General Thiebault was always destined for a career in the military: his father was a professor in the military school in Berlin and a friend of Frederick the Great. Having started as a volunteer in the Revolutionary army, he started to acquire a reputation for his knowledge of military matters and staff work. He was then attached to Army of Italy in 1797, being distinguished for his personal bravery and keen wit, afterward serving under Massena during the siege of Genoa (1800). His brigade played a pivotal role during the battle of Austerlitz in 1805, bringing significant attention to its commander, as did his work on an instruction book on the function of the army staff. Thiebault felt his service merited high office and was disappointed by the advancement of generals of less talent and his posting to the graveyard of the Peninsular, where he served with as much credit as any commander. His memoirs are invaluable for his critical, often biting assessment of his contemporaries and also for his expert commentary on the military matters. His first volume concentrates on his youthful experiences and his service up to the time of the Army of Italy

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