The Battle of Cataluanian Fields AD451
The book focuses on a single battle that scholars of the time called one of the most pivotal battles of late antiquity.
This battle also has very detailed reports from primary sources.
The importance of this battle was that is was where Attila the Hun was stopped and defeated. Some see it as the last great victory of the late western Roman Empire against the barbarian horde.
The first thing to say, is this book is a historical data nerds dream. While the book findings conclude half way though the book, there is a huge section on the force estimates from the notitia dignitatum. This pretty much lays out the commands, strengths, etc of the eastern Roman Empire.
It is astounding how detailed this is.
I really enjoyed this book. The detailed descriptions of where the source material comes from, was for me the highlight of the book. I am always amazed how this stuff survives.
I can see this being used by wargammers looking to build up regiments and armies of the period and also by reenactors looking to create units and regiments for living history. In fact there are several photos of reenactors in period clothing and weaponry. The author is an reenactor which seems to help provide groups of the period with a lot of useful stuff.
You can buy this book direct from Pen and Sword Books
Please note I was not paid to write this review but was sent a review copy of the book. All comments are my own, and the publishers have not amended the review in any way.