Emily Holmes is the Project Editor for our non-series books. This means that she is responsible for the project management of all of our large format titles (which for the lack of a better, catchier name we refer to as Generals / General Aviation). She is also responsible for the commissioning of all of our paperback non-series books. Emily thankfully also steps into the breach on a regular basis to check my truly abysmal grammar and is trying to teach me what an apostrophe is, and how it works, and when to use it - though without much luck.
Emily actually first came to Osprey on a work experience placement (a temporary intern for our US cousins) and worked for six weeks in numerous departments, whilst working on her final dissertation! A glutton for punishment, as soon as she graduated she was snapped up by the editorial team.
No sour grapes or anything, but she was much better suited to Marketing...
When I asked Emily what her favourite Osprey book was she answered:
"It has to be the Peninsular War Atlas.
As Project Editor on the General trade titles I find myself working on a variety of books, but this was the first atlas both Osprey and I have embarked on … and what an book it turned out to be.
I've chosen The Peninsular War Atlas as my favourite Osprey book (of 2010 anyway!) because it was one of the most challenging books I\'ve worked on, and possibly one of the most gratifying to see printed. It has been heralded by Andrew Roberts as his Daily Telegraph Book of the Year, as well as having the support of the Duke of Wellington, Charles Esdaile and the Peninsular War 200 group.
Although originally scheduled for 2011, we wanted to make the atlas available for the Peninsular War anniversaries. As such, it required an incredible team effort from all of us in the office, particularly my colleagues in our production and design team.
The production of this book was international in every way - the author was in Portugal and Afghanistan, the designer in France and the printing in China, but it has come together as a fitting tribute all those who fought in the campaign. The maps, which are the work of the author, Nick Lipscombe, and Peter Bull, a specialist cartographer, represent every aspect of the battles in detail, and Nick\'s text is a brilliant accompaniment to them. Printed on uncoated paper which looks authentically Napoleonic, the maps come to life.
Everyone who worked on this title was a joy to work with, the author in particular was a delight and so incredibly helpful. I only hope he is as pleased with the outcome as we are.
However, in addition to all of this, the main reason why this is my favourite book is because the package is so luxurious and the whole thing looks fantastic. This volume feels weighty in its slipcase with gold font and gold ribbon, and the cover is a work of art. At nearly 400 pages it is a delight to hold and one of my newest treasures.
The Peninsular War Atlas should be on every Napoleonic fan\'s Christmas wishlist, and it should be on everyone else\'s purely because it looks so good!"
Have a look at some of these pics of the Atlas just to see what Emily means about the fabulous package!
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