Napoleonic Library – serie

Blaze's memoirs are one of the most fascinating recollections of the Napoleonic Wars ever to be published. Written by an officer of wide experience and colourful style, this memoir presents an outstanding picture of the First Empire, providing an officer's perspective of the character, customs and mode of operation of the French army. Its value is enriched and enlivened by anecdotes from the authors own experiences. Blaze entered the army as a youth, via the Imperial Guard elite organisation, a path only open to those of some wealth. After gaining his commission as an officer, he served in the campaigns from Poland in 1807 to the fall of France in 1814. The wide range and extent of his service made Blaze perfectly suited to produce a record of Napoleon's army during this climactic period.

In this detailed study, Kevin F. Kiley looks at artillery in use throughout the Napoleonic period. He examines Napoleon's own artillery as well as that employed by his enemies, and he evaluates the gunners' contribution to warfare in the period. By looking at particular battles in detail, Kevin Kiley shows just how the effective employment of artillery could tip the scales of victory. Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars reveals much of the technical aspects of gunnery during the period how guns were placed, their range, what calibres were preferred, how artillery operate. It examines French artillery, including that of the Imperial Guard, and compares it to that of Britain, Russia and Austria; it also looks at many of the personalities involved and the difference between good gunnery and mediocre artillery.Illustrated with beautiful line drawings and rare contemporary plates this unique book reveals a whole new dimension to the Napoleonic period. Based on years of research into regulations of the period, eyewitness accounts of artillerymen and material culled from official reports, this is a definitive account.

These lively memoirs date from the time of Barrs entry into the Chasseurs Velites (skirmishers, or light infantry) of Napoleons Imperial Guard in 1804. Always modest in recounting his own exploits, Barrs was not only at the cannons mouth, but also a participant at such spectacular events as the Coronation of the Emperor Napoleon in Paris and Rome, the torchlight procession on the eve of Austerlitz, the meeting of the two Emperors at Tilsit, and the magnificent military display in the Champ de Mars. His duties involved mounting guard at Malmaison and the palace of Saint-Cloud and also allowed him many fascinating glimpses of the Emperor at reviews, presenting awards and receiving trophies.This is a superb record of a serving soldier, making light of danger, sharing with the reader the fatigues and privations that attended so much campaigning in appalling weather and hostile country, and rejoicing as much in the outcome of a successful foraging expedition as his promotions and appointment as Chevalier de la Lgion dhonneur.