Military History Fans will really enjoy this book. Sadly it wasn't for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pen and Sword for the ARC Copy.

John Gordon Smith was a surgeon with the 12th Light Dragons in the Battle of Waterloo. This book is his story in his own words. His journal entries were published in 1830 but this is the first time since they are being published in their entirety. Many stories were so scandalous that real names weren't used. Interesting stuff!

Physical and mental suffering were rife in war and many anecdotes are described here from the suffering of the regiment, horrific wounds and surgery, effects of weather, food, lodging, alcohol, disease, deserters, illness and those who were invalided. So many stories stood out to me but a few are those of the horses eating wheat and regimental stamps on horses, cutting off limbs, what needed to be done with bodies and women collecting their dead men. Smith's writing is engaging and fascinating with its vivid imagery and multi-sensory descriptions of his harrowing experiences. It is impossible to fathom what soldiers suffered.

Military History fans would really appreciate this book. It is very detailed and in depth and as such quite genre specific, though I enjoyed it as a rabid History reader. I am pleased to have learned a lot about the battlefield in general as well as various weaponry used.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book.

An interesting and invaluable historical book from a military surgeon acting as an eye-witness in the battle of Waterloo.
Detailed depiction of the 1800's, the era, the preparations, the people of Belgium and France, the difficulties and setbacks he encountered, the battle, the aftermath, the occupation of France.
A really important personal record of that time

An amazing piece of history which has been faithfully and cleverly edited so as to be accessible to a modern audience. For fans of social history, true accounts obscure perspectives, this publisher always delivers, and this book is a perfect example.

Incredibly interesting nonfiction book about battle surgery and medicine. Any history lover will absolutely need this book.