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I completely agree that Osprey is the place to start, perhaps after a few cursory Googles to get a feel for the period and terminology. Their Men-at-Arms series is a great start and their illustrations are brilliant for helping to understand uniforms etc. The Elite / Warrior series are also great, and typically add a bit of depth. There is also a Campaign series by Osprey that is great, focusing on a particular battle. They also do very useful potted histories. All of these books will most likely include suggestions on further reading, so they are an ideal spring board.
Toy soldier wranglers up and down the globe have started this way for 40+ years, and I still do today. It’s great 🙂 [N.B. I have heard vague whisperings that things in Osprey “may not be entirely right”. I’ve yet to find any of these fabled gaffes that would make any difference to a wargamer. If you find one, then come back and tell us all about it, but make sure you’re wearing your beard!]
It’s also worth checking out Helion books, as already mentioned, who do not have the range of Osprey (yet), but tend to go in to a bit more depth when you get lucky. Also try ringing up or emailing places like Caliver Books (https://www.caliverbooks.com/). The people there know their onions, and gravy, and can usually make suggestions. They often have second hand books as well. Worth noting that, as Wargamers are such butterflies, there is a huge second hand market in Ospreys :-).
Once you’ve got a book or two in mind then libraries are of course fab, and well worth a visit – they normally have their catalogues online now. The British Library (in that there London) is also free – what a resource. God save our libraries!
After a book or two you will be able to make more informed internet searches. There are many really useful resources online e.g. https://www.academia.edu/39511016/Battle_of_Rocroi?email_work_card=reading-history National museums often have parts of their collections online e.g. want to know what Gustav Adolph’s horse was like? Try https://livrustkammaren.se/sv/streiff# (Use Chrome as this translates if you’re looking abroad.) Art galleries (online) are also worth checking out for period dress.
Good luck – and be sure to come and share any finds you make ?.
