David Ebsworth

I have had for years a soft spot for Napoleon Bonaparte. Also, I find the French revolution is a very interesting subject. But I’m not that interested in war or any kind of field battle. So reading this book for me was sometimes a bit hard since the story takes place during the last days of the Napoleonic Wars. Thankfully, the story in itself, that we are following two women during the war is something that makes reading about battle much easier.

Marianne Tambour is a canteen mistress for a battalion of the Imperial Guard’s Foot Grenadiers and she is determined to give herself and her daughter a better life after this campaign. A life without war something they have never experienced. Then she meets Liberté Dumont, Dragoon Trooper and sometimes spy for the French Minister of Police Fouché.

I found the book both interesting to read and a bit hard to read, as I wrote above, I just have a problem with war, but I liked knowing more about the Napoleonic Wars and about women’s part of the war. I never really thought that women were soldiers in the war and it was interesting to know more about the lives of canteen mistress´s something I never know anything about. It was a great moment in the book when some characters from Les Miserable’s showed up, I knew about it since it I read it in the preface, but then I forgot about it until they showed up in the story. I liked the portraying of Napoleon Bonaparte in the book that he is part of the story not just mentioned. I loved reading about how the French people just loved him, the soldiers that adored him and died for him.

David Ebsworth has done a tremendous work both with the research and writing this book. It's very well written. But, I admit that it felt a bit heavy to read sometimes, but still the core story, about Marianne and Liberté kept me going since I wanted to see how it would end for them.

I enjoyed gaining new knowledge about the Napoleonic Wars and this is a perfect book for anyone interested in Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Revolution or/and the Napoleonic Wars. Or anyone just interested in history.


Thank you Le French Book and David Ebsworth for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!… (meer)

I have had for years a soft spot for Napoleon Bonaparte. Also, I find the French revolution is a very interesting subject. But I’m not that interested in war or any kind of field battle. So reading this book for me was sometimes a bit hard since the story takes place during the last days of the Napoleonic Wars. Thankfully, the story in itself, that we are following two women during the war is something that makes reading about battle much easier.

Marianne Tambour is a canteen mistress for a battalion of the Imperial Guard’s Foot Grenadiers and she is determined to give herself and her daughter a better life after this campaign. A life without war something they have never experienced. Then she meets Liberté Dumont, Dragoon Trooper and sometimes spy for the French Minister of Police Fouché.

I found the book both interesting to read and a bit hard to read, as I wrote above, I just have a problem with war, but I liked knowing more about the Napoleonic Wars and about women’s part of the war. I never really thought that women were soldiers in the war and it was interesting to know more about the lives of canteen mistress´s something I never know anything about. It was a great moment in the book when some characters from Les Miserable’s showed up, I knew about it since it I read it in the preface, but then I forgot about it until they showed up in the story. I liked the portraying of Napoleon Bonaparte in the book that he is part of the story not just mentioned. I loved reading about how the French people just loved him, the soldiers that adored him and died for him.

David Ebsworth has done a tremendous work both with the research and writing this book. It's very well written. But, I admit that it felt a bit heavy to read sometimes, but still the core story, about Marianne and Liberté kept me going since I wanted to see how it would end for them.

I enjoyed gaining new knowledge about the Napoleonic Wars and this is a perfect book for anyone interested in Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Revolution or/and the Napoleonic Wars. Or anyone just interested in history.


Thank you Le French Book and David Ebsworth for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!… (meer)

This book was a very pleasant surprise. I was not expecting all the treats that I got so enjoyed the book all the more for them.

For one thing, this author succeeds where others have faltered or failed completely: the perfect balance between epic battle atmosphere and superb, intimate characterization. As the story barrels down towards the epic Battle of Waterloo (as it’s known to the British), the reader is caught up in this epic squaring of forces, occasional skirmishes, and drumming to war. Yet, all the while, the reader is introduced to two fantastic female characters and their compatriots. The author did a wonderful job in getting into these women’s heads and developing vibrant personalities to carry the story along on. I felt like I got to know Marianne, Liberte, and their families and friends just as well as if I was reading a straight forward character study rather than an epic war story.

Now let’s chat about that epic… The sheer amount of research that has evidently gone into this novel is amazing, hands down. The author gave us such a detailed account of this important battle, the developments leading up to it, and some of the fall out as well that I found myself learning bucket loads right along with enjoying the journey. It’s also not just the battle details that the author explored. He also delved into the gritty details of the regular Joe soldier in the French ranks, how they lived on the march, and how their families survived right along with them on the road. It almost read like the ultimate camping trip but with death, possible starvation, and blood along for the ride.

This novel is a fantastic historical fiction read. It gave me the ultimate of what a book in that genre should be: an exploration of an intriguing historical event, setting the scene for that event with fantastic period details, and creating a cast of characters the reader comes to care for and cry over. David Ebsworth has succeeded where others have failed, creating a unique and incredible balance of the epic and intimate, to bring forth into this world a true 5 star historical fiction read. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys this genre.

Note: Book received for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

Ebsworth dispatches the reader to the bowels of The Battle of Waterloo complete with bloodshed, carnage and harsh conditions. His accomplished and vivid writing depicts battle scenes with such a powerful force you’ll visual the mayhem and madness ensuing before your very eyes as well as the remnants left behind – squinting your eyes closed as blood spills from the pages. The drama takes on a life of its own, far from theatrical, you’re as near to combat a civilian can be from the safety of their armchair. Affecting, especially given he explores this historical battle from the ‘rears’ focusing on two incredible female protagonists. The brutality of war is graphic adding to the narrative, the trenches are unkind as we experience in his interpretation addressing mental, emotional along with physical demands battle claims.

Selecting two amazing female characters create an unforgettable force. Learning of their experiences, their reasons for joining the campaign, their thoughts and feelings exposed and explored as they are amidst and bear witness to the cruelty and butchery. Ebsworth is detailed covering all angles, an intimate account of females embroiled in battle yet showing their strength and vulnerability as women.

“She had simply been Marie, or maybe Anne, back at the beginning. But by the time both she and the Revolution were three years old, the name Marianne had come to symbolise the entire Republic. The folk of Provence sang of “Marianne’s Cure”, a hymn to Liberty and Reason. And there were legends. About the woman of the barricades, wearing red cap and clogs, pike and musket in hand, leading the common people to their destiny.”

Masterfully crafted, balanced perfectly between the ravages of battle and the emotional investment the reader with honor the two formidable female protagonists plucking at your heartstrings. Excellent delving into a historical event portrayed from the ‘rears’ through their eyes, actions, sacrifices and suffering, the toughness of women examined and presented in an indelible manner. A grandiose historical event delivered in animated form by a skilled author. Looking forward to more of David Ebsworth’s stellar genius.… (meer)