Synopses & Reviews
Napoleon dominated nearly all of Europe by 1810, largely succeeding in his aim to reign over the civilized world. But Britain eluded him. To conquer the island nation, he needed Russia's Tsar Alexander's help. The Tsar refused, and Napoleon vowed to teach him a lesson by intimidation and force. The ensuing invasion of Russia, during the frigid winter of 1812, would mark the beginning of the end of Napoleon's empire. Although his army captured Moscow after a brutal march deep into hostile territory, it was a hollow victory for the demoralized troops. Napoleon's men were eventually turned back, and their defeat was a momentous turning point in world affairs. Dramatic, insightful, and enormously absorbing, Moscow 1812 is a masterful work of history.
Review
“Told with vigor, sweep, and insight, Moscow 1812 brings this epic moment to life in a thoroughly fascinating way.” Jay Winik, author of April 1865
Review
“Zamoyski elegantly delivers gripping storytelling, bold revisionism, and poignant suffering.” Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Evening Standard
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“Hundreds of books have been written about Napoleons invasion of Russia. Moscow 1812 is perhaps the best.” John Lukacs, author of Five Days in London
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“Adam Zamoyskis account of the 1812 campaign is so brilliant that it is impossible to put the book aside.” Michael Burleigh, The Sunday Times
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“A harrowing account. ... Utterly admirable. It combines clarity of thought and prose with a strong narrative drive.” Antony Beevor, The Daily Telegraph
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“Powerful. . . . Brilliant. Zamoyskis exposition of the 1812 campaign is a model of elegant clarity.” T.J. Binyon, The Sunday Telegraph
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“A brilliant, chilling account.” Ed Vulliamy, The Observer
Synopsis
By 1810, Napoleon ruled nearly all of Europe, succeeding in his aim to conquer more and more people and to reign over the civilized world like a modern-day Charlemagne. Part of his bid for complete domination involved destroying Britain, but the plan stymied when Russi'a Tsar Alexander refused to comply. So Napoleon set out to teach the Tsar a lesson by intimidation and force. What followed was an epic battle that would change the course of history. By invading Rusia in the firgid winter of1812, Napoleon was sucked further and further into the one territory he could not conquer, pulling him inexorably toward his own doom. Trudging through a brutal climate in hostile lands, his men marched on until they ultimately captured Moscow. But it was an empty victory that left his troops demoralized and his own vision impaired-there was nowhere left to go. It also galvanized the Russians into a patriotic surge, as they punised what was left of Napoleon's army. This turned out to be a mom
Synopsis
By 1810, Napoleon Bonaparte ruled nearly all of Europe. But he wanted more. He plotted to destroy Britain with a continental blockade, but the plan was stymied when Russia's Tsar Alexander refused to comply. Napoleon retaliated with an invasion of Russia; what followed was an epic battle that would change the course of history.
Napoleon's invasion of Russia and his ensuing retreat from Moscow was both a turning point in military history, and a human tragedy on a colossal scale. In this gripping, authoritative account of history's first example of total war, Adam Zamoyski paints a vivid picture of the experiences of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict, creating an unforgettable work.
Adam Zamoyski was born in New York and educated at Oxford. He is the author of Holy Madness: Romantics, Patriots, and Revolutionaries 1776-1871. He lives in London.
"Zamoyski elegantly delivers gripping storytelling, bold revisionism, and poignant suffering." -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Evening Standard
--Jay Winik, author of April 1865
About the Author
Adam Zamoyski was born in New York and educated at Oxford. He is the author of Moscow 1812. He lives in London.