Synopses & Reviews
A magisterial account of the wars that engulfed Europe during the rise and fall of Napoleon.
No military figure in history has been quite as polarizing as Napoleon Bonaparte. Was he a monster, driven by an endless, ruinous quest for military glory? Or a social and political visionary brought down by petty, reactionary kings of Europe? In the definitive account to date, respected historian Charles Esdaile argues that the chief motivating factor for Napoleon was his insatiable desire for fame. More than a myth-busting portrait of Napoleon, however, this volume offers a panoramic view of the armed conflicts that spread so quickly out of revolutionary France to countries as remote as Sweden and Egypt. Napoleonas Wars seeks to answer the question, What was it that made the countries of Europe fight one another for so long and with such devastating results? Esdaile portrays the European battles as the consequence of rulers who were willing to take the immense risks of either fighting or supporting Napoleonarisks that resulted in the extinction of entire countries. This is history writing equal to its subjectagrand and ambitiousathat will join Vikingas impressive backlist of European history titles, such as Tim Blanningas The Pursuit of Glory and Diarmaid MacCullochas The Reformation,
Review
"[A] masterly account of the Napoleonic wars . . . Makes the familiar story fresh."
-The Economist
"A joy to read . . . Attractive, well written and, on occasion, pleasantly idiosyncratic . . . A splendid book."
-Literary Review
"Deft, authoritative, often strikingly counterintuitive, this is the definitive word on the subject."
-Telegraph (UK), Books of the Year
Synopsis
Noted historian Esdaile argues that the chief motivating factor for Napoleon was his insatiable desire for fame. More than a mythbusting portrait of Napoleon, however, this volume offers a panoramic view of the armed conflicts that spread so quickly out of revolutionary France.
Synopsis
A glorious?and conclusive?chronicle of the wars waged by one of the most polarizing figures in military historyAcclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic as a new standard on the subject, this sweeping, boldly written history of the Napoleonic era reveals its central protagonist as a man driven by an insatiable desire for fame, and determined ?to push matters to extremes.? More than a myth-busting portrait of Napoleon, however, it offers a panoramic view of the armed conflicts that spread so quickly out of revolutionary France to countries as remote as Sweden and Egypt. As it expertly moves through conflicts from Russia to Spain, Napoleon?s Wars proves to be history writing equal to its subject?grand and ambitious?that will reframe the way this tumultuous era is understood.
Synopsis
Accounts from the front lines of the Napoleonic Wars from Britains greatest military commander The Duke of Wellington was not only an incomparable commander in battle but also a remarkably powerful writer. His dispatches have long been viewed as classics of military literature and have influenced all military accounts after his. This new selection follows the epic campaign of the British against Napoleon in Wellingtons own words, telling the story of the conflict from its desperate beginnings in Portugal to the final triumph at Waterloo.
About the Author
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (17691852), fought in some fifty encounters across India and Europe, with almost all battles ending in victory. He was twice British prime minister.
Charles Esdaile is a professor of history at the University of Liverpool.