Osprey Essential Histories SC (2001) comic books 2001

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "The Crusades!" By David Nicolle. Born amid immense suffering and bloodshed, the Kingdom of Jerusalem remained a battlefield for almost 200 years. The Crusades gave rise to the Military Orders of the Templars and Hospitallers, and were a backdrop to the careers of some of history's most famous leaders including Richard 'The Lionheart' and Saladin. On occasion the savagery of the Crusaders left their opponents reeling, creating frictions that survived for more than 700 years. At the same time, as this book lavishly illustrates, art, architecture and learning all benefited from new knowledge the Crusaders brought back from the East. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. "The Crimean War!" By John Sweetman. This bitter war between Russia and Turkey, aided by Britain and France, was the setting for the stuff of legends. This book details the gallant yet suicidal Charge of the Light Brigade, now immortalised in film: in the words of Tennyson, 'Into the Valley of Death rode the Six Hundred'. It relates the reports made by the first real war correspondant, William Russell of the London Times - reports which served only to highlight the army's problems - and memorialises the heroic deeds of Florence Nightingale, who struggled to save young men from the most formidable enemy in the Crimean War: not the Russians, but cholera. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $17.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $6.00

Add to cart Near Mint $6.00

Volume 3 - 1st printing. "The Napoleonic Wars Part 1!" By Todd Fisher. While Napoleon prepared his army, on the coast of France, for an invasion of England that would never come, Russia and Austria prepared to move against his rear. Napoleon turned on the allies and crushed them in one of history's greatest campaigns. The following year, he met the legendary army of Frederick the Great and annihilated it completely. The year after it was Russia's turn again, and though the northern winter was the major foe, it could not save the Tsar. The world, and warfare, would never be the same again. The Empires of Russia, Austria, Prussia and Britain were not weak. How had Napoleon done this? Why were his methods, and his army, different? Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $14.95.

Add to cart Fine $7.20

Volume 4 - 1st printing. "The American Civil War Part 1!" By Gary Gallagher. The United States saw long-simmering sectional tensions erupt into fighting at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in April 1861, beginning what would become the most cataclysmic military struggle in the western world between Waterloo and the First World War. This volume focuses on events in the Virginia theater during the conflict's first two years, highlighting Union and Confederate strengths and weaknesses, leadership and strategy on each side, and the ways in which events on the battlefield influenced politics, diplomacy, and debates about emancipation. Osprey Essential Histories are complete yet concise studies of each major conflict in history. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $14.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $6.00

Volume 5 - 1st printing. "The American Civil War Part 3!" By Robert Krick. Great battles and famous commanders dominated the military history of the Civil War in the Eastern Theater during the period 1863-1865. This book includes revealing details of the clash at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the costliest battle ever waged in the Western Hemisphere, but, contrary to common belief, puts forward the theory that it was not a great turning point in the war. This book also examines the events that led to Robert E Lee accepting generous terms of surrender from Ulysses S Grant, bringing the war in Virginia to a close. A fascinating look at this crucial point in the American Civil War. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $14.95.

Volume 6 - 1st printing. "The Seven Years War!" By Daniel Marston. The closest thing to total war before World War One, the Seven Years' War was fought in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and India with major consequences for all parties involved. This fascinating book is the first to truly review the grand strategies of the combatants and examine the differing styles of warfare used in the many campaigns. These ranged from the large-scale battles and sieges of the European front to the ambush and skirmish tactics used in the forests of North America. Daniel Marston's engaging narrative is supported by official war papers, personal diaries and memoirs, and official reports. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $17.95.

Volume 7 - 1st printing. "The French Revolutionary Wars!" By Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Europe's great powers formed two powerful coalitions against France, yet force of numbers, superior leadership and the patriotic fervour of France's citizen-soldiers not only defeated each in turn, but closed the era of small, professional armies fighting for limited political objectives. This period produced commanders whose names remain a by-word for excellence in leadership to this day, Napoleon and Nelson. From Italy to Egypt Napoleon demonstrated his strategic genius and mastery of tactics in battles including Rivoli, the Pyramids and Marengo. Nelson's spectacular sea victories at the Nile and Copenhagen were foretastes of a century of British naval supremacy. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $17.95.

Volume 8 - 1st printing. "The Korean War!" By Carter Malkasian. The Korean War was a significant turning point in the Cold War. This book explains how the conflict in a small peninsula in East Asia had a tremendous impact on the entire international system and the balance of power between the two superpowers, America and Russia. Through the conflict, the West demonstrated its resolve to thwart Communist aggression and the armed forces of China, the Soviet Union and the United States came into direct combat for the only time during the Cold War. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.

Volume 9 - 1st printing. "The Napoleonic Wars Part 2!" By Todd Fisher. In 1808 Napoleon dominated Europe, but the peace was not to survive for long. Todd Fisher continues his detailed account of the Napoleonic Wars with Austria's attack against Napoleon in 1809. Despite being defeated at Aspern-Essling, Napoleon rallied his forces and emerged triumphant at Wagram. With glorious victory behind him Napoleon now turned his attention to Russia and invaded in 1812. Yet the army was not the Grand Armee of old, and even the capture of Moscow availed him nothing. The foe remained elusive, the decisive battle remained unfought. This book tells the full story of the now legendary retreat from Moscow, as the fighting force that had vanquished Europe perished in the snows of the Russian winter. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $14.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $6.00

Add to cart Near Mint $6.00

Volume 10 - 1st printing. "The American Civil War Part 2!" By Stephen Engle. The American Civil War's vast Western Theater witnessed enormously important military campaigning during the period 1861 - 1863. This book, the third in a four-volume series, examines the geographical, logistical and strategic factors that shaped fighting in this theater, as well as assessing officers who played key roles . It covers the story of Ulysses S Grant's important capture of rebel positions before marching south to win the battle of Shiloh, as well as that of Albert Sidney Johnston, the pride of the Confederacy. Finally, it details the dramatic events of the siege of Vicksburg, the Confederates final fortress. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $14.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $6.00

Volume 11 - 1st printing. "The American Civil War Part 4!" By Joseph T. Glatthaar. Union military forces suffered momentary defeat followed by sustained success in the Western Theater during the second half of the American Civil War. Following the Union's defeat at Chickamauga, Ulysses S. Grant took command at Chattanooga and orchestrated a striking victory which paved the way for a Union advance against Atlanta, a confederate city second in importance only to Richmond. This book traces the events that surrounded the capture of Atlanta, followed by Sherman's famous campaign of destruction through the southern interior which culminated in April 1865 with the surrender of the last major Confederate field army at Durham Station, North Carolina. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $14.95.

Volume 12 - 1st printing. "Campaigns of the Norman Conquest!" By Matthew Bennett. This book provides a full introduction to the Norman Conquest, an event which resulted in dramatic changes to the nation's aristocracy, church and administration. It brought a new language and cultural influences and revolutionised military architecture with the introduction of the castle. This profound impact was not brought about as the result of a single battle and it took a five-year war for William to establish control over his new kingdom. The campaigns are studied in detail, with maps showing how William's energy and strategic intelligence enabled him to defeat his formidable opponents and create a new order. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $17.95.

Volume 72 - 1st printing. "The Jacobite Rebellion 1745-46!" By Gregory Fremont-Barnes. The Jacobite Rebellion was the final attempt of the House of Stuart to re-establish itself on the British throne and it saw the death throes of the independent martial prowess of the Highland clans. No event in British history has been more heavily romanticized, but Gregory Fremont-Barnes succeeds in stripping away the myths to reveal the key events of this crucial period. From questions of dynastic succession to religious dominance, the events leading to the Rebellion are carefully explained and analyzed, drawing upon a host of primary research. From the landing of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the battle of Culloden, this book offers a complete overview of the Rebellion, complete with detailed maps and beautiful period illustrations. Softcover, 96 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $19.95.