The French Army, 1750-1820 - Careers, Talent, Merit (Hardcover)

The period 1750-1820 saw the death of royal absolutism, the rise and fall of successive revolutionary regimes, the consolidation of Napoleonic rule and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy after the Empire's final collapse. This volume examines the transformation of the French military profession during this momentous time. Based on a wealth of archival sources, it is as much a social history of ideas such as equality, talent and merit as a military history. It provides an analysis of shifts in the idea and practice of merit before, during and after 1789, crossing the chronological boundary of 1789 to bring the histories of the Old Regime, Revolution, Empire and Restoration together. It also makes available a comprehensive examination of the changes in military personnel and institutions that laid the basis for Napoleon's armies.