I learnt yesterday that the author of this book, the universally well known and prolific author René Chartrand had passed away, which makes this review a somewhat poignant one.
Armies and Wars of the French East India Companies 1661-1770 by the late René Chartrand landed on my doormat a few weeks ago, and I had just finished reading it and had started writing this review when I heard of his passing. He was a giant among authors and historians of the 18th Century, and of France (and New France) in particular. People better placed than me will no doubt write of his life and career, so I shall focus on this wonderful book.
This is the first ever book of substance published in English or indeed French that is devoted to describing the military forces maintained by the French East India companies and their far flung trading operations. Following hard on the heals as it does of a number of other Helion books covering largely British influenced activities in India over the same period this book is a good counter balance as it completes the circle with its focus on those often overlooked or skimmed over French East India Companies.
This work is literally packed with the fruits of extensive research collated over many years, and is lavishly illustrated with a large number of colour and black and white images. There are 12 gorgeous colour plates of a number of different French soldiers, European and native, by Patrice Courcelle. Another 18 pages of colour images from a number of sources depict further uniform details and contemporary images of a range of subjects focusing on the Indian sub-continent.
The book tells the story of the development and expansion of the French East India company from its early days, through to operations in Madagascar, India and the Indian Ocean, Siam ( this episode was a new one to me), Africa, Louisiana and other diverse territories. The impact the wars in Europe had on these operations is also examined.
As well as details of the organisational structure, uniforms and weapons, not just of European infantry, but including European cavalry, artillerymen, foreign and native units, we get an insight into the lives of these soldiers, both at home and overseas.There are several interesting appendices and an extensive bibliography for those who wish to research the subject of this book further.
I found this book to be bursting with information largely new to me in such detail. It is well written, and is a most engaging and enjoyable read, where the knowledge and enthusiasm of the author for the subject clearly comes through in the writing. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and it is one well worth getting if you have any interest in what it has to be said having read it, an incredibly fascinating subject.
ISBN 978-1-804513-40-8 soft cover 319 pages.