An explanation of the Otto Manuscript is necessary before a discussion of the book can begin. Brown University's Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection holds among its massive collection of military art a bound set of paintings of Napoleonic soldiers identified as a "Set of 98 Contemporary Watercolours." These watercolors were painted by an anonymous author and were named after the first known owner, Major Otto of Baden. These 98 watercolors are the basis and heart of this book.

These period illustrations are one of the truly few eyewitness renditions of Napoleonic uniforms. They date from about 1807 and Mr. Dempsey devotes the first chapter to authenticating and dating them.

The remainder of the work consists of a color plate of one of the Otto figures on each right hand page and a detailed discussion of the uniform, its variations and significance on the opposite left page. Illustrations are provided of officers of several ranks, Imperial Guard, line infantry, cavalry, artillerists, and support troops of every type, and even a short selection of Italian soldiers.

There is a wealth of information on the details of French uniforms, showing numerous regimental variations. Though I have never seen the originals, the renderings in the book are clean and sharp. The level of detail presented in the illustrations is very, very high.

The book is quite simple and direct in its presentation. The language is clear and precise.

Though obviously not as broad as Colonel Elting's Napoleonic Uniforms, the Otto manuscript being confined to a specific year, the book is a wonderful work that should be on the shelf of any individual who is a serious student of the uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars.

Reviewed by George Nafziger