Exploits of Brigadier Gerard

These comic shorts were written between 1884-1885 and are set during the Napolenonic wars, 1807-1814. They first appeared as episodes in the famous Strand magazine.

Our hero, Etienne Gerard, is a Hussar in the French army. His vanity is all encompassing; he is utterly convinced that he is the bravest soldier, most masterful swordsman and horseman throughout the whole of France, not to mention being a much in demand and gallant lover! Conan Doyle’s humour is satirical, artful and instrinsic, and makes for an entertaining listen.

In making his hero so vain, and an often unware Frenchman at that, Conan Doyle successfully satirises both the stereotypical English view of the French; and then by turning and presenting it all from Gerard’s baffled point of view - he lightly reveals the equal absurdity of many English attitudes.

This balance of manners is funny, playful, and much pointed by an expressive audio telling.