1032 The Retreat from Moscow, by R. F. Delderfield (read 6 Nov 1969) This is an intriguing account of Napoleon's Russian adventure in 1812. The account, written by a British historian, is not overly critical of Napoleon and permeates with evidence of a non-pedantic Napoleon specialist. The retreat of course is a study in horror. I could not help but be "for" those heroic retreaters--illogical as it is to be "for" Napoleon. The author says Napoleon was merely fighting for French Revolutionary principles, not personal glory. Well . . . The ending of this book moved me much: "These men...could still be found in every town of France on inro the middle of the 19th century. . They were scarred martyrs to rheumatism, and not a few of them lacked a limb. They had survived several revolutions, two emperors and two restorations, but the long procession of notabilities who passed in and out of the State apartments of Paris between 1815 and 1871 made no impression upon them. Their loyalty had been given to the man who has led them across mountain ranges, deserts and snowbound plains and it was never shared with his successors. They remembered the time when they had marched and cursed and looted along roads leading to almost every capital in Europe and as they sank into obscurity they clung to their marital pride and the memories of unimaginable triumphs. It is to these forgotten men that this book is dedicated.'' I like to think that my great-great-grandfather's brother is one to whom this book is dedicated! ( )