In Napoleon's Shadow: The Memoirs of Louis-Joseph Marchand, Valet and Friend of the Emperor 1811-1821

Louis-Joseph Marchand's memoirs provide a unique and precious insight into the last days of Napoleon's Imperial project.
- He served alongside the Emperor from the apex of his reign to his eventual demise, depicting the Russian campaign, the campaigns of Germany and France, Napoleon's exile to Elba, and his defeat at Waterloo.
- Marchand's memoirs are a meticulous historical record and a fresh personal perspective on Napoleon, offering a glimpse into the man behind the commander and conqueror.
- The memoirs have been republished in English for the first time in two decades and represent a truly irreplaceable contribution to Napoleonic scholarship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 791 pages
Publication date: 05 June 2018
Publisher: Greenhill Books

In 1811, twelve young men were selected among the families in the Emperor's personal service to serve as ushers in his apartments. My mother, attached to the household of the King of Rome as the first nurse to the prince, requested this favor for me from the grand chamberlain, the Count de Montesquiou, and it was granted. Louis-Joseph Marchand's intimate memoir of his time as Napoleon's valet is the last of the significant Napoleonic manuscripts to be translated into English and a unique and precious insight into the last days of Napoleon's Imperial project. Serving alongside the Emperor from the apex of his reign and through his eventual demise, Marchand depicts, in remarkable detail, the Russian campaign, the campaigns of Germany and France, Napoleon's exile to Elba and subsequent escape, his defeat at Waterloo. Friend and confidante to the leader, Marchand was beside him at the Tuileries during the Hundred Days, and he was present to hear Napoleon's last words, "France, my son, the army," on the island of St. Helena. This sincere and authentic testimony from a man with nothing to hide, nothing to apologize for, is both a meticulous historical record and a fresh personal perspective on Napoleon. In this work, Tulard remarks in his preface, the Emperor speaks freely. Listen. Marchand presents the somewhat familiar history of the Emperor's decline as completely new territory through conversations, fond stories, and personal encounters. Marchand's memoirs, republished in English for the first time in two decades, represent a truly irreplaceable contribution to Napoleonic scholarship. Beyond the Emperor as commander and conqueror, Marchand, from his privileged vantage point, illuminates Napoleon the man in rich and absorbing detail.

In 1811, twelve young men were selected among the families in the Emperor's personal service to serve as ushers in his apartments. My mother, attached to the household of the King of Rome as the first nurse to the prince, requested this favor for me from the grand chamberlain, the Count de Montesquiou, and it was granted. Louis-Joseph Marchand's intimate memoir of his time as Napoleon's valet is the last of the significant Napoleonic manuscripts to be translated into English and a unique and precious insight into the last days of Napoleon's Imperial project. Serving alongside the Emperor from the apex of his reign and through his eventual demise, Marchand depicts, in remarkable detail, the Russian campaign, the campaigns of Germany and France, Napoleon's exile to Elba and subsequent escape, his defeat at Waterloo. Friend and confidante to the leader, Marchand was beside him at the Tuileries during the Hundred Days, and he was present to hear Napoleon's last words, "France, my son, the army," on the island of St. Helena. This sincere and authentic testimony from a man with nothing to hide, nothing to apologize for, is both a meticulous historical record and a fresh personal perspective on Napoleon. In this work, Tulard remarks in his preface, the Emperor speaks freely. Listen. Marchand presents the somewhat familiar history of the Emperor's decline as completely new territory through conversations, fond stories, and personal encounters. Marchand's memoirs, republished in English for the first time in two decades, represent a truly irreplaceable contribution to Napoleonic scholarship. Beyond the Emperor as commander and conqueror, Marchand, from his privileged vantage point, illuminates Napoleon the man in rich and absorbing detail.

Weight: 1292g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 61 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784382896