DOC Imperial Glory by J. David Markham in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great Book!By Nicholas RobertsEveryone else seems to have hit the nail on the head dealing with this book. It consists of the bulletins of the Grand Army from 1805 to 1814 in chronological order. The editor gives a nice little introduction telling us why Napoleon's bulletins are important and why we should read them. The book also includes the peace treaties that Napoleon conducted with the foreign powers as well as some notes from Marshal Massena in Italy and Prince Eugene. You can tell through these bulletins; written in very simple language; how Napoleon transfered the glory of the Empire to the people back home. Very interesting read!9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. newsletter of Napoleon's ArmyBy lordhootThe Bulletins of the Napoleon's Grande Armee was in essence; nothing more then newsletters written for French army personals and their opponents. The author did the Napoleonic community a great service by making this book available in English; the complete set of Napoleon's Bulletins. The book also included other pages of history as Napoleons' decrees; treaties that was signed and even military reports.The Bulletins shows exactly what it supposed to be; a newsletter written for military consumption; and it was geared not only for the French army but also for their enemies. Thus; you will have not only the truth in those bulletins but also misinformation. It does boggled the mind to realized such effort was made to both informed and misinformed both sides of the battle line. As one previous reviewer wrote; a propaganda sheet. But it seems to work. If I was a French soldier reading these bulletins; it would be informative and if I was a their enemy; I would be misinformed. The bulletins also serves to give recognition to troops for their services or valor; both as an unit or as indivduals. These bulletins and its accompanying documents gives a clear inside view of how war looks to the men fighting it.However; unlike the other reviewers; I would say this much. I don't think this book is for everyone. Readers with limited background in Napoleonic military history will undoubtfully be totally confused or be misinformed themselves. Most of the bulletins were written with the understanding that people reading them knows who "Duke of Auerstadt" and what corps he commanded. It was written for people who already know what went on previously. I don't believed this is a book for beginners into this subject but someone who already have a good understanding of the Napoleonic wars and its terrains; leaders and troop types.A valuable book; a "must have" in any Napoleonic library and almost a mandatory reading material for any experienced Napoleonic reader.15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. A Must Buy!By Robert BurnhamOccasionally a new book is released that is so important to the study of the Napoleonic era that it immediately falls into the "must have" category for both Napoleonic scholars and enthusiasts. Imperial Glory is such a book. David Markham has assembled for the first time; all of the bulletins written by Napoleon between 1805 and 1812. Many of them have never been translated into English before; while others were only available to the serious scholar. Additionally; Mr. Markham also checked the translations of those bulletins that had been translated in the 19th Century and found many errors in them.Napoleon used his bulletins for a variety of reasons: to inform the public and his soldiers of the progress of his campaigns; to praise his soldiers and their officers for the actions; and to ensure his enemies heard of his triumphs. They were published in the government's official newspaper; Le Moniteur; and often hung on doors and posted in public squares throughout the Empire. The veracity of the bulletins has always been open to question; with one of the most frequently used expressions from the Napoleonic era being; "To lie like a bulletin."Although many of these bulletins were published for propaganda purposes; Mr. Markham does point out most are "reasonably accurate." Furthermore; he writes "[Napoleon's] losses were sometimes described as 'considerable'; and he would list specific officers that were lost; along with the numbers of men killed; wounded or taken prisoners."In addition to all 183 bulletins written from 1805 and 1812; Imperial Glory contains 170 other documents; many of which have never been published in English before. Broken down by year; the book includes:180537 Bulletins of the Grande Armée (complete)9 Bulletins of Masséna's Army of Italy (complete)9 Proclamations3 Decrees2 Orders of the Day3 Letters1 Armistice1 Treaty of Peace1806-180787 Bulletins (complete)4 Proclamations1 Letter1 Armistice between France and Prussia1 Armistice between France and Russia1 Treaty between France and Prussia1 Treaty between France and Russia180930 Bulletins (complete)4 Proclamations2 Proclamations of the King of Saxony2 Orders of the Day2 Reports by the Viceroy (Eugène)3 Letters1 Treaty between France and Austria181229 Bulletins (Complete)1 Final dispatch from Paris1 Order of the Day1 Letter21 Field Reports; including:5 Reports from Marshal Ney4 Reports from Marshal Murat2 Reports from Marshal Davout2 Reports from Eugène2 Reports from Marshal St Cyr1 Report of Marshal Macdonald1 Report from Marshal Oudinot1 Report from Prince Poniatowski1 Report from Prince Schwarzenberg1 Report of Russian General Wittgenstein to Tsar Alexander1 Report from General Wrede181351 Reports from Le Moniteur; which often include reports from multiple days2 Proclamations2 Reports from Marshal Berthier1 Report from General Vandamme1 Report from Marshal Ney1 Report from General Milhaud6 Letters1 Armistice181423 Reports from Le Moniteur; including two "bulletins" at the end of the campaign2 Proclamations1 Decree1 Order of the Day2 Speeches1 Act of AbdicationThe collection of material is by campaign; with a separate chapter covering the different campaigns fought in that year or years. Within each chapter; the material is also arranged chronologically. This is an ideal arrangement; for not only does it permit the reader to follow the campaigns as seen through the official press releases; but it also provides great insight into how Napoleon managed his propaganda campaign.The supplementary material is fascinating. I found particularly interesting the after-action reports on various battles written by the unit commander to the Imperial Headquarters. These reports were not written for public consumption and often were the first communication between a subordinate commander and the army headquarters. These reports contain information that would not necessarily be placed in the bulletins. Mr. Markham also included all the bulletins written by Marshal Masséna in 1805. He was in command of the Army of Italy and operating as an independent commander. Masséna's bulletins are in chronological order and interspersed with Napoleon's. Reading them together will give the reader a good feel for the two individuals' writing styles.Mr. Markham and Greenhill Books are to be commended for making available to the public; material that has long been inaccessible to all but those with extensive libraries. Imperial Glory is an impressive collection of documents that every Napoleonic library should own. Do not delay buying Imperial Glory. It will be snatched up quickly and soon will be out of print.