" - Black Gate (forthcoming)
"What The Heart Bears" - Black Gate (forthcoming)
 
Other Land Of Wind And Ghosts stories:
"The Dragon Path" - Fictitious Force (forthcoming)
"Three Out Of Four" - Sorcerous Signals (forthcoming)
 
Stories in other settings:
"The Unicorn Hunter" - OG's Speculative Fiction #8
"Call Centre" - Necrotic Tissue #1
"When Winter Came" - ASIM #32 (forthcoming)
"Cold Fire" - Flashing Swords #9 (forthcoming)

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RHFay
Sage



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   Posted 1/14/2008 10:03 PM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

I have just about every medieval (Western European) volume of the various Osprey books.

I love the images in most.  They are usually well-illustrated, and not just with the colour plates, but with photos, too.

However, having spent time on a historic arms and armour forum, I know the historic arms and armour community has mixed feelings about the Osprey books.  Some are definitely better than others, and there are times that a bit of speculation creeps into the colour plates.  I would caution using certain Osprey books as a sole source, but most are pretty good.

I actually have the Scandinavian armies volumes, and I thought I would add that certain Scandinavian members on the arms and armour forum where I used to hang out were less than happy with some of the information.  I guess the volumes tend to lump all the various Scandinavian countries together too much.  And, some of the plates didn't depict the arms and armour as exactly correct as some people would like.

Still, I like the images in those volumes well enough.  The good thing about many Osprey books is that they contain enough photos of medieval manuscript illuminations, brasses, effigies, and extant armour that you can compare these images to to the colour plates. 


"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!" Andrew of Armar.
 
Richard H. Fay - Azure Lion Productions 
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Nik
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   Posted 1/14/2008 10:08 PM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Brian and Richard--thanks to both of you for your input.


Nicholas Ian Hawkins

Forthcoming
"Knowledge and Dust," in Magic & Mechanica, from Ricasso Press, Winter 2008

Published
"Relativity," in FLASHSHOT, September 28, 2007


Visit my website, Trampler of Beautiful Phrases, at nihawkins.wordpress.com

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Greybeard
Stablehand

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   Posted 1/16/2008 10:12 PM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I certainly have reservations about using Osprey books for research for, say, historical fiction, but they're good for the fantasy writer. There are useful ideas for worldbuilding.


Edwin

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Nik
Adept



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   Posted 1/22/2008 1:27 PM (GMT -4)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
For those interested, if you sign up for the Osprey newsletter, they'll occasionally send you a 25% off coupon. That almost brings the price down to used bookstore levels.


Nicholas Ian Hawkins

Forthcoming
"Knowledge and Dust," in Magic & Mechanica, from Ricasso Press, Winter 2008

Published
"Relativity," in FLASHSHOT, September 28, 2007


Visit my website, Trampler of Beautiful Phrases, at nihawkins.wordpress.com

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