French Infantry During the Seven Years War , Volume 2, Part 1.

Jean-Louis Vial has produced another solid and quietly impressive volume, the sort that rewards anyone with even a passing interest in the French Army of the mid-eighteenth century. This second instalment, French Infantry During the Seven Years War 1756–1763 volume 2: Regimental Distinctions and Colours; Part 1: French Regiments No. 1 to No. 74, covering regimental distinctions and colours for these regiments, continues the meticulous approach of the first book but feels even more assured in its presentation.

Vial’s strength lies in clarity. He manages to make a potentially dry subject—buttons, lace patterns, flag variations—surprisingly digestible. The organisation is clean, the detail is steady rather than overwhelming, and everything is backed by careful research. It is simply reliable, well-evidenced, and easy to use.

The colour plates and uniform artwork are, as expected, one of the highlights: crisp, attractive, and immediately useful for painters and wargamers. In fact with 32 pages of colour illustrations of each of the regiments’ uniforms and ensigns, we have something of a jackpot of detail to feast upon. However, the accompanying text is where the book earns its keep, guiding the reader through a complicated maze of uniform evolution without ever tying knots in one’s brain, well almost in my case. The uniforms of each regiment are discussed in some detail which complement the splendid regimental illustrations. There is even a concise service history for each regiment.

All told, this is a thoughtful, well-constructed reference that delivers exactly what it promises—and does so with quiet confidence. A pleasing addition to the shelf for anyone drawn to the Seven Years War or the ever-fascinating tangle of French regimental history.

This is No.151 in Helion’s from Reason to Revolution 1721–1815 series.

ISBN: 978-1-804515-40-2                    114 Pages Paperback