The French army 1750–1820: Careers, talent, merit

A thoroughly researched and clearly written account of the French military from the Revolution to the Restoration, exploring the evolving idea of merit This book examines the transformation of the French military profession during the momentous period that saw the death of royal absolutism, the rise and fall of successive revolutionary regimes, the consolidation of Napoleonic rule and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy after the Empire's final collapse. Crossing traditional chronological boundaries, it brings together periods in French history that are usually treated separately and challenges established views of change and continuity during the Age of Revolution. Based on a wealth of archival sources, this book is as much a social history of ideas like equality, talent, and merit as a military history. Front matter Contents List of tables Acknowledgements Glossary Introduction The merits of birth: lineage and professionalismin the Old Regime The meanings of merit in 1789 The death and rebirth of the officer corps, 1790–93 Republican meritocracy in the nexus of war, civil strife, and factionalism The politics of professionalism during Thermidor and the Directory, 1794–99 Napoleon’s improbable synthesis: monarchy and meritocracy in the reconstruction of the officer corps, 1799–1815 Conclusion Bibliography Index