With Napoleon in Russia
Napoleonic News Desk
by Paul Chamberlain
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A sample illustration from “With Napoleon in Russia” Faber du Faur was a talented artist and front-line soldier who was part of Napoleon’s army advancing into Russia in 1812. He was one of the fortunate few to survive the disaster and he returned from Moscow with a sketchbook containing numerous drawings illustrating life on campaign, from the advance, the occupation and destruction of Moscow, the aftermath of battle, to the horrors of the retreat. With Napoleon in Russia is a collection of ninety-three paintings that du Faur subsequently produced from his sketches. These are accompanied by his memoirs that have been translated and edited by Jonathan North, and provide a commentary upon the scenes depicted. Perhaps the best comment on this work comes from du Faur himself, who in the original preface to his memoirs wrote: Those who took part in the terrible campaign will find in these pages a reminder of both the glorious and terrible days of 1812; those who only know of the campaign from what they have read will now find all their reading brought to life. To some, this book will call to mind the events of the campaign and glorious feats of arms; to others it will reveal the terrible consequences of a disaster - one that, perhaps, they had the good fortune to escape.
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This is to be an important publication from Greenhill in September, and presents a series of illustrations by Faber du Faur.
With Napoleon in Russia will be published priced at £40, and will include 93 colour plates and 35 sketches in colour and black and white. This book is the second very special large format volume published by Greenhill. The first was Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry: Cavalry of the Imperial Guard 1804-1815 (the paintings of Lucien Rousselot). The next will be another treat for Napoleonic enthusiasts in the form of Wellington’s Army: The Uniforms of the British Soldier 1812-1815 (Plates by Charles Hamilton Smith and text by Philip J. Haythornthwaite), to be published in 2002. For more information take a look at the Greenhill website www.greenhillbooks.com