French Revolutionary Infantry 1789-1802

Description

The years immediately following the French Revolution of 1789 saw an extraordinary transformation of the French army. From a distrusted instrument of the feudal power of the king and nobility, it became the symbol of liberty and citizenship. The transition was complex and painful, as the remnants of the old professional army were joined by a flood of civilian volunteers and conscripts, of whom even the best were short of everything except republican fervour. This book describes the stages of the rebirth that produced an army capable of beating off half the monarchies of Europe, thus laying the foundations for Napoleon's unique victories ten years later.

Terry Crowdy was born in London in 1970. Initially a re-enactor, his interest in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars led to writing for specialist magazines. Having assisted with Campaign 70: 'Marengo 1800', his first Osprey title was Warrior 57: 'French Napoleonic Infantryman 1803-1815'. In addition to preparing new projects for Osprey, he is researching espionage during the Marengo campaign, and a history of the 'Incomparable' 9e Legere. Patrice Courcelle was born in northern France in 1950 and has been a professional illustrator for some 20 years. Entirely self-taught, he has illustrated many books and magazine articles for Continental publishers, and his work hangs in a number of public and private collections. His dramatic and lucid style has won him plenty of admiration in the field of military illustration. Patrice lives a few miles from the battlefield of Waterloo with his wife and son.