The Osprey range is unparalleled in its quality of illustration, depth of subject matter, accuracy of detail and sheer coverage. Of course it's also absolutely huge and first-time buyers can be totally overwhelmed by the massive choice available to them: a reading list on World War 1 would include over 40 volumes. Fortunately, Osprey has divided their titles into certain named series, each providing specific information and a way into the subject. The following are six of the most important and interesting.

Essential Histories
The series that ties Osprey's range into a formidable whole, Essential Histories' are a set of 96 page overviews to specific conflicts; each is written by a relevant expert and packed full of maps, illustrations and quotations. Osprey hope to cover every major conflict while large-scale wars - such as the Napoleonic - are split among several volumes, each relating to a different period or region. The discussion may not go beyond the introductory, but they are completely introductory, describing and illustrating the people, terrain, equipment and much more. Consequently, Essential Histories provide an easy, interesting and gloriously visual way into understanding any conflict, especially for younger readers or anyone who hates textbooks.
• Essential Histories: The Crimean War
• Essential Histories: The Napoleonic Wars 1 - The rise of the Emperor

Campaign
Campaign books provide single volume guides to specific battles from across history. Accounts of the relevant conflict - and contributory events - are augmented by studies of the belligerent's commanders, forces and styles of warfare, as well as by copious maps (depicting both topography and movement), pictures of the combatants and many illustrations. The superb results are clear introductions to the sights and events of major battles, perfect as supplements to larger histories that skip past the specifics of combat or as frameworks around which to hang first-hand accounts; arguably the best of the Osprey series.
• Campaign 15: Waterloo 1815

Men-at-Arms
By far the largest of the Osprey series in number (now nearing its 400th volume), but the smallest in terms of size (a mere 48 pages), Men-at-Arms illustrates and explains the arms, equipment, history and organisation of a specific military unit, often during a small period. Subjects have been drawn from every conceivable area of human history, from Scythians to the French army of 1914 - 1918. While these are a perfect way to pursue your interest in soldiers from Osprey's broader series, the intense focus of Men-at-Arms means you'll need at least two for each Campaign, and possibly many more for each Essential Histories.

Warrior
In some ways these books are simply expanded versions of the Men-at-Arms range, maintaining the same tight focus on specific units from a small period and high-standard of illustration, but moving up to 64 pages each and including valuable information on training, day-to-day life and the thoughts of combatants. From the historians perspective a Warrior volume is preferable to a Men-at-Arms one, not least because of the extra material for only a minor price increase, but modelers may feel differently!
• Warrior 42: Redcoat Officer 1740 - 1815 by Stuart Reid and Gerry Embleton

Elite
These books have a similar function and style to both Warrior and Elite, but with larger periods and more esoteric subjects, such as World War I Trench Warfare or Napoleon's commanders. The results allow a better explanation of how a unit or weapon developed over time, as well as semi-biographical material and, as I'm sure you've by now gathered, they include a fine range of original and reproduction art. The broader subject may make my generalisations harder, but this is a series with exciting possibilities and it's certainly one to keep an eye on!

Aircraft of the Aces
Osprey also produce several series devoted to planes and aerial combat of which Aircraft of the Aces is dominant. As the title suggests, these books concentrate on the aircraft flown in recent conflicts, but the focus is on the aces themselves and each book includes first-hand accounts; crucially, these aren't reproductions of older sources but interviews unique to Osprey. If you have any interest in aerial combat, this series is essential.

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