#15737379 in Books 1974 #File Name: B000SI87P4
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive study worth readingBy philipNapoleon's Army is a great place to start when wishing to take a crash course or begin research in Napoleonic Warfare. The book has 11 chapters with sources at the end of each. Very important! This lends much to accepting the book as well researched. Being written by an author with a military background improves any study in military science. A good index; which is included; is always a plus for researchers. The illustrations are sepia line drawings and reprinted engravings which depict uniforms of the period.While not terribly interested in all the topics (such as rations and medical care) I did find the book an important starting place for my research. What was really good is the Introduction which begins with briefs on each important campaign covering the entire period without the typical undo adoration of Napoleon. The text is concise and to the point; battle plan maps and illustrations are supportive of the text. I found the textual information is collaborated by other important authors of the subject. The author; Colonel Rogers; investigates the development and history of each branch of the service in the French armies in an easy reading style and in less than 200 pages. Just the facts m'am.I would recommend highly this book for all beginners in the study of Napoleonic warfare. It puts into perspective the armies of France with other nations by comparing and contrasting its strengths and weaknesses. It certainly compares well with the works of earlier sources such as Oman to name but one. It may or may not be perfect but it appears to be a good starting point for researchers; such as myself. A deal at any price.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Last 2 ChaptersBy JKI purchased this book mainly for its last two chapters. If you don't read french or can't afford a copy of "Napoleon's Finest: Marshal Louis Davout and His 3rd Corps;" then this book's last two chapters offer a concise and readable summary of Davout's after-action-report of his corps' operations during the battles of Auerstaedt and Eylau. Rogers extracts the information from the 1st-person reports that provides insight into how Napoleon's army functioned on campaign and on the battlefield. Rogers' direct and simple writing style does not impose itself between the reader and the facts.