Young Bloods

Born in Ireland in 1769 in Ireland, Arthur Wesley was not expected to live following his birth, but somehow he did.  He grew up a sensitive child, and learned to play the violin.  On the other hand, the young Corsican, Naboleone Buona Parte was healthy and strong from birth in the same year.  He grew up to be a strong child, wanting to be a soldier.  Both boys were sent off to school, away from their family.  Naboleone was sent to France, while Arthur stayed in Ireland until his father decided to move to London to get away from the troubles brewing in Ireland.

It is at the school in France that Naboleone becomes Napoleon, more in line with the French pronunciation.  It isn't long afterwards that Napoleon is sent to the military school in Brienne.  It is there that he develops a love of history and studies the battles of the ancient world.  However, it is difficult for the Corsican to fit in with the French aristocracy.

Unfortunately for Arthur, the smog of London was not good for his father's health, and it would kill him.  What will the future hold for the now impoverished family?

Fortunately for Napoleon, he is accepted into the Military School of Paris.  Arthur on the other hand is sent to Eton to further his education.  Napoleon finds out that he is to serve in the artillery, and he must learn from the bottom up, despite being a lieutenant.  However, he takes the opportunity to get to know the men and the job.

Arthur is not an academic and after three years at Eton, his studies end there.  He then spends some time in Brussels with his mother before ending up in a military academy in Angers.  In 1787, Arthur was gazetted as an ensign in the 73rd Highland Regiment.  It isn't long before he is sent off to Ireland.  It is while he is in Ireland that he hears of the troubles brewing in France.

Meanwhile in France, Napoleon is studying and learning all he can about he artillery.  He is also paying attention to what is happening on the political scene.  He is angered by the starvation he sees amongst the peasants.  Shortly after July 14, 1789 news arrives about the taking of the Bastille.  Will France now tear itself apart?  Because his loyalties are suspect, Napoleon is ordered to go on leave in Corsica.

Arthur is persuaded by his brother, William, to stand for parliament.  Having requested leave from the army, he is successfully elected as Member for Trim.  Napoleon takes on political action of his own in Corsica, becoming an active member of the radical Jacobin Club.  He attempts a coup in Corsica, but fails.  He is then ordered back to France.

By 1792, France has declared war on Austria.  And, surprisingly Napoleon is promoted to captain.  Unfortunately Prussia has joined the war against France.  When King Louis is executed on January 21, 1793, Napoleon realises that France will now have all of Europe against it.  Forced to return to Corsica, Napoleon ends up endangering his family, and they are forced to flee to France.

Meanwhile Arthur is deeply in debt and hopelessly in love with Kitty Pakenham.  Unfortunately, Kitty's brother denied Arthur any chance of marrying her.

In 1793, Napoleon is placed in charge of the artillery sieging Toulon, a royalist port in the south of France.  There he meets Sergeant Junot, who will aid him in the siege.  It is Napoleon's plan that results in the capture of Toulon.  As a result, the Committee of Public Safety appoints him brigadier; a very rapid rise through the ranks for the young man.

By 1794, the French were turning the tide against their enemies, and other Europeans were getting the revolutionary feeling.  Like the French, they wanted to be rid of their kings.  Therefore the British army found itself retreating before the French.  Arthur had purchased the rank of Lieutenant-colonel, and was frustrated by the retreat.  It is here that he gets his first taste of war.

Author Simon Scarrow has written a brilliant historical novel, which introduces the main protagonists, Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wesley.  Scarrow has done in depth research and it shows in his writing.  I was thoroughly engrossed in the book, finding it hard to put down.  I am looking forward to the two sequels in this trilogy.