The Notebooks of Capitain Coignet


Book Description

The notebooks of Captain Coignet (1776-1865) are possibly the most legendary account of the services of a young conscript and his experiences under Napoleon’s consulate and empire. Having distinguished himself at the battle of Montebello, and awarded an arme d’honneur, he is inducted into the famed Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (having cheated the height restriction with the connivance of the normally strict Davout and four packs of playing cards in his stockings). Despite being illiterate until late into his adult life, due to his rough childhood as recounted in the first notebook, many famous personalities of the Empire are sketched in his honest style, although his own memory has somewhat embellished the facts. Prof. Jean Tulard refers to them as indispensible for understanding the mentality of the “grognard” or grumbler, the stalwart veterans of Napoleon’s Guard. This edition benefits from a preface by Lorédan Larchey (1831-1902) author of numerous French historical works, and over a hundred illustrations. Includes 101 illustrations and TOC







Soldier of the Empire


Book Description

Jean-Roch Coignet (1776 - 1865) was a French soldier who served in the military campaigns of the Consulate and First French Empire, up to the Battle of Waterloo. He wrote his memoirs detailing his military service in August 1848. These were initially published in Auxerre between 1851 and 1853 under the title Aux Vieux de la Vieille.







The Note-Books of Captain Coignet


Book Description

The famous recollections of a soldier of Napoleon's Imperial Guard Several English language translations of recollections written by the soldiers of Napoleon's Grande Armee have become famous as they bring the exuberant days of the First Empire of the French vividly back to life. Infantryman Sergeant Bourgogne's account of the 'Retreat From Moscow' and Parquin's and Marbot's wonderfully related experiences as light cavalry officers are fine examples. There can be no doubt however, that Jean-Roch Coignet's highly informative and readable account of his long career in the Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard is one of the most important French military memoirs of that period. From his difficult childhood to his time campaigning in the armies of the revolutionary period in Italy, from the campaigns and battles of the empire which set Europe ablaze to the snows of the disastrous Russian campaign, and finally to the fall of the emperor whom he idolised, Coignet served Napoleon loyally. Steadily rising to the rank of captain, Coignet rallied to his master's banner for the 'Hundred Days' which led to ultimate defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815. Abridged versions of this book have been published many times, but this Leonaur edition is not only complete but also includes two useful introductions which will be invaluable to students of both the times and the man. 'The Illustrated Captain Coignet' containing over 100 historically accurate drawings by Julien Le Blant is also available from Leonaur. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket; our hardbacks are cloth bound and feature gold foil lettering on their spines and fabric head and tail bands.










Napoleon's Men


Book Description

This is an original piece of research into the Napoleonic wars from the perspective of the ordinary soldier, available in paperback for the first time. >




Charge!


Book Description

One of the leading voices on national-security issues in the US Congress demonstrates how words have been sharp and powerful weapons of victory in this compilation of great military speeches that helped turn the tide of history. Congressman Israel has included speeches that have motivated and mobilized, challenged and comforted. Some were blurted in the heat of combat, others carefully written in places far removed from the brutality of the battlefield, but all will inspire readers with the courage that moved people forward against all odds. This dramatic sweep of military history in the words of history's military leaders serves to reinforce the concept that the pen is mightier than the sword. Congressman Steve Israel represents New York's second district and is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and former member of the Armed Services Committee.