Redcoats: The British Soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars by Philip J Haythornthwaite

Redcoats: The British Soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars by Philip J Haythornthwaite

What was a British soldier's life like during the Napoleonic Wars? How was he recruited and trained? How did he live on home service and during service abroad? And what was his experience of battle? In this landmark book Philip Haythornthwaite traces the career of a British soldier from enlistment, through the key stages of his path through the military system, including combat, all the way to his eventual discharge.His fascinating account shows how varied the recruits of the day were, from urban dwellers and weavers to ploughboys and labourers, and they came from all regions of the British Isles including Ireland and Scotland. Some of them may have justified the Duke of Wellington's famous description of them as the 'scum of the earth'. Yet these common soldiers were capable of extraordinary feats on the battlefield that eventually turned the course of the war against Napoleon. As well as describing the men and their backgrounds, Philip Haythornthwaite explains the workings of the complex military organization that took them in - the regimental system in particular - and the different types of unit in which they served. Using graphic contemporary testimony and records, he reconstructs the often miserable living conditions the men endured in barracks and camps. He looks at their diet, their social life, their opportunities for promotion and advancement, and at the harsh code of discipline that governed them. He considers, too, how these men interacted with the civilian population at home and on campaign overseas, and the experiences of their wives and children. He also records the confusion and terror of combat as it was seen by the ordinary soldier.Throughout the book the author draws on his encyclopedic knowledge of the military history of the Napoleonic era to give an accurate insight into the lives and living conditions of British soldiers 200 years ago.

Philip Haythornthwaite is an author and historical consultant who specializes in 18th and 19th century military history, uniforms, and equipment. His primary field of study is the Napoleonic Wars. He's published more than 40 books, including more than 20 Osprey volumes, as well as countless essays and studies on military history, but he still finds time to play cricket.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781844159581
ISBN 10	1844159582
Title	Redcoats: The British Soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars
Author	Philip J Haythornthwaite
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Year published	2012-10-01
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.