Like a Brazen Wall

The Battle of Minden is justifiably celebrated by the British infantry and artillery regiments involved, but it was a close-run affair. Like a Brazen Wall echoes that celebration, but also sets a fresh balance: appropriately applauding, where due, the dash and élan of the French and Saxon opponents who are worthy of respect; examining the enduring challenges of multinationality by considering the relationships between Britain and her German allies; critically reviewing the role of the leader by reconsidering the strengths and weaknesses of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; reviewing the role of the British horse and its controversial commander, Sackville.

The battle and the operations leading up to it provide lessons in leadership, command and control, communications, understanding of terrain, manoeuvre, deception, concentration of force, mutual support, liaison with allies, and discipline.This book explains the strategic necessity of British involvement in an Anglo-German allied army in Europe as well as describing the tactical detail of Minden and the parallel battle of Gohfeld.

Using translations of French primary and secondary source material, the intentions of the French commander are reviewed.

A commentary of the battle is provided, including a review of the effectiveness of British musketry.

The reader is assisted in understanding the complex relative chronology of the campaign and the battle by timelines which explain what was happening, and when, in different theatres of operation.

In order make a comprehensive record, orders of battle, uniform details and an illustrated battlefield tour are included.

 

"....The quality of the work is outstanding! The campaign narrative, maps, photographs, and conclusions are all to the highest standard. This really is an exceptional piece of work, that gives the reader an informed insight into the strategic context of the battle, the conduct of the campaign at operational level, and the tactical reality of warfighting in 1759. One of the best new books of the year so far." Royal Anglian News

 “....Carmichael delivers a sound account, not only of campaign and Battle of Minden, but also of the prevailing British strategic interests and the political imperatives and debate that raged within Westminster, all wrapped in an overview of the Seven Years War as it affected Great Britain.” Chris Roberts, Land Power Forum, Australian Army Research Centre

"The author gives a nicely balanced appraisal of the events and manoeuvres preceding and after the battle, plus a detailed review of the battle itself, complete with some helpful maps and orders of battle." Miniature Wargames Issue 476, Dec 2022

"If you were to buy only one book on this battle then this is the one to get." carryingsonupthedale.com

"...It is this depth of research that I found most impressive....There is also a Guide to the Battlefield with some useful photographs and some delightful colour plates by Patrice Courcelle showing uniforms of some of the combatants. Add to this a decent crop of maps showing both theatre operations as well as battle details and we have a book that students will rerun to again and again......I heartily reccommend this book to any interested in the Seven Years War." Glorious Little Soldiers Blog

"Like A Brazen Wall is another superb release from Helion & Co and joins my growing collection of books of the subject of 18th Century warfare. Fans of history will enjoy the detail and the depiction of the battle, whilst wargamers can enjoy the same as well as the orders of battle that will help you in putting troops on the table." Tantobie Internet Tattler Blog

"It is a very well researched study, that should be of great interest for both those with some previous knowledge of the war but also those that are just taking a first step in the history of the Seven Years War. What’s very important, the battle is described from both sides of the battlefield, with many French relations presenting their point of view. Definitely recommend it, yet another good addition to ‘From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815’ series." Michal Paradowski

"The Battle of Minden holds an important place in the annals of the British Army. It is surprising that there are not more books written on this battle compared with, for example, Quebec in the same year, or Waterloo. As such, this title makes an important contribution to our understanding of the battle. The author does not limit himself to tactical action on the day of battle, but skilfully places the battle in the operational and strategic spheres in which it occurred." JSAHR, Vol 101 Number 406 Autumn 2023

“Like a Brazen Wall succeeds […] in giving a more thorough account of the battle [and] the work overall stands as a move in the direction of a more balanced examination of the Battle of Minden.” Journal of the Seven Years War Association