FOY, Sébastien-Maximilien, comte de.

Histoire de la guerre de la péninsule sous Napoléon, précédé d'un tableau politique et militaire des puissances belligérantes.

Paris, Baudouin frères, 1827. 5 vols, comprising the text 4 vols, 8vo (205 x 140 mm), pp. [viii], xv, [i, blank], 403, [1, blank]; [iv], 421, [1, blank], [2]; [iv], 406; [iv], 379, [1, blank], with ten plates (nine folding); half-titles present; occasional spotting; contemporary calf-backed boards; and the Atlas, tall 8vo (255 x 170 mm), pp. [iv], one portrait and five maps; original yellow boards; slightly soiled. First edition. A detailed history of the Peninsular War written by a French general who distinguished himself in the conflict. Foy was involved in the first invasion of Portugal, Sir John Moore’s famous retreat to La Corunna, the battles of Salamanca and Vitoria, and the fighting in the Pyrenees. Napoleon was so impressed by him when they met in 1810 that he promoted him to general of division even though Foy was known to have opposed Napoleon’s assumption of the imperial title. After the battle of Waterloo, Foy decided to retire from military life and write this history of a war which he had experienced at such close quaters. ‘A peine sorti de la vie miltaire, le général Foy conçut le projet d’écrire l’Historie de la guerre d’Espagne. D’autres époques étaient sans doute plus chères à son souvenir; mais il avait fait toutes les campagnes de la Péninsule; le souvenir en était encore tout récent dans son esprit et dans l’attention du public. Cette guerre formait comme une sorte d’épisode séparé des autres entreprises des armeés françaises. D’ailleurs, elle était bien plus mêlée de mouvemens populaires, d’influence des opinions, de diversités nationales, de considérations politiques. Enfin elle était à juste titre désignée comme la cause première et principale de la chute de Napoléon’ (preface).The Histoire, when it was published, became instantly popular, going through numerous editions within a short time. Foy, however, never saw the finished work, which was compiled after his death from his notes and correspondence at the behest of his widow.Foy ‘died at Paris on the 28th of November 1825, and his funeral was attended, it is said, by 100,000 persons. His early death was regarded by all as a national calamity. His family was provided for by a general subscription’ (Encyclopaedia Britannica).Farinelli p. 323.

• GBP 1,800.00 > autres monnaies
• Commande nro.: T2159

• libraire: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)