Napoleon's Cuirassiers & Carabiniers (Men-At-Arms Series, No 64)

I found this book very good. With all of the man at arms series, it is refreshing to have books on very specific subjects. There are a lot of details, even covering descriptions even as minute on the addition or removal of pockets on uniforms. While tidbits such as that are not fun to reason in honesty, its a reliable source to have if you want to fully imagine what these units would have looked like, either in the imagination, or in reenactment and art. I can only imagine the amount of hours that went into sorting through what to actually put in this book.Also appreciated is the occasional mention of period sources and mention of when sometimes, we just don't know certain things, and probably will never know for sure.This book could benefit from a glossary defining terms regarding parts of the uniform, however.For the used price of $7, absolutely worth the money.

This is my second copy, first original is worn from use, so Iordered a used second, not a reprint,on reprint color on plates are lost, Great for history buff or reanactor .

informative

The best thing about the series of Osprey titles on Napoleon's cavalry (Cuirassiers & Carabiniers, Dragoons & Lancers, Hussars, Chasseurs) are the wonderful uniform plates by the late Angus McBride, which reach just the right balance of naturalism, clarity and expression. McBride is (in my opinion) by far the best of the illustrators to have worked on this series.Bukhari's text follows the pattern of other books he wrote for Arms & Armour, a rundown of uniform developments followed by potted unit histories. Though fascinating reads for their time (first released in mid-1970's) much of the factual information can be easily found elsewhere nowadays, and can even be a bit dry, as it goes into great detail about the uniforms; what the buttons were made of, the styles and colours of the trumpet chords, the gloves, even the different angles and styles of the hats and helmets. Interesting, but not fascinating.Where the books really fall down is its lack of coverage of the Revolutionary War period uniforms. Bukhari and McBride jumping in at 1803 introduce us to the uniforms of the time, but this is a great shame, as Napoleonic uniforms developed from the wars of the 1790's.In all a great book. I have owned this copy twenty plus years, and it has not only provided me with many hours of enjoyable reading, but it has aided me greatly in painting my Napoleonic Wargame Miniatures, and I could never... would never part with it willingly.

This books provides a excellent insight on the France's most dreaded cavalry units: the cuirassiers (armored cavalry). A lot of good illustrations from the period. It provides a good deal of information, unlike other books on this series, about the cuirassier's tactics and organization as well. A correct (and cheap!) source of information for modellers and people interested.

What I like about this book and other books in this series is I always find something that I didn’t know about these units and soldiers.

This Osprey offering is another excellent one from them. Filled with great drawings, maps and facts.

Good value book. The coloured plates are very good, the information is very good also.

Really good read, with great illustrations.

great reference book for inspiration when painting miniatures