I begin the column this issue with some reminiscing about how I became interested in the Napoleonic period. Having always had an interest in things military from a very early age, I found my interests focused on the period by a combination of three events that occurred during the late 1960s. I recall drooling over a very impressive diorama in 25mm scale of the Battle of Waterloo, created by the late Peter Gilder for the Military Modelling tent at an Aldershot Army Display. At about the same time Airfix starting producing a range of 20mm plastic Napoleonic figures, conveniently priced at two shillings a box. Convenient, because I was on two shillings a week pocket money at the time! The third event was the issue of the film Waterloo, which served to strengthen my interest in the period.

Then one day, while browsing through the school library, I came across a newly acquired book entitled The Campaiqns of Napoleon by one David Chandler. This was a book that I avidly read from cover to cover, even managing to read a few pages over breakfast before school! Even now, whenever I see a bowl of Rice Krispies it brings back memories of those days when I was introduced to the fascinating and diverse period of the Napoleonic Wars! I had to wait a few years until I was earning a regular wage before I could afford my own copy, but even now this volume is an important and somewhat nostalgic part of my collection of things Napoleonic, alongside my boxes of painted Airfix Napoleonic figures and a frequently watched video recording of Waterloo..

The Campaiqns of Napoleon has recently been re-issued for those of you who have not acquired this classic work yet.

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Introduction
Books
Dr. David Chandler
Videos
Holidays