Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army - excerpt from 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Entry

by Scott Armstrong

In the aftermath of the battle of Borodino, 13 year old Henri Carle awakes under a cannon in a captured enemy redoubt. How did he get there and why is an officer saluting him for his bravery? In 1812, Napoleon launched his invasion of Russia with an army of 500,000 men. Only 20,000 survived the devastating campaign to return home. Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army is the story of the ill-fated invasion as witnessed by Henri. Attaching himself to the French army, Henri manages to stay close to his older brother during the buildup and march to Moscow. He ends up in the ranks after the army suffers devastating losses from disease, hunger and battle. Only a boy, Henri is forced to use his wits, skills and quick thinking to survive. He draws on the lessons learned from the people he meets and his own inner strength as he experiences the horrors of battle, the heartbreaking agony of the wounded left behind and the death of those around him. Henri's story is woven into actual events and incidents from that terrible campaign in this sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching, but ultimately uplifting adventure that paints a picture of what life was like for the common soldier. Readers will identify with the emotions and trials of shy Henri who comes of age and takes on the responsibility of a man while witnessing the tragedy of war.

13 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2011