The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier: A Unique Eyewitness Account of the Face of Battle from Inside the Ranks of Bonaparte's Grand Army

I first introduced myself to this book because I was intrested in the Napoleonic wars. From other books and sources, I was able to gather general information on thd historical events which took place in the era. This book which carries the dairy of a common foot soldier in the wars show a more in dept aspect to the conflict. Instead of just learning that the troops retreated from Russia and susstained cassualties. The diary really explicates the horror and also the benevolence of humanity. Without this book, I would never fully understand the harsh and harrowing journey that a sinle soldier faced durring the war. Secondry, the specified story which the book gives the reader, it is much more easier to folow along compared to a strict informational book on the topic. It is sugested that the reader should hold general information of the topic before reding.

The battles ,the march back home during the Russian winter,trying to find food to survive,and men freezing to death.very in dept.

It is a fascinating account of an ordinary foot soldiers life in the army of Napoleon. A rather brutal life at that. Certainly there was nothing romantic about it. I had always believed that most of the casualties that the Grand Army of the French Empire suffered were on the retreat from Moscow. However the attrition rate on the march to Moscow was astounding also. It was a very badly planned campaign with the lack of food causing so many poor soldiers to die. As one who was an ordinary conscripted soldier myself once upon a time I was quiet upset at reading about the way these men were treated. It brings home the horrors of war in all its starkness, and how unimportant the ordinary soldier was in the eyes of the generals and 'Powers that be'. Cannon fodder is a mild description. I hope more diaries like this are discovered and published.

Great read into the life of this guy and all he went through. Not just him but the entire army.

This is what it is. Not profound or hugely insightful, but if you are interested in these wars, or reading natural accounts or letters of times past, this was a quick read full of pathos but not bathos, and a reminder of just how lucky we have it. His description of trying to get over the last bridge, among a sea of people and cannon fire, taking 4 hours, is amazing. He was a lucky man, and it is clear he knew it.

After reading a brief biography of Napoleon, I picked this book to get acquainted with the harsh lives of soldiers. I agree that Napoleon was a great soldier and strategist, but the events that ocurred in the Russian Campaign were disastrous, with a total disregard for the lives of soldiers, especially the allies. These people died slowly, mostly because of starvation and the cold weather, fighting and dreaming to get home alive.A few people did manage to get home alive, and this story is a unique account of that, in particular when the army have to "reculé" from Moscow. A fascinating book to learn the unknown facts of wars in this period.

Mine came from my seller with a slightly noticeable crease on the cover-protector, and more marks in it than I expected, but it was definitely in the advertised condition. Nice, easy to read, little if any damage to the pages, no funny smells, and most of all - the reading was excellent.

Napoleonic campaigns and especially Napoleonic campaign in Russia is something that interests me a great deal for many reasons and I am always eager to read eyewitness' accounts. I was so happy when I found this book, I wanted to hear how soldiers coped through, not just read something from generals and officers' point of view. This book provides such perspective and as another reviewer noted it is surprisingly well written.

Personal diary study of a mind-boggling campaign - Napoleon in Russia - when read in conjunction with other studies this provide the close up personal experience which is so hard to place in context of a huge military campaign which if minds had been working properly at the time should never have taken place.Reading Jakob Walter's description of the whole campaign, the march into Russia, and the terrible retreat from Moscow, crossing the bridge at Berezina, but not only that amazing event, tests a modern reader's comprehension of personal hardship. Recommended for anyone with a strong stomach.

An autobiographical account that illustrates an early 19th-century soldier's lot: a life of monotonous drudgery occasionally punctuated by bouts of violence, often bewildering and without warning.Jakob Walter was a German from a close-knit Württemberg family, loyal to his French rulers. It is interesting to compare his experiences with the those of Frenchman Sergeant Bourgogne (see:  Memoirs of Sergeant Bourgogne, 1812-13 ), when both were members of Napoleon's Grande Armée during it's disastrous Russian Campaign and subsequent retreat. Memoirs of Sergeant Bourgogne, 1812-13

a very unique account as most soldiers at this level were not literate. The book is good and benefits from being written by a soldier who was on the ground and in the front line. A good little read and quite accessible. I am unaware of any other book quite like thisIf this review was helpful please click the yes button

Rarer than steak tartar. A real footsoldiers account and a conscript forced into the Napoleonic side. Thievery, banditry and lots of skulduggery recorded...who knows what frightfulness he left out.A must for any reader of the Napoleonic wars.

Very informative. Enjoyed reading it