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Jennifer N. Heuer, professor of history, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Society for French Historical Studies’ David H. Pinkney Prize for her book “The Soldier’s Reward: Love and War in the Age of the French Revolution and Napoleon.” The prize recognizes the most distinguished book about French history by a North American scholar, in honor of the contributions of David H. Pinkney to the development of French historical studies in the U.S.

In “The Soldier’s Reward,” published by Princeton University Press, Heuer examines the impact of prolonged warfare on the family and intimate relations during the revolutionary era. The book brings together a rich collection of military history sources, including troop records, soldiers’ memoirs and debates about conscription, with cultural history sources, such as music, art, plays and festivals. The experiences and strategies of individual families are further illustrated in family letters and journals, police reports, and court records. Heuer details how soldiers were promised many things, including financial rewards, patriotic honor and a happy family life once their military service was completed.

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The book elucidates what prolonged warfare meant to soldiers and their families. This includes debates surrounding whether soldiers should marry and efforts to encourage marriage following demobilization, such as state-sponsored marriage rituals under Napoleon. The book also tackles the question of female military service and the extent to which women were recognized as veterans.

Heuer previously authored “The Family and the Nation: Gender and Citizenship in Revolutionary France” (Cornell University Press), and with Mette Harder, co-edited “Life in Revolutionary France” (Bloomsbury). She has also written a variety of articles and book chapters in both French and English-language publications and is currently co-editor of the journal French Historical Studies.

For more information on “The Soldier’s Reward,” or to purchase the book, visit the Princeton University Press website.