History

My brother Mitch was the President of RIMMS (Rhode Island Military Minature Society). As a member of this society he was able to endulge in his hobby of painting figures. To support this hobby he became a dealer in miscellaneous military items like: minature figures, books, prints, uniforms, etc. He would attend figure and toy soldier shows around the Northeast where he would sell his wares and join the other exhibitors. As inventory grew it became clear that he needed help with his road trips. This is where I come in.

After a year of so of assisting him I decided to peddle some goods for myself while I was hanging around minding the booth. Having always had an interest in Napoleon I decided to specialize in that area. I applied for my Rhode Island Sales license in 1986 and Empire Books was born.

• Biographies of Napoleon or General Histories - I have about 60 of these. Once you have read a couple you probably don't need anymore. I'm at the stage that I don't collect these unless they are particularly unusual. Chandler's CAMPAIGN'S OF NAPOLEON and Sloane's LIFE OF NAPOLEON are the only two I finished reading and I thought they were both very good.

   

• Campaign or Battle books - I have about 150 of these. They start in 1793 and run through his Last Will. Some campaigns are covered by lots of books while others have only a few books available. I have about 20 on Waterloo, 20 on the Russian campaign of 1812 and about 35 on the Peninsular wars. I do enjoy reading at least a couple of books on each major campaign. The Petre series is good as are the Osprey paperbacks. AUSTERLITZ: Glory Years by Scott Bowden is one of my favorites.

   

• Family and Friends - 120 or so here. This is an interesting area because many of the books are first hand accounts and their opinions and ideas about Napoleon and the things that transpired during that period are enlightening. Having finished Stanton's BONAPARTE'S I can't help but feel that Napoleon deserved more from his brothers and sisters. I also find Napoleon's letters to be highly entertaining.

   

• Memiors - 100 or more of these. Memiors are my favorites. While it is good to understand the grand tactics used on a campaign it is something special to sit down with a road weary grognard and share a boiled potato and piece of pork fat. That first person perspective can pick you up and transport you to the jubilance and excitment of the torch procession on the eve of Austerlitz or to the dark, dank, sweat shop in the belly of a British man-of-war. Marbot's memoirs are my favorite but I've also enjoyed De Rocca, and Paquin.

   

• Military Studies - maybe 80. Here is an opportunity to understand the mechanics of warfare as well as survival during Napoleonic warfare. The 'Cavalry' books by David Johnson are among the most highly praised books I sell. SWORDS AROUND THE THRONE by Col. Elting may be the most universally recommended book on this period.

Have you ever wanted to own some real 1st Empire items? I have sometimes purchased authentic coins from my friend Tim Kirkpatrick's of Kirks's Coins. If you are interested drop me a line and I'll forward his email address.

The Real World

Though I have a lot of fun with this stuff and I have learned a lot it doesn't pay the bills. To earn a buck I work with computers, and I have done a lot of that. From a 2nd shift operator on an old IBM System 3, to a CICS Assembler Programmer at a nationwide insurance company, a MIS Project Leader for Sheraton hotels, a consultant/Basic programmer for a consulting firm, a MIS Manager at a manufacturing plant, and finally as an independant consultant working on PC's and Mac's. Twenty years in computers and I guess it is natural that I'd set up a web page to advertise my books.