General de Brigade

[mikeb]

We had been discussing this book but I can't remember where? I am getting so old.

I read "Long, Bloody and Obstinate" before getting "A Devil of a Whipping" and I'm glad I did. I have been a little disapointed with "A Devil ...". The chapters on the armies and battlefield were very hard to follow and seemed unconnected or at the least confusing. The maps that accompany these chapters do not follow the discussion and are very confusing. It wasn't until chapter 5 (the skirmish battle narrative) that the battle began to make sense. I have found these chapters (from 5 on) to be a delight to read. ""Long, Bloody ..." does a much better job with the chapters on the battlefield and on the two armies envolved. And the maps, which are invaluable to understanding any battle follow the text and are far superior to those in "A Devil ...".

So if you choose to read "A Devil ..." first; a logical choice as the battle was fought first, don't be put off ... "Long ..." is much better.

A funny aside; On the cover of the paperback copy of "A Devil of a Whipping" it says "The real-life battle and heroes that inspired the movie The Patriot." I'm not sure I would have put that on the front of a book that claims to be scholarly study of Cowpens.

Mike B

[Axebreaker]

I'm in the process of reading it myself at the moment and enjoying it very much. It's giving me an education that I'm in need of at the moment.I'm only in the middle of chapter 2 so I cannot really comment other then more information is given then the casual reader really needs,but at least it's there when and if you need it.

The reference to the movie "The Patriot" is fine I think,the implication is the real story can be found here.While the movie was inaccurate it did attract peoples interest into the period.Also, from our perspective it help attract new gamers and that's always good.
I think the inaccuracies are really only important to be aware of,but always taken with a grain of salt.The movie is a drama set in this period and if viewed in this light I think it's very enjoyable and atmospheric.
If title of the movie was "Cowpens" or "Guilford Courthouse" then it would deserve a closer inspection and criticism.
So,I think it was a good idea from the author to use this movie as a reference as it is far better known then the battle itself and will attract some readers.

[Gentleman Johnny]

Hello,
If a book is called Cowpens it is not likely to sell many copies, but the title DoaW runs the risk of being misfiled on a higher-shelf in the bookshop... Nevertheless it is most definitely on my ‘see-it-buy it’ list.
The tag-line is unfortunate and does imply that the author may have been inspired by the film too... But, I suspect that it may not be on the front of the UK version. (?)

I thought LOaB was tremendous. My only complaint – mentioned in another post (can’t remember where) - was the absence of date/tracking-routes on the strategic maps. But that aside no quibbles. Sgt Lamb’s speed-loading-method (not using the rammer) was new to me and the ball and buck section was illuminating. The piecing together of the action is impressively done and working out who-could-not-have-seen-what is well done too.
Let us hope Mr Babbits continues in this vein.
In case he is lurking here what would you like to see him cover next?
GJ

[Axebreaker]

[Gassendi]

Gentlemen,

Don't forget that Professor Babits has a coauthor for Long, Obstinate, and Bloody who is an excellent historian in his own right. There is another book by the two of them which I would highly recommend also. It is entitled Fortitude and Forbearance: The North Carolina Continental Line in the Revolutionary War 1775-1783. It is full of great data on the North Carolina units.

Sincerely,
G