Sunday, January 19, 2020

Christmas Books


Our friends Cindee and Bob "get" my love of history, etc in a way that my own family really doesn't. They help out at the local library and have been setting aside titles that I might like when they sort through the used book donations. I'd never heard of this one before, but it looks interesting; not so much a military history as a an examination of the relationship. From the jacket: 

    What did Napoleon Bonaparte mean to the British people? This engaging book reconstructs the role that the French leader played in the British political, cultural, and religious imagination in the early nineteenth century. Denounced by many as a tyrant or monster, Napoleon nevertheless had sympathizers in Britain. Stuart Semmel explores the ways in which the British used Napoleon to think about their own history, identity, and destiny.

    Many attacked Napoleon but worried that the British national character might not be adequate to the task of defeating him. Others, radicals and reformers, used Napoleon’s example to criticize the British constitution. Semmel mines a wide array of sources—ranging from political pamphlets and astrological almanacs to sonnets by canonical Romantic poets—to reveal surprising corners of late Hanoverian politics and culture.

Stuart Semmel is assistant professor of history at the University of Delaware.



An oldie but a goodie; I read it years ago, but now I have my own copy!


Now this was a book I was actually strongly considering buying myself. Lieven's ability to access and read the Russian sources is really improving our understanding of the Napoleonic Wars, and especially Russia's role in them. 


Some helpful Ospreys; I am about to paint up a lot of command figures!


I already have the (excellent) old Almark book on the French Artillery, but it is literally falling apart!


Can't go too wrong with my favorite Marshal front and center on the cover!


The "Bravest of the Brave" front and center this time!


They also custom ordered this tie for me; a bit hard to see, but it's a mix of Napoleonic Golden Bees and Bourbon Silver Fleur-de-Lis. Very stylish! Vive l' France!


17 comments:

  1. Very nice collection of gifts there Peter. I have a few of those myself, but now can't remember whether I have actually read "Russia Against Napoleon" or not which is quite disturbing.

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    1. LOL, Napoleonic reading Dementia there, Lawrence!

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  2. That's a lovely collection of books!
    Best Iain

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  3. Great collection of books and love the tie!

    all the best for your projects and plans for 2020

    cheers
    Matt

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    1. It would be very suitable for a visit to your establishment, Matt! Best of luck with your own projects and business as well!

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  4. The Lieven book is excellent. Would devour anything of his writing that I could get my hands on.
    Richard

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    1. I am especially eager to read the Lieven book; he has another about the 1813 campaign, if I recall correctly.

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  5. Nice haul not heard of the Napoleon and The British tome ?

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    1. Neither had I; as I said, I think it is more an analysis of the effect of Napoleon on British society, but still potentially interesting.

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  6. Nice haul of gifts! Lieven is a good one.

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    1. Yes, I was surprised that they found it in the used and dominated book bin! My gain for sure!

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    2. In many ways, the French were "more free" as a people than were the Brits during Napoleon's rule. True, you could be drafted into the French army, but I would argue being pressed into the British navy was worse. Also, the French got rid of their arrogant aristocrats, while the Brits were stuck with theirs.

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    3. I would tend to agree with you. Far from perfect, but within the constraints imposed by the state, ability and performance were rewarded far better than under the Ancien Regime.

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  7. Great friends, excellent collection!

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