Landsknechts (Men-At-Arms Series, 58)

Rating:
Summary: Well done
Review: A good overview of the history and organisation of the German Landsknechts by Douglas Miller. The chapters: Organisation -- Tactics and formation - Weapons -- Artillery and equipment -- The campaigns. The book is illustrated by G.A. Embeton.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Start, but not the Last Word
Review: If you're looking for a single book to start someone off on the path towards understanding everyone's favorite multi-colored mercenaries, this is the book for you. Seriously though, it covers a lot of material that the uninitiated wouldn't even know to look for, and provides an excellent starting point for further research.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent introduction!
Review: If you're looking for a single book to start someone off on the path towards understanding everyone's favorite multi-colored mercenaries, this is the book for you. Seriously though, it covers a lot of material that the uninitiated wouldn't even know to look for, and provides an excellent starting point for further research.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Start, but not the Last Word
Review: The Landsknechts, by Douglas Miller, is a good basic introduction to these mercenary soldiers and campfollowers of the Holy Roman Empire during the Renaissance. As its original publication was in 1976, its scholarship is understandably outdated. It serves well as an all-around overview of the organization, weapons, tactics, battles, and lifestyles of the landsknechte, and would be a good volume for study by those with a passing interest in the subject. If you are serious about studying, reenacting, or re-creating the landsknechte, I would recommend that you read this book, along with the other landsknecht-oriented Osprey books, and then seek out more serious and scholarly works, especially those of more recent publication. -Anjabeth

Rating:
Summary: The Landsknechts
Review: The Landsknechts, by Douglas Miller, part of Osprey's Men-at-Arms series is a very useful little book. Despite the book's short length ( only 40 pp ), it is nevertheless packed with useful information on the history of the Landsknechts, as well as their structure and organization. Especially satisfying to this reviewer were the 8 pages of color plates, illustrated by G. A. Embleton, which contain illustrations of men of various ranks and positions within this mercenary company, such as dopplesoldner, captain, standard-bearer, sutleress, etc, as well as illustrations of several battle flags. This book, like all the books in this series is very attractively done.The book has served me well as a handy reference guide, as have the other Medieval/Renaissance books in this series. This is a very well-done series. Lee Freeman

Rating:
Summary: A superior Osprey installment
Review: This Osprey title covers the elite corps of Holy Roman Emperors Maximillian I and Charles V. Having recognized the puissance of the Swiss mercenaries that brought the mounted knights of Europe to their knees, Maximillian copied their methods. Close order drill with polearms, supported by small arms and artillery. Because of the focus, this book recommends itself over other less useful tomes in the Osprey series. I deducted a star for the once again pathetic maps included. Otherwise worthwhile.