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Rating: 
Summary: Eye candy, but not a reference work
Review: This is a translation/reprint of a Musee de l'Armee publication.
The anonymously authored introductory text is very brief and
offers little beyond a short history and warning not to take
the plates (less than a 1/3 of the originals) on face value.
There is a recommendation for a work on the uniform regulations
themselves, but, of course, it's in French. There are no notes
on the plates.The plates, however, are very well done, and it's well worth
picking up as a remainder, even if it's just a picture book.
Rating:
Summary: Eye candy, but not a reference work
Review: This is an interesting and very useful volume, but it isn't for the novice. While there is an excellent introduction to the book, there are no captions and explanations for the seventy-six uniform plates. They are titled, so you know what they represent, but there is no detail that is explained. These are a representative sample of the new uniform regulations, commonly referred to as the Bardin Regulations, that were confirmed for the Grande Armee in 1812, but were probably not issued in any quantity until 1813. They are also the official illustrations used for the 1812 Regulations. There were two volumes of uniform plates, and two volumes of text. The detail and clarity of the plates are excellent. They are in a larger format than normal and in full color. They only cover the French line units-the Imperial Guard is not covered at all because they were not affected by the Bardin Regulations as they had their own uniform regulations separate from the line and light troops. The plates cover general officers and all the branches of the army: infantry, cavalry, artillery and train, as well as the Swiss regiments and the engineers. In short, there is much to recommend about this volume and not too much to criticize. It should, however, be used with other uniform references to give more explanation, but for the experienced enthusiast and uniformologist this volume contains enough information to stand on its own. This book is highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: The 1812 French Uniform Regulations
Review: This is an interesting and very useful volume, but it isn't for the novice. While there is an excellent introduction to the book, there are no captions and explanations for the seventy-six uniform plates. They are titled, so you know what they represent, but there is no detail that is explained. These are a representative sample of the new uniform regulations, commonly referred to as the Bardin Regulations, that were confirmed for the Grande Armee in 1812, but were probably not issued in any quantity until 1813. They are also the official illustrations used for the 1812 Regulations. There were two volumes of uniform plates, and two volumes of text. The detail and clarity of the plates are excellent. They are in a larger format than normal and in full color. They only cover the French line units-the Imperial Guard is not covered at all because they were not affected by the Bardin Regulations as they had their own uniform regulations separate from the line and light troops. The plates cover general officers and all the branches of the army: infantry, cavalry, artillery and train, as well as the Swiss regiments and the engineers. In short, there is much to recommend about this volume and not too much to criticize. It should, however, be used with other uniform references to give more explanation, but for the experienced enthusiast and uniformologist this volume contains enough information to stand on its own. This book is highly recommended.
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