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The Complete Brigadier Gerard: with 55 original illustrations by W.B.Wollen by Arthur Conan Doyle
jhouses's review against another edition
4.0
Su prólogo; una historia que puede considerarse precursora de las aventuras de Gerard y un historia sobre su compromiso que no aporta demasiado son las únicas partes que me faltaban tras haber leído por separado las "Hazañas" y las "Aventuras".
Las aventuras del brigadier Gerard no se terminan en un solo libro. En éste sabremos porqué su nombre despierta más odio en el ejercito británico que el de ningún otro oficial francés; cómo se ganó el respeto de su regimiento en Zaragoza o qué hizo durante la batalla de Waterloo entre otras hazañas. Otro clásico.
Las aventuras del brigadier Gerard no se terminan en un solo libro. En éste sabremos porqué su nombre despierta más odio en el ejercito británico que el de ningún otro oficial francés; cómo se ganó el respeto de su regimiento en Zaragoza o qué hizo durante la batalla de Waterloo entre otras hazañas. Otro clásico.
hotsake's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was a bind-up of two short story collections. The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard was fun, amusing, and fast-paced and I rated it a high 3.5 but The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard was less fun and only rated a low 3 stars.
Gerard is a vain, conceited not quite likeable braggart who tells tales of his exploits that sound far-fetched at best and outright lies at worst but the strange part was that even in his tellings he tended to fail in his missions at least as often as he succeeded.
Gerard is a vain, conceited not quite likeable braggart who tells tales of his exploits that sound far-fetched at best and outright lies at worst but the strange part was that even in his tellings he tended to fail in his missions at least as often as he succeeded.
deathpig's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute riot.
I had my doubts, starting on it after I'd read the masterpiece of Doyle's that is Sherlock Holmes. But I was pleasantly surprised to see none of Doyle's caliber was lost on Gerard. In fact, I found the book incredibly funny. Every story was meticulously detailed, and Doyle's legendary narrative added to the pleasure.
I had my doubts, starting on it after I'd read the masterpiece of Doyle's that is Sherlock Holmes. But I was pleasantly surprised to see none of Doyle's caliber was lost on Gerard. In fact, I found the book incredibly funny. Every story was meticulously detailed, and Doyle's legendary narrative added to the pleasure.
groucho's review against another edition
5.0
A brilliant series of stories about Brigadier Gerard, a French cavalryman in the Napoleonic wars, who by his own reckoning was "the finest horseman in all six brigades of light cavalry, and the best swordsman in the entire Grande Armee". His vanity gives you an idea of Conan Doyle's view of French arrogance, but he is nonetheless an extremely likeable hero. The stories cover a wide range of settings, from the Peninsular War, the retreat from Moscow, Gerard's imprisonment in England, Waterloo, and even an attempt to rescue Napoleon from St. Helena. Highly recommended.
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
skjam's review against another edition
4.0
Napoleon had many fine soldiers in his army. But by far the finest was Etienne Gerard, Brigadier of the Hussars of Conflans. Of course, that’s his own opinion, and now he is only an old pensioner who tends his cabbage garden and tells grand tales at the cafe. But to hear him tell it, Gerard was the bravest, handsomest fellow in the Grand Army, the best horseman and duelist, and Napoleon’s most faithful follower.
Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his detective stories, but wrote many other tales of interest. In this case, a series about a Napoleonic soldier on the French side of the wars. This was unusual at the time, since previous British literature almost always depicted the French military as the villains of any work taking place in the time period. The author sweetened things a bit by making Gerard a more comical hero.
Gerard’s bravery and loyalty are without question. However, he is more clever than wise. He might be the very fellow you want with you in a tight scrape, but is likely to have gotten you into that scrape in the first place. Gerard is more than once cozened by a pretty woman or a disguised bandit.
His personality is amply demonstrated by the first story in the collection, “The Medal of Brigadier Gerard.” Napoleon entrusts Gerard and another messenger with secret plans to be taken to his brother. Their route, however, takes them directly through territory that was just captured by the enemy. Gerard cunningly makes his way through despite several setbacks (including having to change uniforms with a Cossack), only to learn that the plans were fake and his actual job was to be captured! But Napoleon still gives him a special medal of honour.
After that, the stories bounce back and forth in Gerard’s career, including his captivity in England (with fun being poked at British foibles) and the reason Gerard wasn’t able to fight at Waterloo. (He does a lot of missions behind the scenes of history.) My favorite is “How the Brigadier Came to the Castle of Gloom”, a spooky tale of avenged honor.
Don’t get too attached to other characters in the stories–Gerard doesn’t always succeed in getting them out alive.
The last story in the regular sequence is “How Etienne Gerard Said Good-Bye to His Master” Gerard is recruited for one last secret mission–to rescue Napoleon from St. Helena. It does not end well. Because we’ve gotten to know Gerard, it’s an affecting moment as he bids farewell to the Emperor, and to his readers.
One story, “The Marriage of the Brigadier” is out of continuity, and written later than the others (in no other story does it ever mention that the Brigadier was ever married, and he even gives suggestions to the contrary.)
This is a fun collection of adventurous stories which you should be able to find on various public domain sites, or in this handy collection.
Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his detective stories, but wrote many other tales of interest. In this case, a series about a Napoleonic soldier on the French side of the wars. This was unusual at the time, since previous British literature almost always depicted the French military as the villains of any work taking place in the time period. The author sweetened things a bit by making Gerard a more comical hero.
Gerard’s bravery and loyalty are without question. However, he is more clever than wise. He might be the very fellow you want with you in a tight scrape, but is likely to have gotten you into that scrape in the first place. Gerard is more than once cozened by a pretty woman or a disguised bandit.
His personality is amply demonstrated by the first story in the collection, “The Medal of Brigadier Gerard.” Napoleon entrusts Gerard and another messenger with secret plans to be taken to his brother. Their route, however, takes them directly through territory that was just captured by the enemy. Gerard cunningly makes his way through despite several setbacks (including having to change uniforms with a Cossack), only to learn that the plans were fake and his actual job was to be captured! But Napoleon still gives him a special medal of honour.
After that, the stories bounce back and forth in Gerard’s career, including his captivity in England (with fun being poked at British foibles) and the reason Gerard wasn’t able to fight at Waterloo. (He does a lot of missions behind the scenes of history.) My favorite is “How the Brigadier Came to the Castle of Gloom”, a spooky tale of avenged honor.
Don’t get too attached to other characters in the stories–Gerard doesn’t always succeed in getting them out alive.
The last story in the regular sequence is “How Etienne Gerard Said Good-Bye to His Master” Gerard is recruited for one last secret mission–to rescue Napoleon from St. Helena. It does not end well. Because we’ve gotten to know Gerard, it’s an affecting moment as he bids farewell to the Emperor, and to his readers.
One story, “The Marriage of the Brigadier” is out of continuity, and written later than the others (in no other story does it ever mention that the Brigadier was ever married, and he even gives suggestions to the contrary.)
This is a fun collection of adventurous stories which you should be able to find on various public domain sites, or in this handy collection.
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