"Napoleon's Gods: The Grenadiers à Cheval 1812–1815" Topic

"Napoleon's Imperial Guard was elite and self-confident, its mesmeric effect on friend and foe alike due to its close relationship with the Emperor. It contained the best seasoned and most highly-decorated veterans in the entire French army, the crème de la crème. They were the most fearsome and dedicated warriors of their day. From the plains of Spain to the snows of Russia, they followed closely behind the legendary black bicorn hat with the tricolour cockade, trusting absolutely in the genius of the man who wore it.

The senior regiment of the Imperial Guard was the Grenadiers à Cheval, nicknamed the Gods, and hence the title of this book. The silhouette of a Grenadier à Cheval is one of the most symbolic and most easily recognised images from the Napoleonic era, second only to the silhouette of the Emperor with his hat and grey riding cloak.

As heavy cavalry of the Guard, they took part in the charge of the cavalry of the Guard at Austerlitz. They especially took a share of glory with their charge at Eylau on 8 February 1807. They served in Spain, Austria and Russia. No other cavalry regiment in the French army compared to its service in 1813 and 1814, the campaigns of the Guard par excellence. They were present at Dresden, Leipzig and especially Hanau where they charged the Austrian and Bavarian cavalry, and took part in the famous charges of the Imperial Guard at Waterloo.

Now, for the first time, the story of this regiment is told in detail. This book provides a brief introduction to Napoleon's Imperial Guard and the regiment's place in it, as well as brief early history of the regiment, and a hoof to tack description of the Grenadiers à Cheval from the fateful Russian campaign of 1812 to its disbandment in 1815 following the disaster of Waterloo. It describes the horses, uniforms and equipment of the regiment, as well as regimental organisation, and provides short biographies of the officers and some of the men, giving a vivid picture of how the men of the regiment lived, and in some cases, how they died.

Illustrated in colour and black-and-white, this book provides a wealth of valuable reference material for historians (both amateur and professional), wargamers, re-enactors seeking authenticity, and to aficionados of the Napoleonic era alike"
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Amicalement
Armand

How can I pass this up? We are indeed fortunate to live in a time when we can have access to these kinds of books. My better half has failed to see the wisdom of that, however. Thanks Tango

I wonder if this is an expansion or an 'enhanced' version of his previous booklet on the Grenadiers a Cheval?

A votre service mon ami!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

It is not cheap, for a paperback, but obviously will be a relatively small scale release. Look forward to a review of this to see what novelty it offers.

If such, well worth it!

It is 'just' a little expensive, especially with the postage from the UK to the US.

And the book only covers 1812-1815?

Not at this time, anyways.

Dawson is a very good and diligent researcher, visiting archives, showing good transparency in his published works – not spreading dogma and bias, certainly a book to go for.

Agree with you my friend!….

Amicalement
ARmand

So we will finally learn if the Cuirassier du Roi short coat was an oxymoron and not work at Waterloo?

Indeed…..did they really wear the surtout, as Perrys etc would have us believe, or did they turn out in the proper rig, cut away to expose the waistcoat?

(and if they did not….. the Guard Dragoons surely did…)

I mean "worn"….not "work"……although it would not have worked, if most guesses are right!

Thankfully, Amazon are showing it as unavailable at the moment (I have far too many unread titles to get through), but I guess I might have to put it on my to buy list.

In the meantime, I have The French Imperial Guard Cavalry (No 2) by Jouineau & Mongin, and Ronald Pawly's Osprey (MAA 456) on the Regiment (both at a third of the price too) to keep me going.

Napoleon's Elite Cavalry by Edward Ryan is also excellent.

La Garde Imperiale Pendant les Cent-Jours (1815) by Pierre Juhel is also useful.

Glad you like it too my good friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Nap's Elite Cavalry…here is a good suggestion.

Put it on your wish list with in-laws, who usually buy you a book shop token, that you then lose.

I did suggest this last Christmas. I got more pleasure and they surely did. I sat all Christmas morning salivating over the illustrations……my 86 year old father in law spotted some errors in Rousellot's images….well he thought so…..it was an 1806 vs 1815 thing. Silly old chap

Juhel's book is illustrated by Keith Rocco, which is an excellent choice and idea.

"my 86 year old father in law spotted some errors in Rousellot's images….well he thought so…..it was an 1806 vs 1815 thing. Silly old chap"

In case he did – I compliment him about his mental alertness and knowledge, really not silly – but bright for an 86 year old.

He does well….he is my wife's father. His wife is 85.

He did complain more about the dragoons to be honest, with three pistol holsters, not two he thought…..and was sure the Grenadiers wore fringed epaulettes. Silly old chap. He confused them for the early Carabiniers (Honestly).

If, when I am 86, I can argue about Les Grenadiers a Cheval and their rig, I will be happy……