This volume details the crucial chapter in the history of the Indian Wars. The Seminole of Florida were one of the largest tribes of Native Americans living in peace with settlers. They traded with the Americans, the English and the Spanish, lived in cabins, planted crops and raised cattle. However, by 1815, frontier Americans had grown increasingly envious of their relative wealth and land, and resentful of their harboring of former slaves. They entered into three successive wars with the Seminole tribes, the second, seven-year-long war proving extremely costly in terms of money and manpower as the Seminole emerged as a stubborn and effective fighting force, especially in forest and swamp conditions. Ultimately, however, the sheer weight of the opposing forces overwhelmed them, and only a few dogged resistors clung to the idea of freedom until the third war led to the surrender of the chief. This book reveals the dramatic stories behind the three fierce Seminole wars, fought over a period of 41 years. Illustrated with careful reconstructions of the colorful and varied clothing and uniforms worn by both sides, the author discusses the organization and history of a tribe that fought to the bitter end, albeit unsuccessfully, in the pursuit of freedom. “The campaigns make for dramatic reading, through Field resists the temptation to embellish with colorful language. Instead, he lets the combatants' actions speak for themselves (literally, in some cases, as Field makes excellent use of primary documents penned by American soldiers). Careful attention is paid not only to what happened, but why. Despite the slim dimension of the book--48 pages--there is a surprising depth of information here. Brilliantly rendered color plates, contemporary prints, and early photographs perfectly complement the text... The Seminole Wars 1818-58 is a concise but invaluable look at three poorly remembered wars that tested the endurance of combatants on both sides and ultimately shaped modern Florida.” ― Andrew Hind, Muzzleloader “American history holdings will welcome Ron Field's The Seminole Wars: 1818-58, a survey of the equipment, history and organization of the world's military forces. It packs in campaigns and details on the fighting men of both sides.” ― The Bookwatch (December 2009) Ron Field is an internationally acknowledged expert on US military history. Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1982, he taught History at Piedmont High School in California from 1982 to 1983, and was then Head of History at the Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water, UK, until his retirement in 2007. In 2005 he was elected a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians, based in Washington, DC, and was awarded its Emerson Writing Award in 2013. Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment he became art editor of the much-praised magazine Finding Out during the 1960s. He earned an international reputation particularly for his deep knowledge of Native American material culture; and illustrated more than 30 Osprey titles. Richard's three children Adam, Jason, and Christa are all professionally active in various artistic disciplines. He died in 2010. Reference Book Osprey Men-at-Arms The Seminole Wars 1818-58 #454