Another Helion book arrived a couple of weeks ago — this time Frontier Soldiers of New France, Volume 2 by Kevin Gélinas. Like the first volume, it’s beautifully produced and absolutely packed with detail, but this one takes things further into the real life of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine and other colonial troops in New France. Unlike the first volume it is not co-authored by the late Rene Chartrand, but his influence is apparent.
Gélinas goes beyond just discussing regulations and standard gear, offering insight into how soldiers truly lived and fought—think snowshoes, moccasins, and tough leggings. The book provides an intriguing perspective on the ways European military practices adjusted (or sometimes failed to adjust) to the North American wilderness. Each chapter tackles a different aspect: from campaign clothing and gear for summer and winter, to cookware — like the curious ‘marmite cooking pot’ which I will not explain here — and shelters, bivouacs, and even officers’ unofficial equipment choices. The illustrations, photos, and colour plates are top-notch, making this resource invaluable for wargamers, modelers, and reenactors alike.
If you enjoyed the first volume then this is for you. It’s another cracking addition to Helion’s From Reason to Revolution series (No.145 in fact), and essential for anyone interested in the French and Indian War or the colonial frontier of New France. Highly recommended.
ISBN: 978-1-804516-79-9 227 pages, paperback.
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