Mercer's journal is one of the most outstanding eyewitness accounts of the Waterloo campaign ever published. It is a classic of military history. This new, fully illustrated edition, featuring an extensive introduction and notes by Andrew Uffindell, one of the leading authorities on the Napoleonic Wars, contains a mass of additional material not included in the original.As the bicentenary of Waterloo approaches, this beautifully prepared, scholarly edition of Mercer's work will be essential reading for anyone who wishes to know what it was really like to fight in the final, great battle against Napoleon. Captain Mercer was in acting command of G Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. His journal vividly describes the campaign, from his landing at Ostend as Wellington's army began to assemble, through the excitement and confusion of the battle itself, and on to the occupation of Paris and the conclusion of the war.His graphic account - which is just as readable and relevant today as it was when it was written - is full of telling, authentic detail, for Mercer was a gifted, sensitive writer and an acute observer, and he was equally adept at capturing the scenery, people's characters, and his remarkable experiences while under fire.
Reviews
War diaries represent a substantial genre of military history in their own right. The quality of such eye-witness accounts varies considerably in terms of both their reliability and historical value, but Mercer's recollections form one of the most important accounts of the Waterloo campaign. The value of this book has been greatly increased by the introduction and notes provided by Andrew Uffindell, a leading expert on the Napoleonic Wars. The addition of the academic commentary raises the importance of this book beyond that of a normal war diary and sets a high standard for future publications. - Military History Monthly



Book Information
ISBN 9781848843653
Author Cavalie Mercer
Format Hardback
Page Count 400
Imprint Pen & Sword Military
Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd