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Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Armies of the World 1854-1914

Whilst I was reading REPORT ON FOREIGN MANOEUVRES 1912, I was reminded of a book I bought many years ago, David Woodward’s ARMIES OF THE WORLD 1854-1914.

The book starts with a brief military history of the period between the Crimean War and the start of the Great War, followed by chapters that deal with the main armies of the World:

  • Introduction
  • Conscript Armies of Europe
    • Prussia & Germany
    • France
    • Austria-Hungary
    • Russia
    • Turkey
    • Italy
  • Volunteer Armies
    • United Kingdom
    • India
    • United States
  • Armies of the Far East
    • Japan
    • China
  • The deterrent that works: Switzerland
  • The view from 1899

Each national section comprises a general history of each nation's army followed by short sections that cover the following:

  • History and traditions
  • Strength*
  • System of recruiting*
  • Terms of service*
  • Officers*
  • Organization
  • Infantry#
  • Cavalry#
  • Artillery#
  • Engineers#
  • Reserves and Territorial army (France only)
  • Landwehr and Landsturm (Austria-Hungary only)
  • Cossacks (Russia only)
  • Mobile militia and Territorial militia (Italy only)
  • Militia and Volunteers (United Kingdom only)
  • Army service corps (Switzerland only)

* These are not covered in the chapter about China.

# These are not covered in the chapters about India, the United States, Japan, and China.

ARMIES OF THE WORLD 1854-1914 was written by David Woodward and published in 1978 by Sidgwick & Jackson.

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28 comments:

  1. jhnptrqnWednesday, March 10, 2021 10:54:00 am

    I bought a copy of this book; many of the pages are blank, as it must have run out of ink while printing my copy. Of course I got it next to nothing. Still, I must now look for another copy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 10:59:00 am

      Jhnptrqn,

      I’m surprised that your copy made it through quality control!

      I bought my copy over forty years ago, and have no idea how I would find another copy ... so good luck finding one.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. UnknownSunday, March 14, 2021 4:25:00 pm

      I picked up my copy in Foyles (pre modernisation) it was on the wrong shelf looking battered and neglected and unpriced so the helpful gent in "Wars and Sport"(3rd floor) simply scribbled something derisory on the ticket that had to be taken to the cashier. Hope you're keeping well,
      Tony.

      Delete
    3. Robert (Bob) CorderySunday, March 14, 2021 4:40:00 pm

      Unknown (Tony),

      Ah, the joys of the old, pre-modernisation Foyles! I used to enjoy going there and ‘discovering’ hidden (or lost) gems. It is where I found my copy of Joseph Morschauser’s book ... on the wrong shelf!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    4. UnknownSunday, March 14, 2021 9:24:00 pm

      It was fascinating wasn't it ? I once found a copy of the Blandford (I think) uniforms of the American Civil War still carrying a pre-decimal price !
      Tony.

      Delete
    5. Robert (Bob) CorderySunday, March 14, 2021 9:30:00 pm

      Unknown (Tony),

      I used to spend hours in Foyles, and always came away with at least one book that I hadn’t expected to find.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Steve J.Wednesday, March 10, 2021 11:32:00 am

    I've never heard of this book Bob, but it looks to be useful. Amazon have them from around £5, so may buy one in the future as a 'present'. Too many books in the pile at the moment awaiting to be read, otherwise I would have succumbed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 1:58:00 pm

      Steve J.,

      I had no idea that the book was still available to buy ... but at £5.00 for a second-hand copy doesn’t sound unreasonable.

      Too many books? You wouldn’t be a proper wargamer if you didn’t have too many!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Steve J.Wednesday, March 10, 2021 6:15:00 pm

      SWMBO is under the distinct impression that I already have too many books as it is!

      Delete
    3. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 6:36:00 pm

      Steve J.,

      I think that all SWMBOs think that!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. ElliesdadWednesday, March 10, 2021 12:48:00 pm

    Back in the old days there were “remainder” bookshops that often sold books like this. My copy of The Universal Soldier also had “blank pages”. I suspect the dodgy copies were then sold off through the remainder bookshops, with the “proper quality” books being sold at full price through more traditional bookshops.
    Regards,
    Geoff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 2:34:00 pm

      Elliesdad (Geoff),

      I can remember when almost every reasonably sized shopping centre had a remaindered book shop. Nowadays, THE WORKS seems to be the only chain of such shops left standing ... but I’ve never bought a book from them that had blank pages that shouldn’t have been empty!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. ElliesdadWednesday, March 10, 2021 12:51:00 pm

    There are numerous copies of Armies of the World on eBay. Of course, it may be worthwhile just checking first that all the pages are good (I.e. no blank/empty pages).
    Regards,
    Geoff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 2:39:00 pm

      Elliesdad (Geoff),

      One of the problems with buying books online is not being able to check their quality before you complete your purchase.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. Ed MWednesday, March 10, 2021 1:18:00 pm

    Thanks, Bob: I had seen this text somewhere before, but this post gives me a bit more insight into it--I'll be picking it up. I'll return the favor by bringing your attention to several similar contemporary references, both available online for free: Armies of Today, 1893 and A Precis of Modern Tactics,1892

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 2:31:00 pm


      Ed M,

      I hope that you find the book useful.

      I’ll take a look at the two books that you recommend. They sound right up my street.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. dalethewargamerWednesday, March 10, 2021 2:05:00 pm

    Thank you Bob. This book comes at a perfect time for me since I am creating my own Generic Wars "system" (which I've begun to described in my highly-read blog dalethewargamer) loosely-based on this period of time and the armies in it. Just sent off for a used copy on Amazon. I have yet to ever get a bad used copy of any book.

    Actually, whoever reads my blog will be the first ever reader! Be the first and win a free subscription to the blog ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 5:29:00 pm

      Dalethewargamer,

      I’m sure that you’ll find lots of useful background information in the book for your imagi-nation project.

      Since you made some comments on my blog a few days back, I’ve visited and read your blog, and I now follow it using Feedly.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. dalethewargamerWednesday, March 10, 2021 11:23:00 pm

      Thanks so much Bob. Hopefully I can start to beef up the blog after awhile. Appreciate the support

      Delete
    3. Robert (Bob) CorderyThursday, March 11, 2021 9:06:00 am

      Dalethewargamer,

      Glad to have been of some help and support. I look forward to seeing how your project progresses.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. Tony AdamsWednesday, March 10, 2021 5:52:00 pm

    I am surprised nobody has mentioned the book FUTILE EXERCISE?. Published in 2018 it tells the story of the British Army's preparations for war between 1902 and 1914 including the manoeuvres of 1912.An excellent book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyWednesday, March 10, 2021 6:07:00 pm

      Tony Adams,

      I have a copy on order ... and will be writing a review after it has arrived!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  8. Tony AdamsThursday, March 11, 2021 4:36:00 pm

    Yes always good to review newly read books. I have been doing book reviews on my blog every week for the past couple of years. Hopefully they help to spread the word and encourage "real" book sales in this world of digital stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderyThursday, March 11, 2021 5:13:00 pm

      Tony Adams,

      I’ve had this book for more than forty years, but had not looked at it for quite a few. However, as soon as I began to read and review the books about the 1912 British Army and foreign army manoeuvres, it came to mind ... hence the review!

      I still love to buy printed books, although I know that a lot of people prefer to buy books in electronic format.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Geordie an Exiled FoGFriday, March 12, 2021 10:59:00 pm

    Nice little (well quite big actually) and I know I have it somewhere!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderySaturday, March 13, 2021 9:37:00 am

      Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      I am really pleased that I rediscovered this gem on my bookshelves!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. tradgardmastareSaturday, March 13, 2021 11:01:00 am

    I had this years ago, purged out when moving moons ago. It is a splendid read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert (Bob) CorderySaturday, March 13, 2021 11:37:00 am

      Tradgardmastare,

      My copy avoid the various book purges I have had over the years ... and I’m very pleased that it did!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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