Jonathan Sutherland

The Europa Militaria Specials are wonderful books to dream about a different era. The success of the, apparently out-of-print, first title in the series, also devoted to the American Civil War, has led to the production of two new special titles, one for each side. Living history photography often suffers from enthusiasm not matched by the relevant skills. This is fortunately not the case. Sutherland is a splendid photographer with an excellent eye for composition and balance. The show more photographs of Confederate soldiers do not quite match the outstanding quality of the Union title but are still good.

Another important aspect is that all re-enactors are British. Apparently, there are a thousand re-enactors per side living across the channel who fight to preserve the union or their "rats". An advantage of using British specimens is fewer plus-sized soldiers (the age distortion remains). The text is usually historically correct. The inclusion of a historically uncertain "black Confederate" was, in my view, a bad decision. Overall, highly recommended. show less

The Europa Militaria Specials are wonderful books to dream about a different era. The success of the, apparently out-of-print, first title in the series, also devoted to the American Civil War, has led to the production of two new special titles, one for each side. Living history photography often suffers from enthusiasm not matched by the relevant skills. This is fortunately not the case. Sutherland is a splendid photographer with an excellent eye for composition and balance. Another show more important aspect is that all re-enactors are British. Apparently, there are a thousand re-enactors per side living across the channel who fight to preserve the union or their "rats".

An advantage of using British specimens is fewer plus-sized soldiers (the age distortion remains). The text is usually historically correct, despite small blunders (the Napoleon gun is not a "Napoleonic-era design" but takes its name from Napoleon III who used to be a Bernese artillery captain before his emperorship. The gun's designation M1857 hints at its more recent origin.). Overall, highly recommended. show less

Very rarely am I this disappointed by a book. Disjointed, poorly organized and so "cookie cutter" as to be almost lackadaisical. Recommended only for the most die-hard historian of the Vichy and then caveat emptor is the rule of the day. Not recommended.