The Great Invasion of 1813-14; or, After Leipzig Being a story of the entry of the allied forces into Alsace and Lorraine, and their march upon Paris after the Battle of Leipzig, called the Battle of the Kings and Nations

"The Great Invasion of 1813-14; or, After Leipzig" by Erckmann-Chatrian, tells of a community shaken by war. The story follows Jean-Claude Hullin, a shoemaker, and his daughter, Louise when the Allied forces invade Alsace and Lorraine after the Battle of Leipzig. The narrative unfolds in the calm village of Charmes, where Hullin recalls his military past as he awaits news of Louise’s fiancé, Gaspard while the shadow of war grows heavier. They prepare for a harsh winter and encounter unusual characters like Yégof, a man who declares himself king and foreshadows the forces endangering their peace. The story paints a picture of a close-knit community facing the arrival of war, blending local life with the larger historical events.