Two hundred years ago the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars convulsed the whole of Europe. These were key events in the history of the continent, and for Britain, and they are a fascinating field for historical ? and family history ? research. More records than ever are available on the men who served in the British army during the wars ? and on their families - and Carole Divall's new book is the perfect guide to how to locate and understand these sources - and get the most out of them. She gives a vivid insight into what soldiers' lives were like during the period and shows how much of their experience can be recovered from the records. Using the full range of sources - contemporary military records, correspondence, diaries, memoirs ? she reconstructs in detail the stories of a representative group of individuals who took part in the wars - a soldier who saw action as a marine in the Mediterranean fleet, a Gordon Highlander who was taken prisoner, riflemen who served at Walcheren, in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, artillerymen who played a crucial role in battles and in sieges, a gentry family whose sons served as officers in the Peninsula and in India, and two remarkable women who were among the many who went to war with the men. Carole Divall's informative and accessible book will be essential reading and reference for anyone who wants to find out about the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and is keen to understand the part an ancestor played in them. AUTHOR: Carole Divall is an English teacher who has a special interest in military history, in particular the history of the British army during the Napoleonic Wars. She has published articles on regimental history, on the workings of the army of Wellington's time and on aspects of the key campaigns. Her most recent publications are Redcoats Against Napoleon and Inside the Regiment, two studies of the officers and men of the 30th Regiment during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. SELLING POINTS: ? Vivid case studies of the officers and men of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars ? Shows how to research the stories of service men-and women-of the period ? Identifies and explains the key sources and demonstrates how to use them ? Information on the major museums and archives, including the National Archives ILLUSTRATIONS: 40
