by Ciro Paoletti, illustrated by Bruno Mugnai
Warwick, Eng.: Helion / Philadelphia: Casemate, 2020. Pp. 340+.
Illus., maps, plans, plates, notes, biblio. $59.95 paper. ISBN: 1913336492
War in Italy in the Early Eighteenth Century
If you are interested in the War of Spanish Succession, then I humbly suggest you get this book. It's the first in English on the subject and so the chances are you won't have anything similar in your library. It's a large volume, profusely illustrated by the talented Italian artist Mugnai, who does about a dozen or so pages of colour uniform and flag plates.
The northern Italian theatre of operations was considered of great importance by both the French and the Hapsburg Empire who sent their best generals to the region.
I have to say before I read this book my knowledge on the theatre was limited to the siege of Turin (June 2-7 September 1706) but this book has much more depth. The numerous sieges and battles are covered in great detail. The diplomatic ebb and flow is also covered but this is a military history title above all, and so would suit students of history or wargamers wishing to expand their knowledge of the period.
First published on the Wars of Louis Quatorze blog (http://warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.com/ ) on Feb. 24, 2021, this review is used with the kind permission of blogmaster Mitchard,
Our Reviewer: For well over a decade, under his online persona “Ralphus”, Mr. Mitchard has maintained the Wars of Louis Quatroze: A Military History of the 17th Century and the 18th Century blog (http://warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.com/), a good place for anyone interested in warfare in the period.
Note: A volume in the series “Century of the Soldier”, Italy, Piedmont and the War of Spanish Succession is also available in several e-editions.
StrategyPage reviews are published in cooperation with The New York Military Affairs Symposium (www.nymas.org)
~~~~~~