Eagles over the Alps: Suvorov in Italy and Switzerland, 1799

Rating:
Summary: Editorial gaffs hurt image of solid work
Review: Duffy obviously knows his subject well (5 stars), but his efforts are substantially compromised by what can only be described as poor editorial efforts at the publisher, which results in numerous typos that diminishes the value of Duffy's work. The dust jacket even contains typographical errors, including a misspelling of another title offered by the publisher. Readers should not be made to suffer this way.

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but still recommended
Review: First the bad news - the typos in this book were atrocious. For the price you are asked to pay the publishers should have been able to pay a proofreader to go through the book and correct the glaring errors. An excellent work was given the appearance of something rushed into print to make a buck.

Having said that, Eagles Over The Alps is still worth having, both for the military historian, and for the wargamer. The fascinating history of the Italian and Swiss campaigns of one of the period's premier generals is well treated. Napoleon deservedly overshadows all other military men of his time, but Suvorov is arguably the better of the two generals in 1799, and this book helps to bring his career out of the shadows. Especially helpful for the wargamer are the line maps and orders of battle with detailed unit strengths. This book contains information that will be difficult to find anywhere else, and presents it in a lively style that is constantly engaging. Even with its flaws, this is still a good book.

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but still recommended
Review: First the bad news - the typos in this book were atrocious. For the price you are asked to pay the publishers should have been able to pay a proofreader to go through the book and correct the glaring errors. An excellent work was given the appearance of something rushed into print to make a buck.

Having said that, Eagles Over The Alps is still worth having, both for the military historian, and for the wargamer. The fascinating history of the Italian and Swiss campaigns of one of the period's premier generals is well treated. Napoleon deservedly overshadows all other military men of his time, but Suvorov is arguably the better of the two generals in 1799, and this book helps to bring his career out of the shadows. Especially helpful for the wargamer are the line maps and orders of battle with detailed unit strengths. This book contains information that will be difficult to find anywhere else, and presents it in a lively style that is constantly engaging. Even with its flaws, this is still a good book.

Rating:
Summary: Wow, Suvorov is really great.
Review: I didn't know General Suvorov until I bought this book. What a fascinating person he was. Suvorov never lost a single battle, this is admirable. I like the maps, and the objectivity of the author. The graphics are OK. In my opinion this book is one of the most interesting, and covers subjects almost unknown for English speaking readers. Good job.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book bad editor
Review: I have been interested in Field-Marshal Suvorov for years. The writing is wonderful and insightful but the publisher Emperor's Press should review their policies. This is not the first title that seems to have been rushed to press without basic editing. My background on the topic is not as extensive as Mr. Nafziger, but I would suggest he read Art of victory; the life and achievements of Field-Marshal Suvorov, 1729-1800 By Philip Longworth, published 1965.

Rating:
Summary: Superb! A must buy for the military scholar.
Review: Two years ago I had the pleasure of walking the battlefields of Novi, Devil's Bridge, Moutatal, and Trebbia with Mr. Duffy and now that I've read his book it is almost as good as being there again.

The book may have all the scholarly trappings, but it is highly readable and weaves an incredible story of battle against man and the elements. It is well illustrated with original art work, mumerous photographs of battlefields, mountain passes, and other points of significance, plus it contains a large number of excellent maps.

It is, to my knowledge (which is sigificant in this area) the only book on Suvorov written in English in the last 100 years. It covers an obscure period of the French Revolutionary wars and the battle of one of Russia's greatest Generals. If you are interested in warfare in the late 18th Century this is the work for you.

George F. Nafziger