Product Description

This illustrated volume chronicles Napoleon's 1812 Russian campaign, and the great battle on the River Moscowa.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #549032 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-04
• Original language: French
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

Good source of uniform details, but no battle history
These books are quite frustrating and I echo the comments of the other reviewer. The history of the battle is completely partisan and quite useless, and the book's worth lies in its uniform plates. These plates are very useful, and are particlarly good with Napoleon's foreign contingents (e.g. Polish, Wurttemberg and Italian troops are all well illustrated). Some plates are replicas from other books in the series, but there is sufficient new material to make it a worthwhile purchase (there is also an interesting cross-section of the Grand Redoubt). The plates only cover those troops that fought in the battle itself rather than the 1812 campaign generally, so, for example, there are no Bavarian or Saxon infantry. The unit histories also make interesting reading: there are potted biographies of all generals and unit commanders and in many cases breakdowns of unit strengths in July and then November.

Two major problems though. First, there is no commentary on the French uniforms (although there is a commentary, but fewer plates, in respect of Russian uniforms). Secondly, the translation in some places is dire: what on earth is "pretentious" cavalry? Worth adding to one's library but only if other, more established uniform books are already in it.

serial disappointment; except for wargamers
There are now several books in this series by M Hourtoulle. The translations are appalling, lacking the slightest feeling for the meaning. The narrative sections were patchy at best even in the original French. So forget the texts. However, the illustrations are extremely valuable for those interested in uniforms and the books' main value lies on the individual regimental listings. I am very impressed by the level of detail on individual units' combat records and officers' careers. Wargamers will get good value from these; no-one else need explore here. I'll continue to buy this series; but really there is little excuse for the standard of the translations.

Useful unifrom data but....
I own several books on Borodino, all from an English perspective so I was interested to find a French based source.

The book has pictures of the uniforms of all the regiments on both sides that were present - which can be very useful if you have no other sources.

The translation into English is poor and therefore the narrative of the battle suffers and does not add much to the value of the book.

In summary, useful as background data, but less good as a history of the battle.