Attila and the Nomad Hordes: Warfare on the Eurasian Steppes 4Th-12th Centuries (Elite Series, No. 30)

Rating:
Summary: Nomads of Central Asia
Review: Even if only the tip of the iceberg, Nicolle's work is certainly enjoyable for readers with only a casual interest in the subject. Despite its title, this book deals not particularly with the Huns, but with the Turco-Mongol nomads of Central Asia in general (the author adds in the forest peoples of Siberia). The influence that these hardy horsemen of the steppes had on military science and even chivalry was staggering. These people, it would seem, practically invented warfare. Even the oath on the sword taken by European knights was apparently borrowed from the nomad Turks. Nicolle's general discussion is followed by profiles of the nomad groups between the Huns and Genghis Khan (Kipchaks, Bulgars, Seljuks, Karakhanids), including cultural details (they were no mere barbarians). The color drawings were beautiful and intricate, right down to the tiny brass bells decorating the Turkic warrior's spear. Overall, it's a colorful and fascinating introduction to the nomads of Central Asia.

Rating:
Summary: exctiing but kind of supeficial
Review: I like osprey books thoughit's a sortof short but always contains many useful text,maps, beautiful plates particulary MR.McBride's ones .this book explains well about history and thier influence to Western History nevertheless, can not provide high level of information. but anyway,it's worth readingand it probably helps you .

Rating:
Summary: Just the tip of the iceberg
Review: Osprey books are mainly aimed at wargamers who who want to know what their armies should look like - hence the emphasis is on glossy exciting artwork. This book certainly scores in that department, and it's also well written & researched, as you'd expect from David Nicolle. He digs up a number of surprising & unusual details, eg the fact that the Huns had become an infantry army by the time they invaded Gaul & the Pechenegs being described as "clean-shaven" (funny, I thought they were famous for their shaggy beards!) Weak points include a rather amateur-looking map of the steppes which doesn't really help you to follow the text & some very poor & unclear photos (often a problem with Osprey). I was disappointed too by the lack of info about wagon laagers & (Pecheneg) war wagons. But I guess the main problem is that its trying to cover so much in too few pages. Obviously nobody's going to write an Osprey book just on the Pechenegs or the Khazars etc but it can be quite frustrating to read abook that only gives "the tip of the iceberg".