The notebooks of Captain Coignet (1776-1865) are possibly the most legendary account of the services of a young conscript and his experiences under Napoleon's consulate and empire. Having distinguished himself at the battle of Montebello, and awarded an arme d'honneur, he is inducted into the famed Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (having cheated the height restriction with the connivance of the normally strict Davout and four packs of playing cards in his stockings). Despite being illiterate until late into his adult life, due to his rough childhood as recounted in the first notebook, many famous personalities of the Empire are sketched in his honest style, although his own memory has somewhat embellished the facts. Prof. Jean Tulard refers to them as indispensible for understanding the mentality of the "grognard" or grumbler, the stalwart veterans of Napoleon's Guard. This edition benefits from a preface by Loredan Larchey (1831-1902) author of numerous French historical works, and over a hundred illustrations.

These memoirs, regarded as among the best of the Napoleonic period, create an abiding impression of life in Napoleon's armies. First time in paperback.

Jean-Roch Coignet (1776 - 1865) was a French soldier who served in the military campaigns of the Consulate and First French Empire, up to the Battle of Waterloo. Coignet was conscripted in 1799 and served as a grenadier in the 96th Line. Early in his career he fought hard at the Battle of Montebello and the Battle of Marengo, after which he was promoted to the guard and awarded the Legion d'honneur. As a grenadier of the guard Coignet fought at Ulm, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau and Friedland. After being promoted to corporal, he took part in the invasion of Spain and the Battle of Somosierra and the pursuit of the British army. Coignet then fought at Aspern-Essling. After victory in the campaign Coignet rose to the rank of sergeant, eventually becoming baggage-master. Coignet was sent on a series of solo missions for the Emperor during the disastrous invasion of Russia. After this, Coignet was promoted to captain in Napoleon's staff. Coignet participated in the campaigns of 1813-1814 and rejoined the Emperor during the Hundred Days. He was present at Ligny and survived Waterloo. Coignet settled in Auxerre, running a tobacconist's shop. He later wrote his memoirs detailing his military service in The Notebooks of Captain Coignet after the death of his wife in August 1848. These were initially published in Auxerre between 1851 and 1853 under the title Aux Vieux de la Vieille.

The notebooks of Captain Coignet (1776-1865) are possibly the most legendary account of the services of a young conscript and his experiences under Napoleon’s consulate and empire. Having distinguished himself at the battle of Montebello, and awarded an arme d’honneur, he is inducted into the famed Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (having cheated the height restriction with the connivance of the normally strict Davout and four packs of playing cards in his stockings). Despite being illiterate until late into his adult life, due to his rough childhood as recounted in the first notebook, many famous personalities of the Empire are sketched in his honest style, although his own memory has somewhat embellished the facts. Prof. Jean Tulard refers to them as indispensible for understanding the mentality of the “grognard” or grumbler, the stalwart veterans of Napoleon’s Guard. This edition benefits from a preface by Lorédan Larchey (1831-1902) author of numerous French historical works, and over a hundred illustrations. Includes 101 illustrations and TOC