The Recollections of Rifleman Harris
Published on 18. August 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-1-4746-2631-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Describing narrow squeaks and terrible deprivations, Harris's unflowery account of fortitude and resilience in Spain still bristles with a freshness and an invigorating spikiness' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY
'A most vivid record of the war in Spain and Portugal against Napoleon' MAIL ON SUNDAY
Benjamin Harris was a young shepherd from Dorset who joined the army in 1802 and later joined the dashing 95th Rifles. His battalion was ordered to Portugal, where he marched under the burning sun, weighed down by his kit and great-coat, plus all the tools and leather he had to carry as the battalion's cobbler - 'the lapstone I took the liberty of flinging to the Devil'.
Rifleman Harris was a natural story-teller with a remarkable tale to unfold, and his Recollections have become one of the most popular military books of all time.
'A most vivid record of the war in Spain and Portugal against Napoleon' MAIL ON SUNDAY
Benjamin Harris was a young shepherd from Dorset who joined the army in 1802 and later joined the dashing 95th Rifles. His battalion was ordered to Portugal, where he marched under the burning sun, weighed down by his kit and great-coat, plus all the tools and leather he had to carry as the battalion's cobbler - 'the lapstone I took the liberty of flinging to the Devil'.
Rifleman Harris was a natural story-teller with a remarkable tale to unfold, and his Recollections have become one of the most popular military books of all time.
Reviews / Votes
A most vivid record of the war in Spain and Portugal against Napoleon * MAIL ON SUNDAY * Describing narrow squeaks and terrible deprivations, Harris's unflowery account of fortitude and resilience in Spain still bristles with a freshness and an invigorating spikiness * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 193 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
136 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4746-2631-6 (9781474626316)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Benjamin Randell Harris
The Recollections of Rifleman Harris
E-Book
08/2022
Weidenfeld and Nicholson
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Harris was a was born in Dorset, and was drafted into the army at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Almost certainly illiterate, he told his story to an officer in the Light Infantry, who came across Harris long after the war was over, when Harris, discharged through ill health, was working as a cobbler in Soho.
Christopher Hibbert, who edited and introduces the book, served as an officer during the war and was awarded the MC. He is the author of several acclaimed books of military history and won the Heinemann Award for Literature.
Christopher Hibbert, who edited and introduces the book, served as an officer during the war and was awarded the MC. He is the author of several acclaimed books of military history and won the Heinemann Award for Literature.