Armies of the Italian Wars of Unification 1848–70 (1): Piedmont and the Two Sicilies

Osprey Men at Arms #512

by Gabriele Esposito

In the 1840s, post-Napoleonic Italy was 'a geographical expression' – not a country, but a patchwork of states, divided between the Austrian-occupied north, and a Spanish-descended Bourbon monarchy, who ruled the south from Naples. Two decades later, it was a nation united under a single king and government, thanks largely to the efforts of the Kings of Sardinia and Piedmont, and the revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi. This book, the first of a two-part series on the armies that fought in the Italian Wars of Unification, examines the Piedmontese and Neapolitan armies that fought in the north and south of the peninsula. Illustrated with prints, early photos and detailed commissioned artwork, this book explores the history, organization, and appearance of the armies that fought to unite the Italian peninsula under one flag.

Genres: Military History

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2017

About the author

The author of numerous books on armies and uniforms, Gabriele Esposito is a contract professor of Medieval, Modern and Contemporary History at the "Luigi Vanvitelli" University of Campania.

Reviews

[Jereme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: reviewing both books of the series.

Very good overview of the uniforms and organization of the armies of the period. Breadth of topic means that it will be lacking in deep knowledge however.

Excellent plates.

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good on uniforms, weapons, and background knowledge but there is next to nothing in here about tactics.

[John Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

13/20.

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok little book on uniforms and weapons of the Risorgimento. Its more for military buffs than historians perse. The descriptions are incredibly precise and comprehensive. This guide would be incredibly valuable to any military historian. The illustrations are all good but the color plates in the back are outstanding.