This beautiful new book brings together for the very first time ninety-one color plates by the celebrated artist Lucien Rousselot illustrating the regiments of the Imperial Guard cavalry in all their splendor. Carefully researched from primary sources; and superbly executed by a renowned military artist; these paintings are of the very best of their type and are sought after by serious collectors. Lucien Rousselot was a Peintre de lArme and a recognized authority on the uniforms of the French Army. Edward Ryan is an expert on military art and the history of uniforms.
#8168344 in Books Hurst Co Ltd 2001-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.02 x 5.43l; 1.11 #File Name: 1850654174370 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Gives great insight into the cultural and political factors that preceded and sustained the Liberian Civil War.By dale klemmI bought this book after going on a mission trip to Liberia. It is not an easy read (I read it in bits and pieces over several months) but the author does an absolutely fantastic job of describing the political and cultural events leading up the the civil war; then walks the reader through the significant events of the war. I'm not sure if I would have appreciated or understood the book having not been to Liberia first (I was recommended to me by another missionary that I met on my trip). Beyond describing the civil war; this book provides a foundation that gives insight into the cultural and political issues that still influence Liberia and the surrounding countries today.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Stephen Ellis presents a fascinating account of the forgotten dimension ...By W FStephen Ellis presents a fascinating account of the forgotten dimension of most contemporary conflict analysis and resolution: religion. Developed countries are; by and large; so secularized that they forget that many other places have retained close ties to a sense of the numinous. Agree with it or not; we cannot afford to ignore this aspect of international social and political conflict. Ellis is to be commended for this groundbreaking study of the influence of religion - or; rather; the instrumentalization of religious symbols - in the recent West African conflict.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Liberia's Civil WarBy John GibbsStephen Ellis's book is a fascinating exploration of the little known (to Westerners) history of the Liberian civil war. From 1989 to 1997 war raged across Liberia in West Africa; fuelled by child soldiers wearing women's clothing and wigs for "spiritual protection"; while high on marijuana and cane juice. The war was characterised by mindless brutality; relentless looting; and constant quests for greater power provided by spiritual forces; such as through tearing out and eating the hearts of conquered warriors.The book provides important insights into the causes of violence and war; and it provides a well-researched source of information. However; the content is at times repetitive and some of the author's opinions are puzzling. For example; he seems to consider it politically incorrect to talk about cannibalism; but it is fine to talk about human sacrifice. Both practices have been engaged in extensively by those seeking to obtain power from the spiritual world.The civil war essentially ended when the most powerful of the warlords; Charles Taylor; defeated the others; thereby obtaining a monopoly on violence and looting. In 1997 he was elected apparently legitimately (the people didn't want him to keep fighting for power); but the war started up again in 2000. Taylor is now on trial for war crimes; and the country is trying to recover from the devastation of the past 25 years.
