To my surprise the book arrived on Saturday, especially since the second delivery day was given as the 21st! On first sight it looks good and it should be different in that the contents are from a Polish point of view.
The book contains 2 route maps (Western Russia in 1812, From Smolensk to Moscow) and 3 battle maps (Borodino, Tarutino, Berezina) and 16 pages of various character and action prints, mainly in colour. It is divided into a short three and half page introduction and six chapters covering Opening Shots, Borodino, Moscow, Retreat from Moscow, Crossing the Berezina, The Long March Home. There is also an equally short Epilogue, followed by Annex 1-three pages of Biographical Notes, Annex 2-short Chronology of the Russian Campaign, Annex 3-Polish Units in the Russian Campaign of 1812, Index of names, Geographical Index.
The best part of course, is the actual eyewitness accounts, which I believe make any book worth reading. It is through these that you really get to experience the honour, the glory and humanity and the bravery but also the reality, the madness and the horror that is warfare.
'…The ditches were full of Russians. I wanted to protect the defenceless from death, but the enraged soldiers did not listen to their commander's voice, and hacked away, soaking their swords in the blood of their enemy….'
'…In the blink of an eye one could begin to see riderless horses running about…'
'…Whilst we took care of our winter preparations, the warm days faded and, on the nights of the 12 to 13 October, we were surprised by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain, something unheard of there at this time of year….'
'…This he did, placing himself immediately at the head of the infantry, with his sword in his hand, and leading the troops forward into battle. I walked next to him and recall, as plainly as if it were today, this old, grey-haired general, in his small fur boots, going in to the attack as if opening a dance….'
'…My head often rested on one who would not rise again, and I used to stand up and leave with indifference. Despite him being a stranger, I had also forgotten that he was a man…'
These are just quick popping in extracts I spotted from longer accounts but the book does look a worthy title to add to anyone's Napoleonic collection and certainly one for the 1812 campaign.
goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.