by RNS | Apr 19, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Andrew Long, Secrets of the Cold War (Pen & Sword, 2022)
Mention the Cold War and what comes readily to mind is a stand-off between the two superpowers, USA and USSR. Both armed to the teeth, guarding themselves against the other’s imminent attack, while their proxies fought small wars across the globe. Beneath the surface, however, both sides worked feverishly to determine the capabilities of the other through clandestine intelligence activities. In this book, Andrew Long surveys many of those operations and the warriors who fought in the shadows.
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Long opens with tables that, while useful, could have better served as appendices: a list of Dramatis Personae, a glossary of abbreviations, and a basic chronology of events. His narrative begins in the Stalin era with a survey of Soviet intelligence and the quest for atomic weapons. The Soviets deployed the Rosenberg network among others to boost their atomic knowledge, quite easily too, so it seems because the US and UK were shocked when the USSR conducted their first atomic detonation. The traitor Klaus Fuchs leads Long’s British contingent of spies into the 1950s and 1960s. It took a while, but the Soviet spy rings began to fall apart when a defector in Canada exposed them. Then came the brilliant counter-intelligence work of the Venona programme that finally dismantled the rings, though Long notes that some high profile spies escaped detection, and that the whole episode was a remarkable success for Stalin.
A relatively lengthy biography of British spy George Blake kicks off a new phase of the Cold War intelligence battle. His name will always be linked to the mind-boggling Berlin tunnel operation, though his long prison sentence and subsequent escape have somewhat masked his role in the betrayal and deaths of up to forty people. Long moves on to three cases that exemplified tradecraft, the skills needed for effective intelligence work: the Portland spy ring, the Oleg Penkovsky story, and the Gerald Brooke case. The latter led to UK involvement in spy swaps for the first time. We then move onto a chapter revealing how NATO intelligence operations, including ‘tours’, worked along the blurred lines between east and west from the end of WWII, until the reunification of Germany made them redundant. In his conclusion, Long ties up the loose ends from the stories in his book and reflects on a war played out in the shadows, some of which have yet to reveal their secrets.
They say never trust a book by its cover, or in this case, title. There is very little in Secrets of the Cold War that should be considered as ‘secret’. Indeed, most of what Long includes is well-trodden ground, particularly for readers of a certain age. The emphasis is on the early Cold War for the most part, leading to some curious omissions from the latter period. That said, newcomers to Cold War espionage will find this a fascinating read, even if some of it is a bit dry, and Long’s book should have them reaching for more.
by RNS | Apr 15, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Michal Paradowski, Against the Deluge (Helion, 2022)
In Against the Deluge, Michal Paradowski describes the Polish and Lithuanian armies that fought against the Swedish ‘deluge’ invasion between 1655 and 1660. If you enjoy 17th Century warfare but are unfamiliar with eastern European conflicts, you are in for a treat.
The general reader will be relieved that Paradowski opens with a chronology of the wars followed by a discussion of the sources. This is where Paradowski sets out his stall for what is to come; he intends to fill a wide gap in the sources when it comes to the Commonwealth armies. That begins with a discussion of the Commonwealth’s military system, how the armies were organised, their strength, and recruitment. Unsurprisingly, these varied with the fortunes of war, physically and economically. Paradowski turns to the command of those armies, supported by contemporary illustrations of some gloomy-looking characters. The main formations of the armies come under Paradowski’s gaze, and here we meet the famous Winged Hussars and Cossacks along with more mundane, but no less interesting, units. The use of foreign infantry also receives in-depth coverage, and Paradowski provides full coverage of homegrown contingents. Various aspects of military life receive due attention, then Paradowski moves on to describe how pitched battles were fought, complete with clear maps and contemporary illustrations. He does not overlook the importance of ‘small wars’, irregular fighting often conducted at skirmish level, and siege warfare. Paradowski concludes with an example of a low-level campaign, demonstrating he can write narrative as well as analytic history.
You have to credit Helion and its Century of the Soldier series for bringing in authors to cover niche aspects of 17th Century warfare. In Michal Paradowski, Helion has found a champion for the Polish and Lithuanian armies that brought the rampant Swedes to a halt, though it took a while and many learning experiences before they did. Through his expert selection of source material and a keen eye for what is important, Paradowski covers all you need to know in what must be the definitive text for this subject. He is assisted by the judicious deployment of illustrations and maps and some fine colour plates of soldiers and flags. This is essential reading for students of these wars, but general enthusiasts for 17th Century warfare will enjoy it too.
by RNS | Apr 12, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Lindsay Powell, Bar Kokhba (Pen & Sword, 2021)
Perhaps it is something to do with the seemingly unconquerable might of Imperial Rome that we are perennially fascinated by those leaders and peoples that stood up to them: Boudica, Aminius, and Vercingetorix are names that roll off the tongue. But for most Jewish people, it is the rebel Bar Kokhba who captures their imaginations. In this biography, Lindsay Powell attempts to track him down and examines his fight against his nemesis, the Emperor Hadrian.
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Bar Kokhba led a revolt against the Romans in Judea between 132 and 136 CE in the second great rebellion after the one in 70 CE that ended at Masada. Bar Kokhba’s revolt is less well known because it lacks a single, authoritative source, so Lindsay had to pull together fragments of writing and archaeology to construct his story. He begins with Hadrian, though, and encounters similar source issues. That doesn’t stop Powell from producing a biography of Hadrian and a survey of the empire he inherited. What Hadrian did in Judea comes next as we follow Powell on his journey to Israel. The highlight of Hadrian’s trip was to rebuild Jerusalem as a Roman city, which also proved to be the founding act of Bar Kokhba’s revolt along with alleged restrictions on the Jewish religion. And this is where we meet Bar Kokhba, or Ben Kosiba to give him his correct name.
Powell gets into the weeds, working out who this rebel leader was, or claimed to be, and why he thought he could win where others had failed. Historical precedent suggested guerrilla warfare might work, but it was a long shot at best. Powell describes the Jewish soldiers, including how to become a slinger, then we are into the revolt. This was a well-organised affair, a creation of a state, including an administrative structure and an extensive cave network used for hit-and-run tactics on the Romans. Initial Jewish success met with a Roman ‘shock-and-awe’ campaign that proved ineffectual at first. But anyone who knows Romans, knows they were a redoubtable and methodical oppressor. Powell describes how the pressure told on the rebel state. Bar Kokhba’s last stand came at a small hill town called Betar that the Romans besieged and stormed, though precisely what happened to him is unknown. Then the Roman mopping up operations began with predictable brutality.
Powell reflects on a revolt that had taken over three years and thousands of deaths on both sides to suppress. So many captives were made slaves that the market all but crashed, and Hadrian proscribed many Jewish practices. Bar Kokhba, however, became a legend, the development of which Powell narrates. He muses that Bar Kokhba was a man who lived two lives: his and the one invented for him. To round off his work, Powell adds a ‘places to visit’ guide, a glossary, and a list of place names. Finally, his 30 page bibliography is about as good as it gets.
In Bar Kokhba, Powell has written an ‘in search of’ style familiar to readers of Michael Wood’s historical explorations. For the most part, this is well done, though salacious details of Hadrian’s life made me wonder about their relevance to this story. I suspect also that this style will be marmite for some who will either love it or hate it. I enjoyed following Powell around as he uncovered his story, and he weaves his evidence quite seamlessly into an enjoyable read, which is part history, part travelogue. Powell also brings into play the continuing significance of Bar Kokhba, for good and bad. It is a book that is useful for understanding what happened and why, and why it matters. You cannot ask for much more in a narrative history book.
by RNS | Apr 9, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Robbie MacNiven, British Light Infantryman versus Patriot Rifleman (Osprey, 2023)
In British Light Infantryman versus Patriot Rifleman, Robbie MacNiven zeroes in on a crucial aspect of the American War of Independence, the contest between light troops in the often difficult terrain for regular 18th Century linear warfare. It is an intriguing story, and one that perhaps contains a few surprises for AWI traditionalists.
After introducing us to the development of light infantry in North America, MacNiven surveys the opposing sides in the American Revolution. The Patriots were better on an individual basis partly because they used rifles against the British who carried mostly smoothbores. But the British collectively could reload quicker, were better in close combat, and tended to be more disciplined in battle. The tree-filled battlefields favoured the Patriots, however, though the British don’t seem to have been too far behind in that regard. MacNiven also notes that the Patriots had a better reputation, which caused some disquiet among the British; but as the British light infantry improved, the apprehension became reciprocated.
Having established who these soldiers were and what they could do, MacNiven takes us on a brief journey through three battles where light infantry action proved significant: Harlem Heights, where Virginia Riflemen outflanked and helped repulse the British light infantry; Freeman’s Farm, an exemplary light infantry engagement as both armies jockeyed for position; and Hanging Rock, a significant southern Loyalist defeat at the hands of Patriot Riflemen. MacNiven supports his accounts with excellent maps and illustrations, and his analysis of the three battles provides valuable insight into light infantry tactics. Ultimately, MacNiven declares the contest between Patriot Riflemen and British Light Infantry much closer to a draw than many of the books I’ve read on their combat. As a wee appendix, MacNiven outlines the organisation for the light troops on both sides. And we should add here that he also supplies a very useful bibliography for further reading, and an index!
One criticism of the Osprey Combat series is that it rehashes previous material into a ‘new’ format. That certainly isn’t the case with MacNiven’s book. This is a well-written text that highlights an important aspect of a peculiar 18th Century conflict. That the fighting between Riflemen and Light Infantry was much closer than many may believe is a bit of a surprise, but MacNiven argues his case well in such a relatively slim volume. His text is given the usual Osprey gloss to produce a more than satisfactory addition to the Combat series and your bookshelves.
by RNS | Apr 2, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Michael Fredholm Von Essen, The Shogun’s Soldiers, The Daily Life of Samurai and Soldiers in Edo period Japan, 1603-1721 Volume 1 (2022)
The Shogun’s Soldiers is a fascinating book and one that takes our understanding of Japanese society and the Samurai’s role within it to a new level and makes it easily accessible.
Von Essen covers aspects of the military organisation, structure, and weapons, and goes into some detail on the transition from the traditional instantly recognisable Samurai to the more lightweight folding armour. Von Essen also looks at the aspects of their new roles and how that develops as the society under the Tokugawa Shogunate remains at peace after centuries of incessant warfare.
The bulk of the book is focused on the city of Edo, providing descriptions of the key areas, its social structure, inhabitants, housing, and public services, with topics ranging from Samurai serving as firemen and police to the merchant class, craftsmen, and labourers. Where they lived, what they ate, transport, public baths, and the etiquette involved in many social interactions are also covered. Von Essen has provided a real insight into the lives of both the Samurai and the civilian population of Edo and opens a door on to the complex world of Japan in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
As usual with Helion, there are numerous coloured photographs and black and white period illustrations throughout this book, supporting the text, along with 8 coloured plates showing Samurai in a variety of civilian and unarmoured military dress.
Readers who are looking for a tome containing vast details on the armies of the age of war will need to look elsewhere; although if you do you that, you will be missing a treat. However, if von Essen ever decides to write that book, I’ll be first in the queue to get a copy – Helion’s continued releases of new and interesting books will I think lead many of us to penury. Recommended for those who watch too many chanbara movies, who would want to imbue their Samurai skirmish or roleplaying games with accurate backgrounds, or perish the thought, anyone who has a fascination for a unique culture and just wants to increase their knowledge.
(Reviewed by Mike Huston)
by RNS | Apr 1, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Jonathon Riley, The Colonial Ironsides English Expeditions under the Commonwealth and Protectorate 1650-1660 (Helion, 2022)
The Century of the Soldier series from Helion covers a wide range of topics, but the one I am most interested in is the English Civil Wars of the 17th century. This book covers the period after the main fighting was over and how the Commonwealth dealt with various issues around the world that needed military intervention. Jonathan Riley surveys the various expeditions that the Commonwealth and Protectorate despatched across the decade.
Riley starts with the smashing of Royalist enclaves within the British Isles and the colonies and continues as Oliver Cromwell and his successor navigated the treacherous waters of European diplomacy. The general scene is first set with the Commonwealth testing the waters of whether they wanted to be on the side of France or Spain. This includes being on the side of Spain while also attempting to wrest control of various Caribbean colonies from them. Eventually, this leads to the conquest of Jamaica and England’s definitive siding with the French. There are 19 chapters in all that cover everything you probably need to know about these expeditions. It is full of scenario ideas for the wargamer (like me) and provides some food for thought for what games I can use my large ECW army for. The failed attack on Hispaniola looks the most likely.
There is an odd affectation in the book whereby most of the chapters have an appendix or two before the next chapter. I expect an appendix to be at the back; although it makes it easier to get to the data on Orders of Battle and the like, I would have simply called most of the appendices chapters too. The other curiosity is when a larger map explanation is needed, the text suddenly swaps to landscape, meaning you need to turn the book, which gets annoying. There are also some editorial issues where words are missing, or a map references the British Empire, which doesn’t exist in this time frame. The same map then only references England and ignores the rest of the Commonwealth.
None of those minor issues detract from the book. It sheds light into a lesser known part of the Cromwellian period and especially explains the convoluted nature of European diplomacy in a simple manner that I may not have seen so clearly before. I may now need to get a Spanish army to refight Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Flanders. Or find someone who has one. And I need to paint some English soldiers in redcoats. If you have even a slight interest in this period, then get this book as it is a great addition to any library.
(Reviewed by Dom Sore)
