The Illustrious Dead

Napoleon's unseen enemy during his invasion of Russia in 1812 was typhus, a bacterial infection transmitted by body lice. Thousands of his men died of it, contributing as much to the French emperor's failure to conquer Czar Alexander's vast empire as the opposing army. Narrator Stephen Hoye's mastery of Russian and French names and places adds authenticity to a sad and depressing account. He doesn't hurry, leaving plenty of time to absorb the intricate history of typhus and its recurring effects on military history. Hoye's skillful interpretation paints unforgettable images of men dying of disease, wounds, hunger, thirst, and cold while at war. Since the narrative does not rely on a cartographic understanding of terrain and troop movements, it adapts well to audio. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine