Recollections of an Eventful Life chiefly passed in the army. By a soldier

Glasgow: W R M'Phun, 1825 second edition. xii and 222 pages. Modern boards. (For other books about the Napoleonic Wars please search my stock using the keyword napoleonic.)

This is the first of Sergeant Donaldson's three autobiographical volumes which he began writing to finance his university studies when he was head clerk of the Glasgow Military District and determined to become a surgeon. Recollections, which ends at the battle of Sabugal, was first published in 1821. This second edition was a reissue to accompany his second volume (not included here) The War in the Peninsula. A third volume on his peace service in Ireland came out in 1828. Donaldson attained his degree but failed to make a success of life as a surgeon in Oban and went to Paris to resume his studies. He died in 1830 leaving a widow and three surviving children for whose support a combined version of the three books was published by his friends. This portmanteau volume was also titled Recollections of an Eventful Life. It was kept in print for many years.