The complete campaigns and battles of a young guards officer during the Napoleonic WarsCaptain Rees Howell Gronow, formerly of the Grenadier Guards, came to the attention of the British reading public during the middle years of the 19th century when he published a work of anecdotes of his life- much of it spent in London and Paris during the Regency period and thereafter. His collected snippets of insight, humour and gossip concerning the cream of high society of his time were an immediate success. Such was their popularity that another three volumes were subsequently written. Indeed, Gronow's books remained in print until modern times. A substantial number of these tales were-since the young Gronow had left Eton to become an ensign in the prestigious First Foot Guards (later Grenadier Guards) during the Napoleonic Wars -devoted to his time as a serving soldier; initially during the latter stages of the Peninsular War as the conflict progressed from Spain into south-western France and later-after the defeated emperor had absconded from Elba-during the One Hundred Days Campaign including the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo. Gronow was also present on the ensuing pursuit to Paris and the occupation of the French capital. Gronow wrote to entertain his readers and his prose is occasionally humorous, always vividly graphic and keenly observed. Gronow's collection of exclusively military anecdotes have been edited and presented in this book chronologically and appear within a brief history of the First Guards during the period he describes for context . Contains illustrations not present in earlier editions.Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
