Aimed at all those with an interest in the Napoleonic Wars from 1804 to 1815; this is a guide to all the uniforms worn in Napoleon's conquering army; from the famous victory of Austerlitz to eventual defeat at Waterloo. Every unit in the Emperor's army is described; and its uniforms and equipment detailed. There are chapters on what Napoleon and his generals wore; the uniforms of the Loyal Imperial Guard and regular infantry; the glamorous appearance of the French cavalry; including cuirassiers; lancers; hussars and dragoons; as well as the artillery and the engineers. There is also a chapter devoted to the many foreign troops that served under Napoeleon; ranging from the Swiss and Portuguese to Croats and Lithuanians. All this is illustrated by over bw prints and paintings; many of them contemporary; and some of which have never been published before.
#4056611 in Books Greenhill Books 2006-02-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 6.12 x 6.19l; 1.37 #File Name: 1853675784376 pages
Review
3 of 14 people found the following review helpful. "more a german victory...." ?????By OscarIn short; this book came from total bias. Whilst the author claims that he has accurate records etc.; it doesn't take long for the reader to see that the author is determined to make Wellington look bad. In between those "accurate records"; his (the author's) own negative opinions; and strong opposition to Wellington; is evident. No matter what Wellington did; he was wrong...The author forgets that it was an allied victory; the Prussians were late and; that the French were too strong for them (Ligny)! Whilst the Prussians joined in the battle (even though late); they certainly were NOT the reason for the victory won.If you want history; don't waste your time or money on any of this author's writings... We wish we hadn't wasted our money!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Reader BewareBy StephenHofschröer's uncritical handling of Gneisenau’s material is; in my opinion; a significant weakness; as is his unbalanced depiction of the Prussian soldier. Waterloo was clearly a victory for a polyglot force; many of whom were Germans; e.g. Hanovarians; Brunswickers; and; of course; Prussians; but Hofschröer's lack of historical distance undermines his argument. I think it worth consideration; but only for the new; to non-German readers; material.4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. important bookBy Alexander ZaunerPeter Hofschröer wrote a breakthrough book that is disregarded in the english speaking world because he added the completely new dimension of German sources into the old comfortable British ones.He includes new; first time translations provided by himself; did massive research and even travel (this is where you recognise a true historian; in his ability to provide something new; instead of just copying things he read previously)An important new voice; who stresses at the very beginning to take the German sources with the same grain of salt one should (but obviously normally does not find it necessary) take the conservative British ones before.Without this book nobody can say he knows the history of Waterloo.
