E Costello

The four stars are a huzzah for Ned Costello for surviving his soldierly carrer then taking the time and effort to write up his memoirs (which he admits at the end was hard work!). Really he ought to get a five star huzzah. Of course, you must interested in the topic and not be expecting a four or five star writing style for what you have here is a lively and unvarnished account of what it was like to be an ordinary soldier, albeit in an unusual regiment--the 95th Rifles. This is one of the first times soldiers were encouraged to exercise some autonomy and independent thinking (when out in battle). I say some, as discipline was still # 1. The 95th mostly backpedaled corporal punishment, and even in some cases encouraged the spread of literacy as well. Unusual for the time -- and inspired, in part, by what the 'redcoats' had experienced in America. This is the second memoir I've read -- the first, by Jonathan Leach, is more considered. Costello is from that class of families doing well enough to educate sons to some degree, then release them into the wild to fend for themselves. That Costello survived the full seven years of the wars in Portugal and Spain AND Waterloo AND was clearly a well-liked and well-regarded man on the whole -- rising slowly through the ranks and retiring as a Captain in the mid 1830's after a disastrously disappointing sojourn in a British Legion regiment, hired to fight (on which side, what faction) is still a bit obscure to me in internal Spanish war. (He did have a score of injuries, none terribly serious). He comments after his return there 20 years later, that anyone contemplating civil war should take a look at Spain -- ravaged by then by nearly thirty years of war and more on the way. The toughness of these soldiers is mind-boggling, as does the fact that so many young men were willing to sign up for this life (ahem, death) reveal how few choices there were -- both he and Leach remark on occasion that they count themselves lucky to be out into the world able to see so many unexpected sights, beautiful or awful and to experience the camaraderie of their companions. Worth dying for, better than staying at home and shearing sheep or working as a footman or servant or in some 'dark, satanic mill'. These are comments, mind you, not a review. I am reading a great deal from this period as I am writing an historical novel, a romance, and am immersed in the period and loving the experience. At moments, especially when reading these open-hearted and ingenuous memoirs, I am transported. Not always comfortable either but always enlightening. ****… (mehr)

The four stars are a huzzah for Ned Costello for surviving his arduous soldierly career then taking the time and effort to write up his memoirs (which he admits at the end was hard work!). Really he ought to get a five star huzzah. Of course, you must be interested in the topic and not expect a four or five star writing style for what you have here is a lively and unvarnished account of what it was like to be an ordinary soldier, albeit in an unusual regiment--the 95th Rifles in the early 1800's. This is one of the first times soldiers were encouraged to exercise some autonomy and independent thinking (when out in battle). I say some, as discipline was still # 1. The 95th mostly backpedaled corporal punishment, and even in some cases encouraged the spread of literacy as well. Unusual for the time -- and inspired, in part, by what the 'redcoats' had experienced in America. This is the second memoir I've read -- the first, by Jonathan Leach, is more considered. Costello is from that class of families doing well enough to educate sons to some degree, then release them into the wild to fend for themselves. That Costello survived the full seven years of the wars in Portugal and Spain AND Waterloo AND was clearly a well-liked and well-regarded man on the whole -- rising slowly through the ranks and retiring as a Captain in the mid 1830's after a disastrously disappointing sojourn in a British Legion regiment, hired to fight (on which side, what faction) is still a bit obscure to me in internal Spanish war. (He did have a score of injuries, none terribly serious). He comments after his return there 20 years later, that anyone contemplating civil war should take a look at Spain -- ravaged by then by nearly thirty years of war and more on the way. The toughness of these soldiers is mind-boggling, as does the fact that so many young men were willing to sign up for this life (ahem, death) reveal how few choices there were -- both he and Leach remark on occasion that they count themselves lucky to be out into the world able to see so many unexpected sights, beautiful or awful and to experience the camaraderie of their companions. Worth dying for, better than staying at home and shearing sheep or working as a footman or servant or in some 'dark, satanic mill'. These are comments, mind you, not a review. I am reading a great deal from this period as I am writing an historical novel, a romance, and am immersed in the period and loving the experience. At moments, especially when reading these open-hearted and ingenuous memoirs, I am transported. Not always comfortable either but always enlightening. ****… (mehr)