Napoleon‘s Elite Cavalry – Historical Book – Greenhill Books from Greenhill Books

Description

• A lavish presentation of Napoleon’s guard cavalry
• Ninety-one magnificent colour plates published together for the very first time
• Text detailing the men and uniforms of this elite of the elite

In a stunning collection of full colour plates, this superb book captures the spirit of the Imperial Guard cavalry and their role in Napoleon’s battles. It fully conveys the glory of soldiers of a military era surpassing the splendor of any other

The Imperial Guard was a prestigious formation held in awe by friend and foe alike. Hand-picked, magnificently uniformed and equipped, showered with honours and prestige, the Guard was a potent instrument of war and the cavalry of the Guard, above all, stood out as an elite within an elite.

This beautiful new book brings together, for the very first time, ninety-one colour plates by the celebrated artist en Rousselot. The plates, housed in Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, illustrate Napoleon’s key Guard cavalry units: the Dragoons (25 plates), a regiment established in 1806; the Chasseurs (27 plates), formed from Napoleon’s own personal bodyguard of Guides; the Polish Light Horse (25 plates), the first foreign regiment to be part of the Imperial Guard: and the Grenadiers (13 plates), the most feared of all the French army’s regiments. In addition there is one vivid picture of Napoleon, wearing his favourite uniform- that of the Chasseurs.

Carefully researched by the leading French exponent of the history of uniforms, Lucien Rousselot, from primary sources, including surviving uniforms and official documents, and brilliantly executed, these paintings are the very best of their type and superb examples of military art.

Accompanying texts by Edward Ryan provide information on the regiments uniforms, colourful Guard commanders and hard-fought battles, and an Introduction charts the origins and development of the Guard cavalry

This lavish and authoritative book is a beautiful and valuable addition to any library, and a unique collectors’ piece.