When deciding to purchase this book as another of my Christmas list, the title and write up excited me as I expected an account rather like that of Mercer's Waterloo campaign. Sadly that was not the case.
The book is based on the authors journal of his very long service as an artillery officer from 1775 to 1832 with the emphasis on the period before Waterloo. It was originally published in 1895 by his grandson.
The author spent the vast majority of his career either on the staff or commanding various artillery trains or training schools. He actually saw very little combat. Consequentially the book is more of a European travelogue as the author describes each city or town he visited, the character of the various people and the houses etc where he stayed.
If you are interested in the day to day life of a French officer and the geography of Europe at this time, this book will be of interest. If you expect an account of Napoleon's artillery in battle you will be very disappointed.
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