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5.0 out of 5 stars
Gray Doom, May 19 2001
This is an excellent book and reference for the American Army in the War of 1812, America's true 'forgotten war.' The author, a recognized uniform authority and historian, has done an excellent job within the guidelines of the Osprey series and has produced a volume that should be owned by anyone with an interest in the War of 1812.The color illustrations are excellently done, as well as accurate, chronicling an army of amateurs, both on the enlisted and the officer level, that, through defeat and hardship, grew into a professional force that held at bay, and defeated, 'Wellington's Invincibles', and saved the United States as an independent nation. All of the combat arms are covered, rifle dress, summer and fatigue dress, as well as winter uniform and the various differences in uniform of the Regular infantry, due both to lack of regulation colored cloth and the various changes in uniform during the war. The black and white illustrations, mostly of original uniform items, greatly aid the historian and researcher, and the text definitely shows that the author has done his homework. Both primary and secondary sources are listed on the last page, demonstrating the depth of research that has gone into this valuable volume. It is definitely a work of historic scholarship and not just a 'picture book.' It should be noted that this book covers the Regulars, and not the militia or the better trained, uniformed, and disciplined volunteer militia. Hopefully, the author will also do another Osprey covering these troops to round out the study. This work is highly recommended and is both solid uniformology and military history.
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