Professor Michael Fredholm von Essen is an historian and former military analyst who has published extensively on the history, defence strategies, security policies, and energy sector developments of Eurasia. He currently is the Head of Research and Development at IRI, an independent research institute. Educated at Uppsala, Stockholm, and Lund Universities, Michael Fredholm von Essen has lectured, including during conferences and as visiting professor, at numerous institutions and universities around the world. He is the author of a large number of books, articles, and academic papers, including Muscovy's Soldiers: The Emergence of the Russian Army, 1462-1689 (Helion, 2018); Charles XI's War: The Scanian War between Sweden and Denmark, 1675-1679 (Helion, 2018); Transnational Organized Crime and Jihadist Terrorism: Russian-Speaking Networks in Western Europe (Routledge, 2017); Understanding Lone Actor Terrorism: Past Experience, Future Outlook, and Response Strategies (Routledge, 2016); Afghanistan Beyond the Fog of War: Persistent Failure of a Rentier State (NIAS, 2018); Eight Banners and Green Flag: The Army of the Manchu Empire and Qing China, 1600-1850 (Pike and Shot Society, 2009); and a large number of articles on early modern warfare in the Arquebusier, the journal of the Pike and Shot Society.

Sergey Shamenkov is from the Ukraine and is a graduate of the Odessa Art School and the Lviv Academy of Arts. He is a frequent author of articles on uniforms and clothing worn during the Great Northern War, particularly those worn by Cossack troops. However, recently he published a fabulous article on Swedish officer dress of the Great Northern War which can be found at http://milhistinfo.ru/2015/02/19/shamenkov_8/#more-963 (warning - large file) in the prestigious History of Military Affairs in Russia. Sergey Shamenkov is also a well-known illustrator of uniforms during the period having created numerous book and article illustrations, and a dedicated reenactor.

Helion’s latest book in the Middle Eat @ War series is a square back soft cover includes 304 gloss paper pages. The cover color illustration is of a Captain, Norrland regiment, 1626, against a background of Rain-am-Lech, 1631. The rear cover features a color illustration of Gustavus Adolphus during the siege of Riga, 1621. I counted 120 black and white photographs. There are 32 pages of color plates that include 106 color illustrations, plus the two color illustrations on the covers. Additionally, there are 10 black and white maps and 15 tables. Volume 2 will address King Gustavus Adolphus’ successor.

Gustavus Adolphus was born in Castle Tre Kronor on December 19, 1594 to Duke Charles of the Vasa dynasty and Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. Duke Charles took the throne in 1604 as Charles IX but died in 1611 with his oldest son, Gustavus, as a sixteen year old. Gustavus was declared of age and became the King of Sweden on October 30, 1611. Gustavus Adolphus inherited three ongoing wars from his father. Under his leadership, Sweden transformed from a regional power to a great power in Europe during the Thirty Years’ War. Considered to be the “father of modern warfare”, Gustavus also oversaw significant innovations to the administrative structure of government. He was aided in this effort by a trusted friend, Count Axel Oxenstierna, the Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, who managed the home front while Gustavus was off leading the battles. Sustaining many injuries in battle, as he led from the front, Gustavus was finally killed in the Battle of Lutzen on November 6, 1632, in a cavalry charge. The Swedes had won a decisive battle, but had lost their King.

Professor Michael Fredholm von Essen kicks this Volume 1 off with a Chronology, Introduction, and Prologue that sets the table by introducing the background and environment upon which Gustavus begins to make his mark. The following sub-chapters address the multitude of battles that lead up to his death. Along the way you are introduced to the new concepts either created or introduced by King Adolphus. Professor von Essen confronts many of the myths head on, either dispelling them, or confirming their truth. The chapters that follow the battles address how King Adolphus achieved his legacy. Sweden was a fairly small country with limited resources, so a primary concern was manpower. Chapter 2, Raising the Swedish Army, delves into this issue and how it was resolved. The remaining chapters address other critical innovations that transformed the Swedish army into a major European power. The sections include:

• Chronology
• Introduction
• Prologue

I found the section on Musketeers to be quite interesting. Early in his reign, King Adolphus replaced his infantry’s 16-bore snaplock arquebus (musket) with a 10-bore matchlock musket. The 10-bore musket was a heavier barrel, capable of delivering more punch than the 16-bore barrel, easily penetrating personal armor of the day. The matchlock was not new technology compared to the snaplock (flintlock), but Sweden was able to manufacture both the 16-bore barrel and the matchlock to a greater standardization, and thus less expensively. King Adolphus’ army, always facing resource issues, found that the matchlock’s lower cost (fewer parts), meant they could supply more matchlocks than other more modern designs. The matchlock was also sturdier and much less prone to breaking compared to the snaplock, in addition to minimizing misfires. The more advanced flintlock styles still found their way in service, but in more specialized applications.

The contemporary illustrations (drawings, paintings, and woodcuts) support the text, along with black and white photographs of museum, pieces (armour, weapons, etc.). The generous 32 pages of colour plates address the various clothing and flags are well done. All of the color illustrations are accompanied by a detailed commentary that follows the Appendices. I will be ordering Professor Michael Fredholm von Essen’s Volume 2 on The Lion From the North that has already been released. Despite clocking in at 304 pages, this an excellent read and a valuable reference. I was able to read it over four evenings. If you own one the previous releases in the Century of the Soldier series, you know what you are getting. If, this is your initial entry into this series, you will be quite pleased.

My thanks to Helion & Company, Casemate Publishing, and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great book.

Highly recommended!

1. The Wars of Gustavus Adolphus
   • Inherited Conflicts
   • An Obsolete Army
   • The Invasion of Livonia
   • The Siege of Riga
   • The Foreign Invasion Threat
   • The Battle of Walhof
   • The Invasion of Prussia and the Battles of Mewe and Hamerstein
   • The Assault on Kasemark
   • The Battle of Dirschau [Page 46]
   • The Blockage and Siege of Danzig
   • The Relief of Stralsund
   • The End of the War in Prussia
   • The Invasion of Pomerania
   • The War in Northern Germany
   • The Battle of Breitenfeld
   • The Battle of Rain-am-Lech
   • The Siege of Alte Feste [Page 79]
   • The Battle of Lutzen
2. Raising the Swedish Army
   • Available Manpower
   • Nobles
   • Conscripts
   • Cavalrymen
   • Naval Officers and Sailors
   • Enlisted Troops
   • Artillerymen
   • Levies
   • Perpetual Soldier’s Holdings
   • Gustavus Adolphus’s Articles of War
3. Army Organization
   • The Introduction of Higher Formations
   • The Infantry Company
   • The Infantry Squadron or Battalion
   • The Establishment of Permanent Territorial Regiments of Foot
   • The Field Regiments of the 1621-1622 War in Livonia
   • The Defensive Posture of 1623-1624
   • The Organization of 1625-1626
   • The Wartime Organization of 1626-1632
   • The Infantry Brigade
   • The Calvary Company
   • The Life Guard Company and Household Regiment
   • The King’s Life Company of Horse and Life Regiment of Horse
   • Colour Regiments
   • Enlisted Units
   • Logistics
   • Color Plates [Page 136iv]
4. Weapons and Equipment
   • Armaments Industry
   • Officers
   • Under-Officers
   • Musketeers
   • Rearmament
   • Pikemen
   • Infantry Armour
   • Swinefeathers
   • Harquebusiers
   • Cuirassiers [Page 178]
   • Light Horse
   • Dragoons
   • Artillerymen
   • Engineers and Sappers
   • Grenadiers
   • Naval Personnel
   • Rapiers [Page 194]
   • Banners
   • Regimental Music
   • Skis
5. Uniforms, Dress and Appearance
   • Military Fashion
   • Uniforms
   • Winter Clothes
6. Tactics and Strategy
   • Tactical Doctrines
   • Gustavus Adolphus’s Theoretical Background
   • The Availability of Existing Officers
   • The Swedish Model
   • Infantry Tactics
   • Cavalry Tactics
   • Artillery Tactics
   • Gustavus Adolphus’s Thoughts on Tactics, Strategy, and Grand Strategy
7. Intelligence
   • Foreign Intelligence
   • Military Intelligence
   • Counterintelligence
   • Cryptology and Cryptanalysis
   • Principles of Swedish Intelligence
   • The Postal Service
8. The Military Legacy of Gustavus Adolphus

• Appendix I: The Marching Order of the Swedish Army, September 1631
• Appendix II: Order of Battle, Lutzen, 1632
• Appendix III: Selected Regiments of Gustavus Adolphus
• Colour Plate Commentaries
• Further Reading
• Bibliography