L'armée française de la fin du XVIIe siècle au ministère de Choiseul: Le soldat

This important work explores military life in France between the peace of Ryswick (1697) and the peace of Paris (1763). Throughout this period, the army, at first held in poor esteem, became one of the principle pillars of the nation. Corvisier illuminates issues around soldiers' recruitment, both within and without France, the soldiers' socioeconomic and professional positions, the geographical origins of officers, military social life, soldiers' ages, physical aptitutdes, etc. These findings are supported by rich archival sources and Corvisier's extensive bibliography.