In the Service
of the Tsar Against Napoleon

Book Review

Reviewed by J. David Markham

The Memoirs of Denis Davidov, 1806-1814
Author: Translated and edited by Gregory Troubetzkoy
Pages: 223
Illustrations: 22 black & white reproductions of period paintings and engravings of political cartoons, personalities and events.
Maps: 3 for 1812 and 1813 showing general movements and areas of operations.
Footnotes: 16
Appendices: None, but a brief section of biographical sketches is included.
Bibliography: 18 books for further reading.
Index: 201 entries
Publisher: Greenhill Books, London
Publication Date: 1999
Binding: Cloth (hardbound)
ISBN: 1-85367-373-0
Price: $34.95
Summary: Denis Davidov, famous in Russia for his exploits as a an officer of hussars and partisan, was not only a warrior but was also a wonderful writer. His poetry and his prose were popular in Russia in measure relatively equal to his military heroism. Davidov was such an unusual man of his time that Tolstoy used him as a model for the devil-may-care character Denisov in War and Peace. The great Russian poet Pushkin also remembered him, referring to Davidov as a singer and a hero.

Until now, Denis Davidov's words were available only to readers of Russian. Now, thanks to the efforts of Gregory Troubetzkoy, they are brought to life in English. This is the first Napoleonic memoir by a Russian officer to be published in English and it is an excellent work: Davidov's humor, insight, and emotion literally pour from the pages of this book.

Troubetzkoy, by heritage a Russian Prince, is a Napoleonic scholar who specializes in the relationships between France and Russia. He has translated numerous Russian memoirs and documents for the International Napoleonic Society. Davidov could be a rough individual, as he came up through the ranks and made his reputation as a leader of irregular partisan guerrilla groups. He found it difficult to adhere to the more standard discipline of regular units. Yet he had a civilized, romantic nature about him as well. The campaign of 1812 was bitterly fought, seen by many Russians as something of a holy war and subsequently named the Patriotic War (World War II is called the Great Patriotic War by Russians).

Prisoners were not always taken, especially by the partisan groups. Davidov was always careful, however, to obtain receipts for his prisoners, and he treated them with respect.

Davidov's reputation mostly stems from his leadership of a band of cossacks and hussars in partisan activities against Napoleon's multi-national Grande Armee in the 1812 campaign in Russia. While much of his success came against stragglers and soldiers weakened by the awful conditions experienced during the withdrawal from Moscow, Davidov's efforts, using only a few hundred mounted horsemen at a time, caused the invading army a great deal of difficulty.

Davidov's descriptions of his 1812 campaign activities make for some of the best reading of that terrible conflict. Davidov was a true Russian hero of his time. But it is his writing ability that brings his campaigns --and his insight -- to life, and presents a view of the Napoleonic period only now available to the English-speaking public. Thanks to Troubetzkoy's lively translation, amateur and serious historians alike will want to read this book.

Excerpts from In the Service of the Tsar Against Napoleon

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