Serving Napoleon’s European Dream. Military conscription and the disruption of the rural community of Weert

An intimate account of the rural community of Weert (Southern Netherlands) in the age of Napoleon. This small-scale society was disrupted by the introduction of military conscription. In the end, 12% of its male population served in Napoleon's army. Half of them never returned… In lively portraits both conscripts and their relatives come to life, and also the mayor and other officials who organized the conscription at grass roots level. But this is not only a story of soldiers and authorities. Every aspect of society is treated: economy, migration, education, religion, music, relationships, sex, and so on. And every subject is treated in incredible detail, thanks to meticulous research in archives. In the end, the reader is intimately acquainted with the people of Weert in the age of Napoleon. He knows how they worked, prayed and danced. He knows their hopes, fears and loves.
 
(original Dutch edition: In dienst voor Napoleons Europese droom. De verstoring van de plattelandssamenleving in Weert)