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Friday, 2 November 2012

The Battle of Aughrim, 1691 by Michael McNally - A short review



I’ve just finished reading  The Battle of Aughrim 1691 by Michael McNally and can’t recommend it enough. If your new to the 1689 Jacobite Rebellion which was part of the much largest War of the Grand Alliance or War of the League of Augsberg. Then this is a great start.
I guess any readers who aren’t new the period will have read this work already as it was first published in 2008.
The book starts with a brief introduction on the events that started the War of Kings in 1688, The Glorious Revolution, when William, Prince of Orange was helped to oust King James II off of the English throne.
The book then moves onto the 1690 campaign ending with the Battle of the Boyne, a Williamite victory and King James fleeing back to France, it also introduces some of the major characters that would go on to fight at Aughrim.
Then moving on to the 1691 campaign, which started with a new Irish commander for the Jacobites, who was then soon replaced by a Frenchman, St Ruth.  The Williamites also had a new leader Dutchman Ginkel. The two met near a small village named Aughrim on the River Shannon on 12th July 1691.

The author goes into great narrative detail on the battle and includes maps, colour plates for us gamers and Orders of Battle for both sides. I just wish there was a little more information on the Jacobite layout during the battle, the author goes into great detail on the Williamite side but looking at the massive Bibliography used for the book, I guess information is just not known.

So if the War of the Grand Alliance ever takes your fancy, give this book a go as well.



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30 comments:

  1. The Angry Lurker2 November 2012 at 13:04

    I can vouch for Ray's opinion of the book, he spent so much time in the toilet at work reading it!

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    1. Jason3 November 2012 at 00:18

      It's where I do most of my reading too.

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    2. Ray Rousell3 November 2012 at 09:01

      Its the only peace I get at home or at work!!

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  2. Jur2 November 2012 at 13:06

    Darn, I can't find my copy. I probably mislaid it after visiting the battlefield in 2010.

    I helped find a number of Dutch sources and a book on the Irish army of James. So my impression was that it was pretty well researched ;-)

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    1. Ray Rousell3 November 2012 at 09:17

      Absolutely, I just wish he could have found a list of what Jacobite regts fought where, but there you go!

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  3. Clint2 November 2012 at 13:24

    As wargamers I am always pleased that we broaden our hobby by reading about the history of wars, armies and battles. I am sure we have all read books which we would have shied away from had we not become embroiled in this fantastic hobby of ours!

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  4. Simon Quinton 2 November 2012 at 13:45

    Thats also where I do most my reading on the throne. I i'll add it to the ever growing list of books to read.

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  5. Jonathan2 November 2012 at 14:22

    Thanks for the recommendation. I will certainly add this to my list of reading.

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  6. Alex J. Cavanaugh2 November 2012 at 15:21

    The artwork alone is compelling. Any on the interior or just black and white? Which is fine too if there are maps.

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    1. Ray Rousell3 November 2012 at 09:12

      There are some beautiful pictures inside, including one of Dr Alexius Stafford an ordained priest leading King James Lifeguard's onto the field of battle!!

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  7. Unknown2 November 2012 at 15:48

    Sounds like a good read and a thorough treatment of the history. Thank you Ray!

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  8. Juan Mancheño2 November 2012 at 15:48

    Thank you a lot, Ray; it is a very interesting book.

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  9. Jay2 November 2012 at 17:42

    "Reading vitalizes the mind!" A quote from the Supreme General's book entitled "My Words Speak Volumes: How To Enjoy Life In Franonia."

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    1. Ray Rousell3 November 2012 at 09:14

      Are you buttering him up for yet another promotion Field-Marshal?

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  10. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)2 November 2012 at 20:03

    Sounds good and thanks for the tip!

    Christopher

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  11. Michael Awdry2 November 2012 at 20:23

    Not necessarily my era, but a rave review nonetheless.

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  12. Ian2 November 2012 at 22:32

    I echo Michael, plus I need to resist new periods I have enough trouble with expanding within my periods LOL

    Ian

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  13. Jay2 November 2012 at 23:22

    history! :D

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  14. Anonymous3 November 2012 at 01:02

    Very cool Ray. I must admit I'm new to this period. I want to read it... but I'm afraid I'll end up starting a new project. (Note: I bet I'll be searching for it on Amazon by the end of the weekend). Thanks for the review.

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  15. PanzerKaput3 November 2012 at 08:59

    That sounds like a very interesting book

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  16. Ray Rousell3 November 2012 at 09:12

    Do so, its a great read.

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  17. Markus Schenk4 November 2012 at 11:07

    Will look for it. Thanks...

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  18. Jur6 November 2012 at 15:11

    Btw, for those of you interested, Mike McNally did an Osprey campaign series book on the Battle of the Boyne, as well as on Cromwell's campaign in Ireland

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