Author: Andrew W. Field
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 152676847X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
The military historian and expert on the Waterloo campaign presents a fascinating selection of firsthand accounts never before published in English. Andrew Field has written several important volumes on the Battle of Waterloo from the French perspective. Now he takes his pioneering work a step further by publishing these accounts, with all their vivid and personal detail, in full. This volume features Napoleons own description of the battle, as well as those of his immediate household, the Imperial headquarters, and members of 1st Corps. Readers can now engage with these crucial firsthand perspectives and compare them to those of the allied armies. They will also gain insight into the trauma that the French eyewitnesses went through as they tried to explain how they lost a battle they claim they had been on the point of winning. Napoleons own version of events, one of the first to be published in France, was used as the basis of many subsequent histories that ignore or gloss over his many dubious claims. His account of his actions on that decisive day, and the accounts of his close associates, make fascinating reading.
The French at Waterloo—Eyewitness Accounts
Author: Andrew W. Field
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 152676847X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
The military historian and expert on the Waterloo campaign presents a fascinating selection of firsthand accounts never before published in English. Andrew Field has written several important volumes on the Battle of Waterloo from the French perspective. Now he takes his pioneering work a step further by publishing these accounts, with all their vivid and personal detail, in full. This volume features Napoleons own description of the battle, as well as those of his immediate household, the Imperial headquarters, and members of 1st Corps. Readers can now engage with these crucial firsthand perspectives and compare them to those of the allied armies. They will also gain insight into the trauma that the French eyewitnesses went through as they tried to explain how they lost a battle they claim they had been on the point of winning. Napoleons own version of events, one of the first to be published in France, was used as the basis of many subsequent histories that ignore or gloss over his many dubious claims. His account of his actions on that decisive day, and the accounts of his close associates, make fascinating reading.
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 152676847X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
The military historian and expert on the Waterloo campaign presents a fascinating selection of firsthand accounts never before published in English. Andrew Field has written several important volumes on the Battle of Waterloo from the French perspective. Now he takes his pioneering work a step further by publishing these accounts, with all their vivid and personal detail, in full. This volume features Napoleons own description of the battle, as well as those of his immediate household, the Imperial headquarters, and members of 1st Corps. Readers can now engage with these crucial firsthand perspectives and compare them to those of the allied armies. They will also gain insight into the trauma that the French eyewitnesses went through as they tried to explain how they lost a battle they claim they had been on the point of winning. Napoleons own version of events, one of the first to be published in France, was used as the basis of many subsequent histories that ignore or gloss over his many dubious claims. His account of his actions on that decisive day, and the accounts of his close associates, make fascinating reading.
The French at Waterloo: Eyewitness Accounts
Author: Andrew W Field
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1526768496
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 200
Book Description
Andrew Field, who has published four best-selling books on the Battle of Waterloo, has established himself as one of the leading experts on the French perspective of the campaign. Using selected extracts from French eyewitness accounts that haven't been published before in English, he has added a new dimension to our understanding of what happened on the battlefield on 18 June 1815. Now he takes his pioneering work a step further by publishing these accounts, with all their vivid and personal detail, in full. For the first time readers will be in a position to make their own interpretations of them and compare them to the recollections of soldiers from the allied armies, in particular the British, which have largely determined our assumptions about the battle for the last 200 years. They will also gain a heightened insight into the trauma that the French eyewitnesses went through as they tried to explain how the French lost a battle they claim they had been on the point of winning. This, the first of two volumes of the French accounts, features Napoleon's own description of the battle, those of his immediate household and the Imperial headquarters, and those of members of 1st Corps. Napoleon’s own version of events, one of the first to be published in France, was used as the basis of many subsequent histories that ignore or gloss over his many dubious claims. His account of his actions and his view of what happened on that decisive day, and those of his close associates, make fascinating reading.
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1526768496
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 200
Book Description
Andrew Field, who has published four best-selling books on the Battle of Waterloo, has established himself as one of the leading experts on the French perspective of the campaign. Using selected extracts from French eyewitness accounts that haven't been published before in English, he has added a new dimension to our understanding of what happened on the battlefield on 18 June 1815. Now he takes his pioneering work a step further by publishing these accounts, with all their vivid and personal detail, in full. For the first time readers will be in a position to make their own interpretations of them and compare them to the recollections of soldiers from the allied armies, in particular the British, which have largely determined our assumptions about the battle for the last 200 years. They will also gain a heightened insight into the trauma that the French eyewitnesses went through as they tried to explain how the French lost a battle they claim they had been on the point of winning. This, the first of two volumes of the French accounts, features Napoleon's own description of the battle, those of his immediate household and the Imperial headquarters, and those of members of 1st Corps. Napoleon’s own version of events, one of the first to be published in France, was used as the basis of many subsequent histories that ignore or gloss over his many dubious claims. His account of his actions and his view of what happened on that decisive day, and those of his close associates, make fascinating reading.
Waterloo
Author: Andrew W. Field
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 178159998X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 403
Book Description
From the author of Talavera, an extensive history of the Battle of Waterloo from the losing side’s point of view. The story of the Battle of Waterloo—of the ultimate defeat of Napoleon and the French, the triumph of Wellington, Blücher, and their allied armies—is most often told from the viewpoint of the victors, not the vanquished. Even after 200 years of intensive research and the publication of hundreds of books and articles on the battle, the French perspective and many of the primary French sources are under-represented in the written record. So, it is high time this weakness in the literature—and in our understanding of the battle—was addressed, and that is the purpose of Andrew Field’s thought-provoking new study. He has tracked down over ninety first-hand French accounts, many of which have never been previously published in English, and he has combined them with accounts from the other participants in order to create a graphic new narrative of one of the world’s decisive battles. Virtually all of the hitherto unpublished testimony provides fascinating new detail on the battle and many of the accounts are vivid, revealing, and exciting.
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 178159998X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 403
Book Description
From the author of Talavera, an extensive history of the Battle of Waterloo from the losing side’s point of view. The story of the Battle of Waterloo—of the ultimate defeat of Napoleon and the French, the triumph of Wellington, Blücher, and their allied armies—is most often told from the viewpoint of the victors, not the vanquished. Even after 200 years of intensive research and the publication of hundreds of books and articles on the battle, the French perspective and many of the primary French sources are under-represented in the written record. So, it is high time this weakness in the literature—and in our understanding of the battle—was addressed, and that is the purpose of Andrew Field’s thought-provoking new study. He has tracked down over ninety first-hand French accounts, many of which have never been previously published in English, and he has combined them with accounts from the other participants in order to create a graphic new narrative of one of the world’s decisive battles. Virtually all of the hitherto unpublished testimony provides fascinating new detail on the battle and many of the accounts are vivid, revealing, and exciting.
Waterloo: Rout & Retreat
Author: Andrew W. Field
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526701731
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 508
Book Description
“This book covers the least familiar part of the Waterloo campaign—the French retreat in the aftermath of the battle . . . a splendid study.” —History of War This, the fourth volume in Andrew Field’s highly praised study of the Waterloo campaign from the French perspective, depicts in vivid detail the often neglected final phase—the rout and retreat of Napoleon’s army. The text is based exclusively on French eyewitness accounts which give an inside view of the immediate aftermath of the battle and carry the story through to the army’s disbandment in late 1815. Many French officers and soldiers wrote more about the retreat than they did about the catastrophe of Waterloo itself. Their recollections give a fascinating insight to the psyche of the French soldier. They also provide a first-hand record of their experiences and the range of their reactions, from those who deserted the colours and made their way home, to those who continued to serve faithfully when all was lost. Napoleon’s own flight from Waterloo is an essential part of the narrative, but the main emphasis is on the fate of the beaten French army as it was experienced by eyewitnesses who lived through the last days of the campaign. “A fine conclusion to Andrew Field’s series of books on the Hundred Days’ Campaign that offers a rather different perspective on the subject and is a book all serious Napoleonic wargamers will surely wish to add to their libraries.” —Miniature Wargames
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526701731
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 508
Book Description
“This book covers the least familiar part of the Waterloo campaign—the French retreat in the aftermath of the battle . . . a splendid study.” —History of War This, the fourth volume in Andrew Field’s highly praised study of the Waterloo campaign from the French perspective, depicts in vivid detail the often neglected final phase—the rout and retreat of Napoleon’s army. The text is based exclusively on French eyewitness accounts which give an inside view of the immediate aftermath of the battle and carry the story through to the army’s disbandment in late 1815. Many French officers and soldiers wrote more about the retreat than they did about the catastrophe of Waterloo itself. Their recollections give a fascinating insight to the psyche of the French soldier. They also provide a first-hand record of their experiences and the range of their reactions, from those who deserted the colours and made their way home, to those who continued to serve faithfully when all was lost. Napoleon’s own flight from Waterloo is an essential part of the narrative, but the main emphasis is on the fate of the beaten French army as it was experienced by eyewitnesses who lived through the last days of the campaign. “A fine conclusion to Andrew Field’s series of books on the Hundred Days’ Campaign that offers a rather different perspective on the subject and is a book all serious Napoleonic wargamers will surely wish to add to their libraries.” —Miniature Wargames
Battle for Paris 1815
Author: Paul L. Dawson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526749289
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 417
Book Description
“For anyone seeking a full understanding of the end of the Napoleonic era this book is a must read . . . [a] tour de force of research.” —Clash of Steel On the morning of 3 July 1815, the French General Rémi Joseph Isidore Exelmans, at the head of a brigade of dragoons, fired the last shots in the defense of Paris until the Franco-Prussian War sixty-five years later. Why did he do so? Traditional stories of 1815 end with Waterloo, that fateful day of 18 June, when Napoleon Bonaparte fought and lost his last battle, abdicating his throne on 22 June. But Waterloo was not the end; it was the beginning of a new and untold story. Seldom studied in French histories and virtually ignored by English writers, the French Army fought on after Waterloo. Many commanders sought to reverse that defeat—at Versailles, Sevres, Rocquencourt, and La Souffel, the last great battle and the last French victory of the Napoleonic Wars. Marshal Grouchy, much maligned, fought his army back to Paris by 29 June, with the Prussians hard on his heels. On 1 July, Vandamme, Exelmans and Marshal Davout began the defense of Paris. Davout took to the field in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris along with regiments of the Imperial Guard and battalions of National Guards. For the first time ever, using the wealth of material held in the French Army archives in Paris, along with eyewitness testimonies from those who were there, Paul Dawson brings alive the bitter and desperate fighting in defense of the French capital. The 100 Days Campaign did not end at Waterloo, it ended under the walls of Paris fifteen days later.
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1526749289
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 417
Book Description
“For anyone seeking a full understanding of the end of the Napoleonic era this book is a must read . . . [a] tour de force of research.” —Clash of Steel On the morning of 3 July 1815, the French General Rémi Joseph Isidore Exelmans, at the head of a brigade of dragoons, fired the last shots in the defense of Paris until the Franco-Prussian War sixty-five years later. Why did he do so? Traditional stories of 1815 end with Waterloo, that fateful day of 18 June, when Napoleon Bonaparte fought and lost his last battle, abdicating his throne on 22 June. But Waterloo was not the end; it was the beginning of a new and untold story. Seldom studied in French histories and virtually ignored by English writers, the French Army fought on after Waterloo. Many commanders sought to reverse that defeat—at Versailles, Sevres, Rocquencourt, and La Souffel, the last great battle and the last French victory of the Napoleonic Wars. Marshal Grouchy, much maligned, fought his army back to Paris by 29 June, with the Prussians hard on his heels. On 1 July, Vandamme, Exelmans and Marshal Davout began the defense of Paris. Davout took to the field in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris along with regiments of the Imperial Guard and battalions of National Guards. For the first time ever, using the wealth of material held in the French Army archives in Paris, along with eyewitness testimonies from those who were there, Paul Dawson brings alive the bitter and desperate fighting in defense of the French capital. The 100 Days Campaign did not end at Waterloo, it ended under the walls of Paris fifteen days later.
Grouchy's Waterloo
Author: Andrew W. Field
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473856531
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 483
Book Description
“An interesting approach to this part of the Waterloo campaign . . . a picture of a capable officer who was perhaps slightly out of his depth.”—HistoryOfWar In this concluding volume of his highly praised study exploring the French perspective of the Waterloo campaign, Andrew Field concentrates on an often-neglected aspect of Napoleon’s final offensive—the French victory over the Prussians at Ligny, Marshal Grouchy’s pursuit of the Prussians, and the battle at Wavre. The story of this side of the campaign is as full of controversy and interest as the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo which he has examined in such a penetrating and original way in his previous studies. Napoleon in his memoirs accused Grouchy, like Marshal Ney, of a series of failures in command that led to the French defeat, and many subsequent historians have taken the same line. This is one of the long-standing controversies that Andrew Field explores in fascinating detail. Grouchy’s extensive description of his operations forms the backbone of the narrative, supplemented by other French sources and those of Prussian eyewitnesses. “This book, when taken by itself, is a great addition to the history of the campaign. When looked at in conjunction as the third volume of four on the campaign, these books are a treasure trove of information from the French perspective.”—A Wargamers Needful Things “The research has been thorough, the style of writing clear and lucid with many maps and illustrations. A book not to be put down until it is finished. Very highly recommended.”—Clash of Steel
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473856531
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 483
Book Description
“An interesting approach to this part of the Waterloo campaign . . . a picture of a capable officer who was perhaps slightly out of his depth.”—HistoryOfWar In this concluding volume of his highly praised study exploring the French perspective of the Waterloo campaign, Andrew Field concentrates on an often-neglected aspect of Napoleon’s final offensive—the French victory over the Prussians at Ligny, Marshal Grouchy’s pursuit of the Prussians, and the battle at Wavre. The story of this side of the campaign is as full of controversy and interest as the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo which he has examined in such a penetrating and original way in his previous studies. Napoleon in his memoirs accused Grouchy, like Marshal Ney, of a series of failures in command that led to the French defeat, and many subsequent historians have taken the same line. This is one of the long-standing controversies that Andrew Field explores in fascinating detail. Grouchy’s extensive description of his operations forms the backbone of the narrative, supplemented by other French sources and those of Prussian eyewitnesses. “This book, when taken by itself, is a great addition to the history of the campaign. When looked at in conjunction as the third volume of four on the campaign, these books are a treasure trove of information from the French perspective.”—A Wargamers Needful Things “The research has been thorough, the style of writing clear and lucid with many maps and illustrations. A book not to be put down until it is finished. Very highly recommended.”—Clash of Steel
Waterloo: New Perspectives
Author: David Hamilton-Williams
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 9780471145714
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Critical acclaim for Waterloo: New Perspectives The Great Battle Reappraised. "[T]he most important study of the Waterloo Campaign to have appeared in print for 150 years." —The Napoleonic Society of America. "A meticulously detailed account of the Battle of Waterloo that sets right some of the errors and omissions of facts committed by earlier contemporary authors —recommended." —Library Journal. "A superior account of the campaign—free of nationalist bias, thoroughly researched, and clearly written."—Booklist "A thoughtful and dispassionate examination of the battle that brought Napoleon's power to an end ...a valuable addition to anyone's Napoleonic shelf." —The Washington Times.
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 9780471145714
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Critical acclaim for Waterloo: New Perspectives The Great Battle Reappraised. "[T]he most important study of the Waterloo Campaign to have appeared in print for 150 years." —The Napoleonic Society of America. "A meticulously detailed account of the Battle of Waterloo that sets right some of the errors and omissions of facts committed by earlier contemporary authors —recommended." —Library Journal. "A superior account of the campaign—free of nationalist bias, thoroughly researched, and clearly written."—Booklist "A thoughtful and dispassionate examination of the battle that brought Napoleon's power to an end ...a valuable addition to anyone's Napoleonic shelf." —The Washington Times.
1815, the Waterloo Campaign : the German Victory
Author: Peter Hofschröer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 408
Book Description
-- Demonstrates the decisive German contribution to victory at Waterloo -- Unpublished German eyewitness accounts and regimental reports -- Covers the battles of Waterloo, Wavre and the taking of Paris Peter Hofschroer, in this second volume of his masterly study of 1815, challenges the accepted version of events at the battle of Waterloo. He demonstrates convincingly that Allied victory was due not to steadfast British infantry repelling the French, but to the timely arrival of Prussian troops who stole victory from Napoleon and sealed the fate of the last Grande Armee. Drawing on previously unpublished accounts, Hofschroer gives not only the Prussian perspective of their march to Waterloo and decisive attack on Napoleon's flank, but also details of the actions fought by some of the 25,000 Germans in Wellington's 'British' army -- more than a third of the Duke's force. A gripping narrative of astonishing detail captures such key episodes of Waterloo as La Haye Sainte, Papelotte, Hougoumont and the Prussian struggle with the Imperial Guard for Plancenoit. In addition, Hofschroer examines the battle at Wavre, the Allied offensive into France, the taking of Paris and the sieges across northern France. 1815: The Waterloo Campaign-The German Victory is a definitive work on an epic confrontation by one of today's leading military writers.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 408
Book Description
-- Demonstrates the decisive German contribution to victory at Waterloo -- Unpublished German eyewitness accounts and regimental reports -- Covers the battles of Waterloo, Wavre and the taking of Paris Peter Hofschroer, in this second volume of his masterly study of 1815, challenges the accepted version of events at the battle of Waterloo. He demonstrates convincingly that Allied victory was due not to steadfast British infantry repelling the French, but to the timely arrival of Prussian troops who stole victory from Napoleon and sealed the fate of the last Grande Armee. Drawing on previously unpublished accounts, Hofschroer gives not only the Prussian perspective of their march to Waterloo and decisive attack on Napoleon's flank, but also details of the actions fought by some of the 25,000 Germans in Wellington's 'British' army -- more than a third of the Duke's force. A gripping narrative of astonishing detail captures such key episodes of Waterloo as La Haye Sainte, Papelotte, Hougoumont and the Prussian struggle with the Imperial Guard for Plancenoit. In addition, Hofschroer examines the battle at Wavre, the Allied offensive into France, the taking of Paris and the sieges across northern France. 1815: The Waterloo Campaign-The German Victory is a definitive work on an epic confrontation by one of today's leading military writers.
The Great Waterloo Controversy
Author: Gareth Glover
Publisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 1526788888
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
This groundbreaking historical study resolves a hotly debated conundrum with a newly uncovered firsthand account of the Battle of Waterloo. As the battle reached its momentous climax, Napoleon’s Imperial Guard marched towards the Duke of Wellington’s thinning red line. Having never before tasted defeat, it was now sent reeling back in disorder. The British 1st Foot Guards were honored for this historic victory by being renamed the Grenadier Guards. But while the 52nd Foot also contributed to the defeat of the Imperial Guard, it received no comparable recognition. The ensuing controversy has continued down the decades and remains a highly contentious subject. But now, thanks to the previously unpublished journal of Charles Holman of the 52nd Foot, Gareth Glover sheds vital new light on those final, fatal moments. Using these journals and other firsthand accounts, Glover pieces together the most likely sequence of events as well as their immediate aftermath. Who did Wellington honor at the time? How did the Foot Guards gain much of the credit in London? Was there an establishment cover-up? Were the 52nd robbed of their glory? The Great Waterloo Controversy is the definitive answer to these questions.
Publisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 1526788888
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
This groundbreaking historical study resolves a hotly debated conundrum with a newly uncovered firsthand account of the Battle of Waterloo. As the battle reached its momentous climax, Napoleon’s Imperial Guard marched towards the Duke of Wellington’s thinning red line. Having never before tasted defeat, it was now sent reeling back in disorder. The British 1st Foot Guards were honored for this historic victory by being renamed the Grenadier Guards. But while the 52nd Foot also contributed to the defeat of the Imperial Guard, it received no comparable recognition. The ensuing controversy has continued down the decades and remains a highly contentious subject. But now, thanks to the previously unpublished journal of Charles Holman of the 52nd Foot, Gareth Glover sheds vital new light on those final, fatal moments. Using these journals and other firsthand accounts, Glover pieces together the most likely sequence of events as well as their immediate aftermath. Who did Wellington honor at the time? How did the Foot Guards gain much of the credit in London? Was there an establishment cover-up? Were the 52nd robbed of their glory? The Great Waterloo Controversy is the definitive answer to these questions.
Voices From the Napoleonic Wars
Author: Jon E. Lewis
Publisher: Robinson
ISBN: 1472136160
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 501
Book Description
Voices from the Napoleonic Wars reveals in telling detail the harsh lives of soldiers at the turn of the eighteenth century and in the early years of the nineteenth - the poor food and brutal discipline they endured, along with the forced marches and bloody, hand-to-hand combat. Contemporaries were mesmerised by Napoleon, and with good reason: in 1812, he had an unprecedented million men and more under arms. His new model army of volunteers and conscripts at epic battles such as Austerlitz, Salamanca, Borodino, Jena and, of course, Waterloo marked the beginning of modern warfare, the road to the Sommes and Stalingrad. The citizen-in-arms of Napoleon's Grande Armée and other armies of the time gave rise to a distinct body of soldiers' personal memoirs. The personal accounts that Jon E. Lewis has selected from these memoirs, as well as from letters and diaries, include those of Rifleman Harris fighting in the Peninsular Wars, and Captain Alexander Cavalie Mercer of the Royal Horse Artillery at Waterloo. They cover the land campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars (1739-1802), the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) and the War of 1812 (1812-1815), in North America. This was the age of cavalry charges, of horse-drawn artillery, of muskets and hand-to-hand combat with sabres and bayonets. It was an era in which inspirational leadership and patriotic common cause counted for much at close quarters on chaotic and bloody battlefields. The men who wrote these accounts were directly involved in the sweeping campaigns and climactic battles that set Europe and America alight at the turn of the eighteenth century and in the years that followed. Alongside recollections of the ferocity of hard-fought battles are the equally telling details of the common soldier's daily life - short rations, forced marches in the searing heat of the Iberian summer and the bitter cold of the Russian winter, debilitating illnesses and crippling wounds, looting and the lash, but also the compensations of hard-won comradeship in the face of ever-present death. Collectively, these personal accounts give us the most vivid picture of warfare 200 and more years ago, in the evocative language of those who knew it at first hand - the men and officers of the British, French and American armies. They let us know exactly what it was like to be an infantryman, a cavalryman, an artilleryman of the time.
Publisher: Robinson
ISBN: 1472136160
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 501
Book Description
Voices from the Napoleonic Wars reveals in telling detail the harsh lives of soldiers at the turn of the eighteenth century and in the early years of the nineteenth - the poor food and brutal discipline they endured, along with the forced marches and bloody, hand-to-hand combat. Contemporaries were mesmerised by Napoleon, and with good reason: in 1812, he had an unprecedented million men and more under arms. His new model army of volunteers and conscripts at epic battles such as Austerlitz, Salamanca, Borodino, Jena and, of course, Waterloo marked the beginning of modern warfare, the road to the Sommes and Stalingrad. The citizen-in-arms of Napoleon's Grande Armée and other armies of the time gave rise to a distinct body of soldiers' personal memoirs. The personal accounts that Jon E. Lewis has selected from these memoirs, as well as from letters and diaries, include those of Rifleman Harris fighting in the Peninsular Wars, and Captain Alexander Cavalie Mercer of the Royal Horse Artillery at Waterloo. They cover the land campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars (1739-1802), the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) and the War of 1812 (1812-1815), in North America. This was the age of cavalry charges, of horse-drawn artillery, of muskets and hand-to-hand combat with sabres and bayonets. It was an era in which inspirational leadership and patriotic common cause counted for much at close quarters on chaotic and bloody battlefields. The men who wrote these accounts were directly involved in the sweeping campaigns and climactic battles that set Europe and America alight at the turn of the eighteenth century and in the years that followed. Alongside recollections of the ferocity of hard-fought battles are the equally telling details of the common soldier's daily life - short rations, forced marches in the searing heat of the Iberian summer and the bitter cold of the Russian winter, debilitating illnesses and crippling wounds, looting and the lash, but also the compensations of hard-won comradeship in the face of ever-present death. Collectively, these personal accounts give us the most vivid picture of warfare 200 and more years ago, in the evocative language of those who knew it at first hand - the men and officers of the British, French and American armies. They let us know exactly what it was like to be an infantryman, a cavalryman, an artilleryman of the time.