Fighting the British

The material which makes up the basis of this rather unusual title has lain in archives for centuries, meaning it has been available to historians if they wished to make use of it. However, it has taken father and son, with their combined interest in Napoleonic Wars, to scour the archives for first-hand accounts of the ordinary French soldier to use as the core to produce this work. Around this material, they construct a view into the social life of the French soldier at the time when pitted against his British counterpart. Whether on the battlefield, before or after battle, it is a remarkable achievement. The chapter dealing with the French soldier as prisoner is most inciteful and shows a side of war not often seen or considered. This is a book which will all those interested in Napoleonic period will enjoy and return to time after time.

Authors:

Bernard Wilkin and Réne Wilkin

Publisher:

Pen and Sword Books Ltd, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

ISBN:

9781473880818

Price:

£19.99