28mm British in the Napoleonic Gallery

I've added a few shots of a couple British battalions in the Napoleonic Gallery.  Next up will be some French reinforcements with a slight twist to the usual uniform...

Book: 'The Cognitive Challenge of War: Pussia 1806' by Peter Paret

I picked up this book to take along during a recent vacation for the simple fact that, as a slim volume (only 143 pages, before notes), I knew it would not weigh a ton in our baggage. (We take and buy far too many books on our travels as it is, and while I am not a great fan of e-readers they do have their place!) 

My first introduction to Peter Paret's work was during my grad studies when I was reviewing his excellent translation and analysis of Clausewitz's classic 'On War'.  Paret is a specialist on the interconnections of 18th /19th century art, literature and warfare with particular insight to their effects on military theorists of the day, namely Jomini and Clausewitz.  Though sometimes a challenge to read his insight to the social and political environments of the Napoleonic period is very insightful and interesting.

In his book Paret examines how the crushing defeat of Prussia by France in 1806 sent a shock wave  throughout Prussian society, and how these reactive changes were not only experienced within the Prussian military establishment but also through their art, literature, music and poetry. One of the aspects which is  particularly surprising was that there was not a universal revulsion of all things French by Prussians after the Jena/Auerstädt debacle, but instead Paret describes that a significant segment of the Prussian population  welcomed the challenge to their socially-stagnant, hyper-conservative society and almost reveled in the humiliation of the once-arrogant army elites. Paret also discusses the impact that these social changes - often fueled by the pressures of the Revolution and  persistent warfare - had upon the military doctrine of both France and Prussia. He illustrates how these violent changes allowed military intellectuals such as Scharnhorst, Jomini and Clausewitz to flourish as they were tasked to reform their armies to better reflect the times. Finally, Paret describes what is perhaps as the cruelest twist of all: That the phoenix-like successes of the newly reformed Prussian army (from 1813 through to 1870), with its cutting-edge Great General Staff and access to conscripted manpower, re-created a military super-elite, spurring the often quoted remark that, "Prussia is not a country with an army, but an army with a country".  Sadly this 'army with a country' would play a critical if tragic role nearly a century later in August 1914.

It is through books like this that I feel quite humbled in my understanding of the Napoleonic period. I highly recommend this book as it helps to place in perspective the causes and reactions of the battles we so often regard in isolation.

The Cognitive Challenge of War: Prussia 1806
Peter Paret
Princeton University Press,
September 8, 2009
ISBN: 0691135819

New Additions to the Napoleonic Gallery

Well, after a mad scramble to the finish-line, the Painting Challenge issued by Dallas of The Fawcett Ave Conscripts has finally concluded. There are more detailed photos and descriptions of my final entries in the 'Napoleonic Gallery' section.

This friendly competition was a great impetus for all of us to get a load of stuff completed. For myself, I think I ended up assembling/painting/basing around 160 Napoleonic models in a little over two months which, for me, is remarkable as typically I'm  a pretty slow painter. For a better sense of it here is a shot of the stuff I got done since around mid-October.

Book: 'The Penninsular War Atlas' by Colonel Nick Lipscombe

I have been eager to get a copy of this book since first seeing a notice of it during our trip to Portugal this past autumn. So this Christmas I was lucky enough to find a copy under the tree gifted to me by our dog 'Caleb' (a very sensible hound who obviously listens to his mistress).   I thought I'd provide a few first impressions of the book for those who may be interested.

This is an impressive book, exhibiting very good craftsmanship throughout. In its slipcase it is 12 1/4" x 10 1/8" and weighs around 6.2 lbs. It is a stitched cloth-bound hardcover with 384 pages, including introduction, body, index and notes. The front cover features a colour print (Wellington in Spain by Robert Alexander Hillingford) which while nice in of itself seems to 'tart up' the book to excess. But this is just my opinion as I prefer a more understated art design.

Any who have see Greenhill's excellent Esposito/Elting 'A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars' will be struck by the close similarities between that work and this especially regarding the map layouts and structure of the narrative.

If there was one thing that especially impressed me with this book is that it takes great pains to portray the entire conflict, with all it's actors, not limiting itself to the typical anglo-centric view that has been so prevalent. As such the author draws heavily on both Spanish and Portuguese primary and secondary sources which gives a much more cohesive and balanced view of the Peninsular campaigns. Several notable historians were involved in the creation of the book, notably Charles Esdaile  (who's own work has provided us the best recent history of the Peninsular war), which lends greater credence to the work as a whole.

So, is it worth the $86 CAD pricetag? Yes, definitely - especially for a  research library or for someone who is a dyed-in-the-wool Napoleonic Wars enthusiast/wargamer. The book helps to place in both a geographical and chronological context a very complex and diverse war. I believe it fills a long neglected niche and will probably be considered a seminal work for years to come.


The Peninsular War Atlas
Colonel Nick Lipscombe
Osprey Publishing,
November 23, 2010
ISBN: 1849083649

Note: Both Amazon.com and Chapters.ca currently have the book deeply discounted (37% and 34% respectively) so take advantage of these promotions.

New Entry for 'Painting Challenge'

Back in October Dallas from 'The Fawcett Avenue Conscripts' (my old and revered gaming group in Winnipeg) had the great idea of issuing a challenge to see who could paint the most hobby stuff by New Years Day. (Check out the Challenge here.) Well, the competition has been fierce with around nine of us going at it hammer and tongs (or primer and brush) to see who gets final bragging rights. Currently I'm running fourth behind the leaders with about a 40 point spread, and since we are in the last week of the Challenge I'm madly trying to get some stuff done to see if I can pip my way onto the podium. 

Anyway, here is my latest entry for some points: A 28mm Napoleonic French Line Battery using Perry  castings. In terms of 'Republic to Empire' this represents four 6 pounders and two 5.5 inch howitzers. I will be beefing this battery up with another gun/crew and ultimately each will have a trail of limbers and caissons arrayed behind. Nonetheless, this is enough to establish as a 'unit' for now. So 1 point for each foot figure and 2 points for each gun = 18 points for the pot.

Back to the hobby bench for the Big Push!