The capitulation of Napoleon and his army at Sedan in September 1870 shook Paris to its foundations. The Second Empire was swept from power, and a Government of National Defence hastily put in its place. To replace the weakened professional army the French called for a 'war of the people'. A companion volume to Men-at-Arms 233: The French Army 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War (1) Imperial Troops, this book covers the forces that participated in the second half of the campaign, including the regular army, l' Armeé d' Afrique, la Garde Mobile, la Garde Nationale and the naval forces. The text is accompanied by contemporary photographs and detailed colour plates.

Stephen Shann specializes in the Franco-Prussian War. In addition to this book, he also authored Men-at-Arms 233: French Army 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War (1) Imperial Troops. Born in 1954, Louis Delperier has a doctorate in History and a French Army reserve commission. He is the author of many French books and articles on the history of uniform, and was the military consultant for the Franco-Prussian War film Champ d'Honneur, shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 1987.
Richard Hook was trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment, he became art editor of Finding Out magazine during the 1960s. He has worked as a freelance illustrator ever since, earning an international reputation, and has illustrated more than 50 Osprey titles. He is based in Sussex, UK. Christa Hook began her illustrating career in 1986. Her work has featured extensively in the worlds of publishing and television, and she has established herself as one of Osprey's most popular illustrators. Her illustrations combine the historian's attention to detail with the artist's sense of drama and atmosphere, and they are sought after by collectors worldwide.