In the Legions of Napoleon: The Memoirs of a Polish Officer in Spain and Russia, 1808-1813

32 illustrations ,9 maps ,6 x 9 A superb evocation of life in Napoleons armies A classic account of the Peninsular War and the 1812 invasion of Russia These superb memoirs, never before published in English, are some of the finest to have emerged from the Napoleonic Wars. They recount the adventures of a man who, by the time he was twenty-five, had marched from Madrid to Moscow and had been severely wounded on three separate occasions. From 1808 to 1812 he was caught up in Napoleons attempt to subjugate Spain, fighting in battles, sieges (including the siege of Saragossa) and hunting and being hunted by merciless bands of guerrillas. In 1812 his unit was ordered to take part in the invasion of Russia. Crossing the Niemen 3,000 strong, his regiment and was completely destroyed in the epic retreat from Moscow. Brandts exciting memoirs paint a startling picture of life on campaign, and the brutal face of the Napoleonic battlefield and make for gripping reading. Jonathan North is a specialist in Napoleonic history, concentrating on Eastern Europe. Read more