On February 23; 1778; Frederick William Baron von Steuben reported to General George Washington at the Continental Army's bleak winder encampment at Valley Forge. Speaking virtually no English and at an unexpected ebb in his professional fortunes; Steuben nevertheless brought a depth of military training and grasp of command techniques sorely needed by the bedraggled; ragtag army. With his lofty military reputation; forceful bearing; and colorful personality; the Prussian commander had an immediate galvanizing effect on the disorganized insurgents. He soon became one of Washington's most valued officers — an essential figure in the success of the American War of Independence.Commissioned to mold the troops into an efficient fighting force; Steuben formed a model drill company of one hundred men; transformed it into a precision unit copied throughout the ranks; and captured the imagination of the entire army. His record of drill instructions; written in brief installments; grew into the Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. Commonly known as the army's "blue book;" this basic manual of military training and procedures remained the official U.S. military guide until 1812. This inexpensive facsimile reproduces the extremely rare 1794 edition of Steuben's drill manual; published in Boston by I. Thomas and E. T. Andrews. It describes in detail the arms and accoutrements of officers and soldiers; formation and exercise of a company; instruction of recruits; formation and marching of columns; disposition and firing of fieldpieces; laying out of a camp; inspection; treatment of the sick; reviews of parade; and other essentials. The volume is further enhanced by reproductions of the eight copperplates from the 1794 edition and an Appendix (the United States Militia Act of 1792).
#559494 in Books 2006-03-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.54 x 1.55 x 7.74l; 2.70 #File Name: 0471727636600 pages
Review
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Behind the Velvet CurtainBy TravelhoundThere are numerous books and films about Russia's last tsar; but author Greg King's contribution is exemplary for its detailed behind-the-scenes look at how these people lived; loved and died as the three-centuries-old Romanov dynasty careened toward its last gasp. Thoroughly researched and handsomely illustrated; it details everything from the tsar's daily routines and private family life to the ponderous protocol of funerals; coronations; weddings and imperial balls. Related in a rich; compelling; sometimes gossipy style; the book refreshes old news with colorful anecdotes and personal quotes. Everyone knows the fate of Nicholas and Alexandra and her fanatical attachment to the evil charlatan Rasputin; but it's never been better defended than in this singular quote from the tsar himself: "Better one Rasputin than ten hysterical scenes a day." As for the extravagance of the court itself; by far the most lavish in Europe; this passage is abundantly telling: "(The Grand Duchess) was an imposing presence as she received visitors; the thick fur of a white bearskin at her feet; with the ferocious mouth open and the terrible teeth hanging out; her gown and headdress ablaze with jewels and the long velvet train carpeting the floor behind her. She stood (as) the personification of Russian feminine beauty; enchanting in its touch of barbaric wildness and its tinge of Oriental voluptuousness." All this while coachmen froze to death waiting outside as their noble employers waltzed and swilled vodka in overheated palaces and peasants starved by the millions. Romanov Russia was composed of two wildly disparate; parallel universes; and with their inevitable intersection the world was changed forever. Then again; with Tsar Putin flitting from palace to palace and his billionaire "grand dukes" in place; perhaps nothing has changed at all.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This is a comprehensive book with a great deal of specific history not easily found elsewhereBy CustomerThis is a comprehensive book with a great deal of specific history not easily found elsewhere; but you need to know something of Tsarist history to understand it and keep the characters straight.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Another WorldBy Dr. David S. GochmanThis is a fascinating; thoroughly researched description of the Romanov Imperial Family; their court; and their environment. King carefully moves us through their myriad residences with detailed descriptions of the decorations and furnishings of each room; down to the colors of the fabrics. The dysfunctional relationship between the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and the Empress Alexandra receives much attention. As a train enthusiast I especially enjoyed the description of the Imperial trains and yachts. A must read for those interested in the tragedy of Russian history.
