24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a quick read that's worth it, July 28, 1997
By A Customer
This review is from: The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier (Paperback)
This diary reads very fast, maybe not so much because it's a small book with large-ish text but more because it is written with surprising skill-- surprising considering the author was a Napoleonic "foot" soldier, a non-officer (i.e. a common man that most likely had little access to a "quality" education). Walter himself mentions that many of the people he meets on his journey to Moscow are without any schooling whatever, even the simplest of religious teachings, and that many children can not read or write. That realization obviously attests to Walter's own level of learning compared to the average citizen, and Walter's writing is obviously well above that level -- even if it does not approach genius -- making this work very accessible.
What I appreciated most about this diary was the point of view, that of the poor, starving, battered, exhausted soldier in the ranks, which serves as a definite counterpoint to a commanding officer's battlefield or campaign memories. Reading an account by a Napoleonic general's aide on the building of bridges to cross a river during the Moscow retreat and reading Walter's impression of the same event is quite enlightening. The general's experience, one of honor, valor and sacrifice, seems world's away from Walter's experience of horror, squalor and pointless death. Without placing one account or type of account above the other in terms of "rightness," I view it as extremely valuable to be exposed to both.
Still, as interesting as this work is, it is necessary to point out that many, very many, of Walter's observations and assertions, particularly those involving his own motives, are questionable. The simple fact that the work was written some years after the wars -- which in itself seems to dissuade the use of the word "diary" -- allows for error in judgment and interpretation, but it seems that Walter is given to rationalization of hard actions and building up the correctness and moral certitude of his own character. In other words, this book, like all books, I suppose, should be read with circumspection.
Also, I enjoyed the account of the Moscow retreat most out of any section of the book, and I saw the added letters at the end as the least useful. It does have some valuable background in the introduction, but as it really lacks a sweeping account (and why should it have it?) this book should make up a small portion of a larger study of the Napoleonic Wars
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!!, January 27, 2005
This review is from: The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier (Paperback)
An outstanding book for anyone interested in history. Although it was somewhat common for politicians, generals and admirals to keep logs, it was extremely rare for a person of lower rank to write anything. Mainly because few of them could read or write.
The main part of the book and by far the most interesting is the authors diary of Napoleon's march into Russia during 1812. Nearly half of million men entered Russia. Jakob details the problems of such a large army and the lack of food. The Russians were destroying everything whilst in retreat. These problems however were nothing compared to that which was to come after the army left Moscow to return home. Only 25,000 from 500,000 survived. Jakob barely got out alive despite the hunger, attacks from other soldiers in his own army and the Cossack raids onto the rear of the retreating army.
The book was not written as a daily diary. That was just not possible. Jakob wrote the diary years later. The main item that stands out is that he details the facts without clouding the images with any political views or emotions.
I truly wish that there were more books of this nature by the common solider or sailor.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely interesting, March 17, 2004
This review is from: The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier (Paperback)
I had absolutely no knowledge of war in general or of this era but just happened upon this book and found it a totally compelling read. Absolutely fascinating. Keep in mind too that I am female, college educated (engineering/art) but one who avoided all history and related classes like the plague in high school & college--but I truely enjoyed this book and it made a huge impact on my mind. I plan to insist that my children read it. It certainly makes one thankful for what one enjoys in our society today.
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