''An exciting announcement! After FIVE YEARS of research and work, I have finally completed the first draft of my next book, “System Lorenz” about the Austrian 1854 Lorenz rifIe-musket.
It is the deepest deep dive into all aspects of the Lorenz, including its obscure inventor Joseph Lorenz, the development of what they called the “small bore rifIe” in Austria in the early 1850s, with a chapter on the ammunition, and additional chapters on Austria’s efforts to adopt guncotton and the Podewils System.
I also carefully cover the background and context about the Lorenz, because it is one of the most misunderstood weapon systems in modern history. It was hated by American soldiers in the Civil War and turned into a scapegoat by the Austrian high command for their defeat against Prussia in 1866. No history of the Lorenz would be complete without addressing the tactics it was used with, and how the infamous Austrian “shock tactics” evolved.
At about 120,000 words (and a hundred images and diagrams) it’s my longest book yet. Hundreds of primary and secondary sources in archives and European libraries (almost all in German) were drawn from, to tell the complete story of the Lorenz in English, for the first time.
It still needs editing and proofreading and formatting, which will take some time because I am still mobilized, and can only work on it in my “spare time.” But I am reasonably confident it will be ready for the printers by June!
So… for the twelve or so people who might be interested, keep an eye out!''
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