- Hardcover: 292 pages
- Publisher: Greenhill Books (1985)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0947898131
- ISBN-13: 978-0947898137
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,917,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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5 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
An 'Old Sweat' Tells His Tale
24 Jun 2000
Format:Paperback
This is one of the top three Napoleonic memoirs that I would recommend, the other two being Parquins Souvenirs, and In the Legions of Napoleon by Brandt. Jean-Roche Coignet started as an illiterate private, and worked his way up to Captain in the Imperial Guard, one of those loyal, ever-present, tough as nails Grumblers that marched and fought the length and breadth of Europe.
Coignet distinguishes himself in his first fight at Montebello in northern Italy in 1800 and is rewarded with a loaf of bread by Berthier, Napoleon's chief of staff. He is almost killed a few days later at Marengo, one of the few who survived in his company, and getting whacked over the shoulder by an Austrian cavalryman, which does effectively cut off his qeue, which saves his life.
He is one of the first recipients of the Legion of Honor in 1804, serves throughout the wars all the way to Waterloo, and kills a Prussian officer in a one-on-one contest between the lines outside of Paris. The Prussian was yelling insults and made him angry.
This is a great tale, well told by a loyal, hardworking, very good soldier who did more than his assigned duty. I have a picture of Jea-Roche Coignet, a photograph taken in old age-he still looks as if he could eat nails for breakfast, and wouldn't take too kindly of insults against his Emperor. Just seeing the picture made me believe the book.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
A classic memoir
24 Dec 1999
Format:Paperback
Very often used as a primary source, this classic memoir is well known to Napleonic writers such as John Elting. Many exciting stories, probably easier to believe than Marbot, though not as much fun and detail. Marengo and Russian campaings particularly good. Goes through his story swiftly and this may make many readers feel cheated.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Very good tale, a little biased
10 Jan 2002
Format:Paperback
This book worth the time and the money expended on it. M. Coignet was there, fought and lived to writte his tale. Excellent for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Wars. Besides it is a primary source for a lot of other works on this subject.
The author gives the soldier point of view, a battle is reduced to smoke, cries, fear and sweat. It is a very different thing them showed in the more usual historic approach. Superb.
The only problem is that M. Coignet, in his own words, is to perfect, everybody liked and helped him. Ok, he entered the dreaded Guard, but one can't satisfy everybody everytime. Otherwise a great book.
The author gives the soldier point of view, a battle is reduced to smoke, cries, fear and sweat. It is a very different thing them showed in the more usual historic approach. Superb.
The only problem is that M. Coignet, in his own words, is to perfect, everybody liked and helped him. Ok, he entered the dreaded Guard, but one can't satisfy everybody everytime. Otherwise a great book.
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