Customer Reviews

The Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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

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.

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.

Obviously the reader below my comments have no idea of what was like being someone who have little education and being conscripted to a foreign army on an insane path of conquest of Russia by a human being many Europeans and Englishs considered as "The Little Monster", aka Napoleon. This footsoldier was just a man who just observed the long journey of the Grande Armee, taking only what he knew and understood without any intellectual pretentious babbles commonly founded in other books written by highly educated scholars and researchers. The book was the perspective of a simple soldier jutting notes based on his casual observations. So it's worth reading it. I think this reader below should take a lesson in history for himself.

I find this book to be a great read. Almost everyone has some knowledge of the glory of Napoleon and his mighty army but few have heard about the common soldiers who fought them. This book truly depicts the hell that is war. Although it's an easy read for anyone, it's of considerable historic value. It provides a first hand account of the methods of warfare for the better party of 16th-19th century. Excellent read, go get it.

Not a big enthusiast of the Napoleonic war, I was still compelled to read this book, being one who enjoys to read such first-person accounts. I have to say, it was very much worth it. Indeed, it is a short book, and therefore a quick read; but it is infused with a wealth of information about the life of a soldier of this era. The prose is clean and clear, and like the previous reviewer states, in no way marred by the agenda of the more scholarly memoirist. I highly recommend this book.

Very rare (unique?) among personal records of the Grande Armée in that it's the memoirs of a simple private, not an officer or a gentleman, and a German conscript at that. The downside to that is that young Jakob has little idea of the big picture, and (being a German and a conscript) doesn't much care: he just goes where he's told and does what he's told, and tries to survive. In the 1806/7 campaigns in Germany he's mostly on foraging duty and escorting supply trains; in the 1809 campaign (Austria) he sees some combat, but far away from the big-name battles. Then comes 1812, and he marches east: Smolensk, Borodino, and the disastrous retreat--very grim reading, not recommended for reading in January. But he makes it home in the end, gets invalided out, and lives happily ever after.

A couple things about the book as a book (besides Walter's adventures): for one thing, it's not really a diary, it's his memoirs as written down years later, so it's not full of day-by-day detail. For another, the quality of the translation is surprisingly clunky, and the proofreading poor. On the plus side, there's also included a half-dozen letters home from other German soldiers, for some more grunt's-eye-view of the Russian campaign (hint: grim, even before the retreat).

Interesting once, but short, little replay value, and then there's the reading quality issues.

Napoleonic campaigns and especially Napoleonic campaign in Russia is something that interests me a great deal for many reasons and I am always eager to read eyewitness' accounts. I was so happy when I found this book, I wanted to hear how soldiers coped through, not just read something from generals and officers' point of view. This book provides such perspective and as another reviewer noted it is surprisingly well written.

The "diary" (it was put together years after the Napoleonic Wars0 privides the reader with a decent perspective on the hard life of a conscript in Napoleon's Grand Armee. The fact that a conscript was literate is in itself remarkable - even more so when you judge the book's command of language (maybe with a little "help" from the editor.) But the book, as short as it is, is not for everyone. I would recommend it to those who are familiar with the Napoleonic campaigns, military historians, or those (like myself) who enjoy memoirs. The brutality and senslessness of the combat, and especially his account of the retreat out of Russia are fabulous. Less so the rest of the book, especially the letters at the end.

This is what it is. Not profound or hugely insightful, but if you are interested in these wars, or reading natural accounts or letters of times past, this was a quick read full of pathos but not bathos, and a reminder of just how lucky we have it. His description of trying to get over the last bridge, among a sea of people and cannon fire, taking 4 hours, is amazing. He was a lucky man, and it is clear he knew it.