In Afghanistan you own only the ground under your feet
During the First Afghan War, Sale's Brigade left Kabul ahead of the disastrous retreat under Elphinstone that followed the abortive attempt to place and retain Shah Shuja on the throne of Afghanistan. Harried every step of it's way south towards British India, this little force of British and Native Infantry supported by cavalry and artillery eventually reached the comparative safety of Jellalabad where it withstood a severe and protracted siege by hostile Afghan forces. The situation was desperate with dwindling supplies of food requiring hazardous sorties outside the defences. Then a lone horseman staggered into view-the sole survivor of an annihilated British Army.

FROM VICTORY TO DEFEAT IN AMERICA This is an account of a young Subaltern of the British Army in Southern France at the time of Napoleon's abdication, who fifi nds himself celebrating the end of hostilities in a way that belies his true emotions. He needs a good war. Enthusiastically he embarks for the war in America, where he takes part in the landings, the Battle of Bladensburg and witnesses the fall and burning of Washington and the attack on Baltimore. After fifi erce fifi ghts with American Regulars and Militia Riflfl emen, and sea battles with Privateers, events turn to the fateful attack on New Orleans and scenes of one of bloodiest actions experienced by the British in America - all is graphically related by a serving soldier who was an active participant.

A young officer at war against the Napoleonic French Army
Gleig is a well known author of military works on the Napoleonic era and after. He has left us several histories-all well written-and most notably he was responsible for publication of the stories of several ordinary soldiers who-without his support and penmanship-would not have been able to tell their stories in print; such a loss would have been great for history. Gleig's interest was not simply academic. however. He served in a British regiment of light infantry under Wellington and saw action in the latter stages of the Peninsular campaign including the crossing of the Pyrenees and the final battles of the war in the south of France. Every first hand account is worthwhile, but Gleig brings a talent to his writing which makes his own experiences both informative and a pleasure to read. His further adventures in the War of 1812, some of his histories and his 'ghost written' accounts of soldiers' experiences are also published by Leonaur.

A cavalryman's account of the Napoleonic Wars
Norbert Landsheit-was an old soldier at the Chelsea Pensioners Hospital when he told the fascinating experience of his military life to G. R.Gleig, the author of several well known military autobiographies and histories and ghost writer for several ordinary soldiers tales of the Napoleonic period. Born within the German states this young cavalryman first went to war as one of Hompesch's Hussars engaged in the disastrous campaign in the Low Countries against the armies of Revolutionary France. Transferred into the British Army this horse-soldier then saw years of campaigning during the long wars against the First Empire including hard service in the Peninsular War. As a light dragoon and once again as a hussar Landsheit takes us on an engaging journey through early nineteenth century warfare filled with detail of camp life and adventures on and off the battlefield. Previously available only as an expensive antiquarian edition or as a rare facsimile reprint, this memoir of the Napoleonic era will delight all enthusiasts of the period.