These superb memoirs, never before published in English, are some of the finest to have emerged from the Napoleonic era. They give a dramatic insight into the life of a Napoleonic officer and his hazardous adventures through the perils and disasters of war.

For four long and bitter years Brandt was caught up in Napoleon's attempt to subjugate Spain - the Peninsular War - fighting in battles, horrific sieges (including the legendary siege of Saragossa) and hunting and being hunted by merciless bands of Spanish guerrillas. In 1812 his unit was ordered to take part in the invasion of Russia. Crossing the Niemen 2000 strong, his regiment of Polish infantry fought at Borodino and was completely destroyed in the epic retreat from Moscow - only sixty men returned.

Brandt's exciting narrative conveys what it was like to fight in the two most destructive campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars - episodes not of glory, but of sheer survival. His unique and gripping narrative paints a startling and detailed picture of life on the campaign, and the brutal face of battle, and conveys all the power and destruction of the Napoleonic epoch.

Jonathon North is a specialist in the Napoleonic era, concentrating particularly on Eastern Europe, and the author of a number of articles.