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Title: Napoleon's Commanders (1) C1792-1809 (Elite, 72) by Philip Haythornthwaite ISBN: 1-84176-055-2 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: May, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: What You'd Expect & More
Comment: Not a typical Osprey book in that it covers a number of personalities in such a small space; however, if you understand this, you'll be very happy with the book. The illustrations alone are worth it. If anything it'll give some otherwise unknown anecdotal info that'll have you wanting to do more research.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great illustrations
Comment: I bought this book for only one purpose, the illustrations by P Courcelle, never mind the text! I have seen this artist's works in other books but he has particularly excelled himself in this book. His drawings have a certain vitality and the colours are fantastic. It also helps that the subject matter of Napoloenic commanders finery bordered on the extravaganza!
Rating: 4
Summary: Into The Fire
Comment: This is an excellent volume that gives mini-biographies of French generals from the Revolution to 1809. Not all of them worked for Napoleon, though most did, so the title is something of a misnomer, but that does not affect the book at all.
It is a well-written and well-researched book that also gives some of the lesser known general officers their just due. Custine, a general of the early Revolution who was unjustly guillotined and Dumas, father to Alexandre Dumas Pere, as well as Kleber, Desaix and others populate this volume. Dumas is particularly interesting being a mulatto who rose to the highest ranks in the French army, was immensely strong, and had a mind of his own. Desaix is a particular favorite, one of the best generals produced by the Revolution, who recognized early the talent in Davout. Napoleon considered Desaix 'the best balanced of his lieutenants.' His untimely death at Marengo leading the decisive attack that won the battle, ironically on the same day that the gallant Kleber was assassinated in Egypt, deprived Napoleon of two of his best commanders.
Dorsenne, handsome and gallant, and the commanding officer who straightened up the Grenadiers a Pied of the Imperial Guard, a man so imposing and fearless that the bravest grenadier would tremble when Dorsenne stepped in front of him at inspection, is thankfully included in this role of honor. Elzear Blaze, in his famous memoir said that Dorsenne was so fearless in combat that he would turn his back on incoming artillery fire to dress the ranks of his grenadiers. Blaze was nothing short of amazed that he could do this. When he tried it himself on another battlefield, he says that he couldn't stop himself from looking for incoming artillery rounds. Simply unbelievable.
To round out the stars of the Grande Armee represented here, Berthier, Davout, Lannes, and Lepic of the Grenadiers a Cheval and the great charge at Eylau, who told his troopers before the charge when they started to take incoming Russian artillery fire, 'Heads up, by God!-Those are cannonballs, not turds!' Later, he and some of his troopers were surrounded by Russian cavalry as the charge ran out of gas. Summoned to surrender, Lepic refused and the tough Horse Grenadiers cut their way out. Seeing Napoleon later, Napoleon remarked that he was very glad to see him and that he had heard Lepic had been captured. Lepic's reply that the only way he would be caught was by being killed in action. Clearly the characters of the Grande Armee are covered here as well as some of the old reliables.
The artwork is superb, as is all of Patrice Courcelle's work. I was a little leery about buying this book, as in the past I have been disappointed with Haythornewaite's work for Osprey. It was Courcelle's name on the book that sold it for me. Both the author and artist have done excellent work here. The volume is well presented and is footnoted, something I was told by another author that Osprey would never do. To say that I am pleased with this volume is an understatement and I am looking forward very much to volume two. The only drawback is the book wasn't long enough. Highly recommended and it is a visual and literary treat.
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Title: Napoleon's Guards of Honour: 1813-14 by Ronald Pawly, Patrice Courcelle ISBN: 1841764884 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Napoleons Red Lancers (Men-At-Arms) by Ronald Pawly, Patrice Courcelle ISBN: 1841765082 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Napoleon's Dragoons and Lancers (Men-At-Arms Series, No 55) by Emir Bukhari ISBN: 0850450888 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: March, 1982 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Napoleon's Cuirassiers & Carabiniers (Men-At-Arms Series, No 64) by Emir Bukhari, Angus McBride, Emir Bakhari ISBN: 0850450969 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: June, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Napoleon's Hussars (Men-At-Arms Series, No 76) by Emir Bukhari ISBN: 0850452465 Publisher: Osprey Pub Co Pub. Date: June, 1980 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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