In These Times - Living in Britain Through Napoleon's Wars, 1793-1815 (Jenny Uglow, 2014)

(641 pp)

I very much like this kind of history - the author delves into what must be an incredible stack of period correspondence and documents, then finds a way to condense, organize and present it in a compelling manner.  Small-bore experiences playing out against the wide-ranging Napoleonic wars.

And it was an ideal follow-on to this just-read biography of Napoleon - useful to read it while the Napoleon sequences are freshly in mind.

A few thoughts -

1.  Virtually entirely from a British perspective - Napoleon from across the Channel.  Somewhat distant - yet very worried about invasion in the pre-Trafalgar days.

2.  Gave a better appreciation for how long these wars lasted - partly through stories of British families that sent more than one generation off to the war.

3.  Disruption of the British economy over a prolonged period - with, as usual, the common folk bearing the brunt of the economic pain.  (As well as providing the bulk of the cannon fodder - though I'd think a much higher percentage of "higher class" folks went into the military in those days, as compared to 2017 America.)  Smugglers take advantage of the trade restrictions - like always.

4.  While all this seems "long ago" - the letters consistently reveal attitudes and concerns so reminiscent of current times.

5.  After all - we have our own version of perpetual war.  British also masters at government propaganda to prop up the war effort.  (Never mind if the economy is harmed and so many folks are getting maimed and killed - be patriotic!  The threat is terrible!)

6.  Lots of dissent.  Lots of repression.  Free speech under attack.  What we would call "protesters" injured or killed by militia - who are acquitted.  Getting in trouble for not vigorously saying "God Save the King."

7.  Everybody hated the press gangs.  Many communities fought back, hard.  Led into some discussion of how the War of 1812 fit in.

8.  Much correspondence from well-known families - such as the Austens.  Lord Byron, Dickens relative, Walter Scott.  Etc.

9.  Nelson and Wellington as big-time heroes.

10.  Enclosure and agricultural improvement underway.  First railways.  War promotes some types of industrial or mechanical development.  Britain an impressive place, deeply struggling with working class, but staving off any real reform until 1832, per this.

11.  Sadness of injuries and deaths of soldiers on campaign - as reported in the correspondence.  Prisoners; prison brigs.

12.  Waterloo - culmination of a trend of higher casualty rates (better guns, etc.)  So many visitors picking up souvenirs on the battlefield; recall scenes in famous novels such as Vanity Fair or Les Miserables.   Can better see why this made such an impression.

Author ends by giving some follow-up on the families of some of the prolific letter writers, which was a nice touch.

The returning veterans had it tough - low or no pensions, injuries, too many returnees to incorporate into the economy - selling trinkets on the streets - quite a change from chasing Napoleon' armies.