The Official Blurb
A collection of memoirs about the Peninsular War, the Battle of Waterloo, and society and personalities of Regency London and 19th century Paris, by a sometime Grenadier Guards officer, unsuccessful parliamentarian, and dandy. Gronow displays social attitudes of the day which would now be regarded as unacceptable, but is a clever raconteur who brings to life both the horrors of war and the gaiety of high society.
My Review
My ongoing interest in wargaming has for many years spurred my interest in all things of the Napoleonic period, and so this audio book came to my attention because it included the eye-attracting words "Waterloo" and "Penninsular".
There is not a single story running through this narrative, it is rather an series of anecdotes, genuine reminiscences of the life and times. These are not limited to war time memories but also capture events and people before and after the war. We hear of the socialites, the gambling houses, young men ruined, brave mean dueling, and the ridiculous lengths a man in love will put himself through!
We also have the war memories interleaved with other the other stories.
I was gluded to this audio book. The insight into another time totally absorbed me and the stories were thought provoking, humerous and interesting by turns.
Add to this the fact that the reader is of outstanding quality. I kept thinking that I was listening to a BBC history broadcast!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
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Get the first chapter.
