In the Ranks of Napoleon's Grande Armée

"Soldiers, I am pleased with you! "

When he congratulated his men on the evening of the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon could not have imagined that thousands of Empire enthusiasts would gather every year to re-enact his major battles. From strategy to tactics, from manoeuvre to shock, from surprise to cunning, immerse yourself in the organisation of the Grande Armée and the Napoleonic battles.

Experience the harsh daily life of the grognards, from their recruitment to their baptism of fire, through their bivouac life, their leisure activities, their food, their suffering… March alongside them or don their ill-fitting uniforms, carry or handle their weapons amid the noise and smoke of furious combat. Follow their campaigns and battles step by step through maps.

Waterloo, Austerlitz… The re-enactments of Napoleonic battles attract ever-growing numbers of enthusiasts each year. This book presents itself as an illustrated, well-documented guide for all those passionate about the Grande Armée. The work details the military organisation of Napoleon's armies through a meticulous and illustrated presentation of each arm (artillery, infantry, cavalry…).

You share the daily life of the grognards, from their recruitment to their baptism of fire, through their bivouac life, their leisure activities, their food, their language, their suffering… And above all, you discover the Emperor's battle strategies, illuminated by detailed accounts of landmark battles (Austerlitz, Eylau, Wagram, Waterloo…), with maps, period paintings, colour plates of Napoleonic soldiers' uniforms, engravings, and genuine testimonies from soldiers and officers who lived through those battles.