Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army

by Scott Armstrong, Sandie Armstrong (Editor)

Overview

The year is 1812. Fourteen-year-old Henri Carle has heard about Napoleon’s great victories his whole life. France rules the continent of Europe and the name Napoleon strikes fear in the hearts of those that face him. When France prepares to march to Russia with 500,000 men, young Henri has no idea that the army he has attached himself to will be reduced to a beaten rabble of barely 20,000 within six months.

During the buildup and the ill-fated Russian campaign, Henri goes from a shy boy who is unprepared for life on his own to a confident, courageous soldier. As he is maturing and becoming a man, the army is disintegrating around him. They face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in a desperate struggle to reach home. Utilizing actual incidents and events from the invasion and disastrous 500-mile retreat, this fictional account, as seen through Henri’s eyes, brings a crucial turning point in history to life.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013361812
Publisher:	Red Barn Publications
Publication date:	09/24/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	161
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Scott Armstrong drew on a lifetime of American Revolutionary War re-enacting, travel through Europe, and extensive reading on a wide range of topics, especially history, to bring Henri's story to life.

A history major in college, he first became interested in Napoleon's ill-fated invasion of Russia while taking a course on the French Revolution and Napoleon. Inspired by his teenage daughter, Helen, he successfully completed NaNoWriMo in 2010. His goal was to write a story that would appeal to Helen as well as to his son, Nathaniel, age 10. The result was Russian Snows.

Scott is the publisher of a family activities and resource guide called Parents' Source (www.ParentsSource.com). He grew up doing living history activities with his family. He and his wife, Sandie, met while re-enacting the siege of Savannah during the Bicentennial celebration. Later Scott and Sandie both participated in a parade in Paris on the Champs Elysées as part of a re-created French regiment during the 200th anniversary commemoration marking the end of the American Revolution.

Scott lives in southeastern Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Editorial Reviews

This is a terrific story. Henri has an adventurous spirit and endures so much. I can certainly recommend this book!

Paul Trainor

The author’s details of sight, sound, and smell bring pictures to life. We hear swords being sheathed, smell fresh bread still warm from the oven, and see the bright colors of military uniforms.

Lizzie Ross

The imagery is well-conceived and the degree of suspense and anxiety as seen through the eyes of [Henri] is vivid. Young readers will be engaged by this story and learn about the troubles of war in a compelling, personal way.

Alan Preston

[Russian Snows] brings a humanizing perspective to Napoleon’s failed invasion of Russia. The characters, especially Henri, really make this story.

Publishers Weekly