For novels, I'd say the Sharpe series, by Bernard Cornwell. They're set about 25 years later and on another continent, but they give you a good idea of how musket armed combat was supposed to work, and where the European military mind was at the time. "The Fort, a novel of the Revolutionary War," by the same author is also good. It is, however, a one-off rather than a big series.
Musically: I must not have had enough coffee, yet. All I'm coming up with are "the Grand Old Duke of York" and "do your ears hang low."
Addenda: Cornwell makes an interesting technical mistake in the early Sharpe books: he showed red coats handling paper cartridges by biting off the bullet end, then pouring powder, then spitting the bullet into the muzzle. That was the consensus view of how it was done at the time, but later research, (incl. guys actually shooting muskets, not just re-enactors with blanks) found it was backwards. Later books reflect the changed view.
Also, Sabaton's Carolus Rex album is another case of wrong century and wrong continent, but it's also about musket armed combat. The Caroleans were an important step in tactical development.
I understand wanting to watch something that moves to get a feel. Being a living history and reenactment nerd myself, I love YouTube channels that focus on living history. Townsends is only one guy, but very well done: https://www.youtube.com/@townsends. Colonial Williamsburg's channel is not flashy, but they post much in the same vein as their in-person work at the museum: https://www.youtube.com/@ColonialWilliamsburg.
Thank you, Erin. Much appreciated. Back in 1976, I wanted to be an American War of Independence reenactor, but I was too young and way, way too poor to even try. 🙂 I did read all I could about it in the 70s. I also talk with the reenactors on the staff at the historical sites I visit. I talked with a gent, who was a docent at Kings Mountain about the battle and his time in the AF. Great time.
I also agree with you that Townsends rocks. I subscribe to that channel to get a better sense of the flavor of the time. But I never heard about the Colonial Williamsburg channel; I'm subscribing to it right now. 🫡
Thanks, Dale. I read both *Johnny Tremain* and *My Brother Sam is Dead* in elementary school when the Bicentennial was coming up. I also have a copy of Howard Fast's *April Morning* on my bookshelf. Interesting read. I haven't read *Rifleman Benjamin Harris,* yet, but I just added that to my list. 🙂 And, of course, Sharpe rocks in print or with Sean Bean. 😎
For novels, I'd say the Sharpe series, by Bernard Cornwell. They're set about 25 years later and on another continent, but they give you a good idea of how musket armed combat was supposed to work, and where the European military mind was at the time. "The Fort, a novel of the Revolutionary War," by the same author is also good. It is, however, a one-off rather than a big series.
Musically: I must not have had enough coffee, yet. All I'm coming up with are "the Grand Old Duke of York" and "do your ears hang low."
Thanks, Jesse. I've been a fan of the Sharpe series since about 1993. 🫡 I will dig up "The Fort," which I hadn't heard about.
I'll have to hit YT for those songs.
Don't mind me, I'll just be over here in the corner teaching my grandma how to suck eggs.🤪
Nah. It’s a good reminder for everyone that reads this post that Bernard Cornell rocks. 😁
Addenda: Cornwell makes an interesting technical mistake in the early Sharpe books: he showed red coats handling paper cartridges by biting off the bullet end, then pouring powder, then spitting the bullet into the muzzle. That was the consensus view of how it was done at the time, but later research, (incl. guys actually shooting muskets, not just re-enactors with blanks) found it was backwards. Later books reflect the changed view.
Also, Sabaton's Carolus Rex album is another case of wrong century and wrong continent, but it's also about musket armed combat. The Caroleans were an important step in tactical development.
🫡
I understand wanting to watch something that moves to get a feel. Being a living history and reenactment nerd myself, I love YouTube channels that focus on living history. Townsends is only one guy, but very well done: https://www.youtube.com/@townsends. Colonial Williamsburg's channel is not flashy, but they post much in the same vein as their in-person work at the museum: https://www.youtube.com/@ColonialWilliamsburg.
Thank you, Erin. Much appreciated. Back in 1976, I wanted to be an American War of Independence reenactor, but I was too young and way, way too poor to even try. 🙂 I did read all I could about it in the 70s. I also talk with the reenactors on the staff at the historical sites I visit. I talked with a gent, who was a docent at Kings Mountain about the battle and his time in the AF. Great time.
I also agree with you that Townsends rocks. I subscribe to that channel to get a better sense of the flavor of the time. But I never heard about the Colonial Williamsburg channel; I'm subscribing to it right now. 🫡
These two stick with me. This is a recent read.
https://www.amazon.com/Recollections-Rifleman-Harris-Benjamin/dp/1515185613
This was a 1957 Disney TV movie.
https://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Tremain-Hal-Stalmaster/dp/B004IDBEMS
The Sharpe Series is equally good in print or video.
Thanks, Dale. I read both *Johnny Tremain* and *My Brother Sam is Dead* in elementary school when the Bicentennial was coming up. I also have a copy of Howard Fast's *April Morning* on my bookshelf. Interesting read. I haven't read *Rifleman Benjamin Harris,* yet, but I just added that to my list. 🙂 And, of course, Sharpe rocks in print or with Sean Bean. 😎