Fighting for Napoleon: French Soldiers’ Letters, 1799–1815
Fighting for Napoleon: French Soldiers’ Letters, 1799–1815 examines the Napoleonic Wars through the experiences of ordinary French soldiers. The listing describes an account based on more than 1,600 soldiers’ letters, offering a ground-level perspective alongside military history focused on strategy, organisation and officers’ memoirs.
At a glance
- The book focuses on the lives and experiences of ordinary French soldiers from 1799 to 1815.
- Its account is described as drawing on more than 1,600 letters written by French soldiers.
- Author Bernard Wilkin specialises in the history of the French army and French people at war.
Reference price: $49.99
Price checked: 13 Nov 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Offers a perspective centred on rank-and-file soldiers rather than mainly strategy, battlefield tactics or officers’ memoirs.
- The stated letter base gives the subject a primary-source focus.
- At 192 pages, it is a relatively concise account of the period.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Pen and Sword |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 1 June 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 192 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 139901966X |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1399019668 |
| Weight listed | 327 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 15.88 x 1.5 x 23.39 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in the Napoleonic Wars from the perspective of ordinary French soldiers.
- Military and cultural historians seeking a French view of the conflict.
- Readers interested in soldiers’ letters and everyday wartime experience.
Less suited to
- Readers looking primarily for a detailed account of battlefield tactics or military organisation.
- Readers seeking an officer’s memoir rather than a history centred on ordinary soldiers.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
55% 55% - 4 stars
25% 25% - 3 stars
11% 11% - 2 stars
6% 6% - 1 star
3% 3%
Aggregate ratings lean positive overall, with five-star ratings the largest category, but a substantial share falls below five stars. Without written customer feedback, the ratings do not establish what readers liked or disliked. They offer limited guidance on whether its rank-and-file French perspective and letter-based approach suit a particular reader.
Frequently asked questions
What perspective does the book take?
It focuses on the experiences of ordinary French soldiers, rather than treating the wars mainly through strategy, military organisation or officers’ memoirs.
What period does it cover?
The title and listing describe the period as 1799–1815.
What sources does the account draw on?
The listing says it is based on more than 1,600 letters written by French soldiers of the Napoleonic armies.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 192 pages.
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