Vienna 1683: Christian Europe Repels the Ottomans (Campaign, 191)

I very much liked the visual displays, which always helps one understand the geography and see the characters as they actually were in the field. However, I was somewhat disappointed with the description of the event. For one thing, Leopold of Austria was a big chicken and beat feet when Vienna was under threat, but this was glossed over, or rather, skipped altogether. Some more of Sobieski's letters could also have been used. His troops did play a major part in the battle, but more emphasis was placed on Charles, Duke of Lorraine. After all, Sobieski was known as the Terror of the Turk; although, he did get himself caught in a sling at Parkany in the subsequent pursuit of the Ottoman army.

And a show of heroism and determination for both sides of the conflict. It definitively made a good book in this concise "essay" from Simon Millar.Competently he describes the background of the campaign, not only in the Imperial habsburg eastern front but also the western with Louis XIV France and how it influenced the reluctance of certain princes to be in the relief force. The author doesn't forget the Ottoman side of the border; the necessity of Mehmed IV to obtain a victory after a succession of deposed sultans (some murdered) and the near ending of the peace treaty with the Empire.There is a short summary of the troop types (complemented with a few very well portrayed black and white drawings), a short CV of the main characters (John III Sobieski, Starhemberg, Leopold, Kara Mustafa pasha, Rackoksi) a a discussion of strengths and weaknesses of both combatants, including Montecocculis reforms, the weak artillery science of the Ottomans (although they had good pieces) compensated by the excellent Turkish miners, etc.The campaign is well detailed with marching routes, skirmishes and supported by good maps. The Siege is divided by "main events" and well structured with the politic events outside Vienna. It culminates on the Kalehmberg confrontation outside the city, where the Imperial and Polish army fought and Routed the Ottoman army.The author doesn't forget the aftermath battles of Parkany and future implications of the failed siege.This work, although good, isn't perfect. The CV's should concentrate on the leaders of the siege and battle, not the political rulers. Although it has very good maps of the armies movements, it has only one birds-eye view map of the battle (it usually has 3)! The numbers involved aren't very well detailed.The art is very good! Both the three coloured plates like the black and white line drawings. Congratulations to the artist Peter Dennis.Recommended but can be improved.

An excellent campaign book revolving around the failed siege of Vienna in 1683. The maps are accurate and the art is well done. The book arrived in perfect condition.

Another fantastic Osprey Campaign title. This one is loaded with good information about the historic Siege of Vienna 1683, the events and conditions leading up to the battle. Major players are given their due, for example the Polish warrior-king Jan III Sobieski as well as the Habsburg general Ernst Rudiger von Starhemberg (commander in chief during Vienna's defense).The color plate illustrations are of superb quality, most of the best ones from Peter Dennis. I only wish that Osprey or Dennis would allow us to purchase art prints of some of these fantastic colorful illustrations, especially the battle scenes. The book is well worth the Amazon price, and this is a must-have for fans of Habsburg or Austro-Hungarian history.

Being of Polish extraction I have read much about the military feats of King John Sobieski, who by the way was also the maternal grandfather of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Whilst those readings focussed on Sobieski, his march towards Vienna, his concern that his Lithuanian forces would not arrive in time (which they did not) to support his Polish contingent, and the famous Polish calvary charge itself, this book provides a good overview of the siege, including all of the key players, from its beginning to its end.I am also looking forward to the Polish/Italian film production depicting the battle. I believe 30,000 horseman were used in making the film on location in Romania. From the trailers I have seen on Utube it is dubbed in English, and is being played in the theatres of 50 countries, but not here in Australia. I hope Amazon will have that DVD version available once it has been released. The sooner the better.

A short history of siege of Vienna 1683 by Ottoman Empire. Well done art work.

I have been very pleased with and impressed with the quality of Osprey publications. The Campaign series are focused on military campaigns from ancient times through the current era. I have found the books in the Osprey Campaign series to be a great source and frequently the only source for well-researched information on military campaigns especially in the ancient campaigns through early 20th century campaigns.

A good once over of the topic of the Battle of Vienna. Provides some background and a good analysis of the situation. Good secondary source material for non-collegiate research, but is usefull as a starting point for more indepth study.

The Vienna campaign is one of the most important events in World History and a subject that has fascinated me for many Years, my interest recently rekindled due to wargaming the period again, led me to purchase this book, I already own a few good titles on the subject but thought I would give this a whirl just for a bit of new reading matter. The writers description of Emperor Leopold seems quite accurate however he states that Leopold was "destined to lead his Country through the turmoil of the Thirty Years War", "and then go on to deal with Louis the fourteenth and the Ottoman threat at the end of the Century" HOW !!! ? Leopold was only eight years old when the thirty years war ended in 1648, Ferdinand was Emperor during that war, and as a boy Leopold was groomed for the Church; not the Battlefield, the other stupid thing is mentioning Azab infantry as part of the Ottoman army and having a colour picture of them advancing toward the enemy, again this is not so, the Turks stopped recruiting this type of soldier along with the Akinji Cavalry in the previous Century, all other Historians agree on this point, so a little more care in the research of the Ottoman Army was needed. Apart from these silly errors the book isn't that bad, the summing up of the other commanders is accurate, as is his narrative of the siege and subsequent field engagements, giving full credit to the Austrian and Saxon forces instead of concentrating on Sobieski and the Hussars as many like to do, the Order of Battle is poor and undetailed, and the statement that the vast majority of soldiers of the time used the matchlock as the flintlock "did not come into regular service until 1699" is just pure nonesense, The Austrians were a bit backward in this respect but the Saxon troops like the Danish and smaller German contingents of the Imperial Army were mostly using the flintlock by this time. overall three stars.

Excellent review of the period and campaign. Highly recommended

I am unable to review this item as it was bought for a gift for my son. He has , however, had these books previously and has always enjoyed reading them. He has quite a collection now

Spent our holidays in Vienna last year and you simply cannot escape the the story of the siege. This book was great and as always Osprey marshall the available information in a very accessible and enjoyable format.

Difficult to get enthused by a very dry recounting of dates and events leading up to the siege, without any background on the reasons for the various pieces of the puzzle. An endless list of names and dates with almost no explanation. Some pages contain pictures of personalities and battles which are completely absent from the text, which makes the story even more dense and opaque. I'll return it.