Memoirs of Sergeant Bourgogne (1812-1813)

This is a fascinating account of Napoleon and his Grande Armée invading Russia and then the torturous retreat that is now a by-word for poor military leadership and even worse decision making. Written by an officer serving under Napoleon, it gives a heart stopping first person view of one of the most famous botched campaigns in military history, a campaign that ended with 30,000 troops returning to France from an original force of over 600,000.