published by Greenhill Books, $35 ISBN 1-85367-380-3 hardcover
287 pages, 25 photos, 9 maps

This pleasant memoir provides anecdote after anecdote about Lt. von Brandt's exploits in Spain and Russia. As such, it chronicles not grand battle and strategy, but the concerns of a company commander -- food, shelter, weather and small-unit fire fights. It consists of two parts: 179 pages of Spain, and 81 pages of Russia. Von Brandt's memoirs, smoothly translated by Jonathan North, sweep us along the dismal trails of Spain from one town to another, ambushed by guerrillas, defeating any organized troops, and crawling through the sieges of various towns. His encounters with the marshals of France, his wounds, and especially the hostility of weather and Spaniards comes through loud and clear.

In contrast, his travels through Russia are more concerned with military formations. Here, he is tethered to the army and, ultimately wounded, begins the retreat from Moscow ahead of the great mass of strugglers that would sweep by him. His descriptions of the wretched state of the Army, his brushes with fame and Napoleon, and his ultimate salvation in the snow are well done and fascinating.

Taken together, the book offers eye-opening clarity into the exploits of lower formations. As a bonus, Appendix A offers an account of a Spanish guerrilla ambush in May 1810 by a fellow Polish officer, Captain Mrozinski ofthe 1st Regt, Vistula Legion. Appendix B provides a table of strengths of the three regiments of the Vistula Legion 1803-1813, and Appendix C lists officer casualties of the Vistula Legion, 1808-1814. The introduction contains a succinct history of the Legion.

Too many memoirs are just hustled out the door without these supporting features. If you ever wanted to experience the art of book publishing, where author and publisher go that extra distance to provide a singular excellent exposition of form and function, In the Legions of Napoleon reflects that art.

Greenhill Books
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Web Site: www.greenhillbooks.com

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