NAPOLEONIC WARS: The Compact Guide

Napoleon was a charismatic and astute military leader who built an empire in a series of astounding campaigns from 1796 to 1812 in which he won many of the most famous battles of all time. He had transformed France's administrative, educational and legal systems, and most of the continent of Europe was under his control, from Portugal to Moscow. This vivid book written by one of Britain's leading historians provides an essential overview of Napoleon's career, beginning in revolutionary France with a brilliant young Lieutenant who still styled himself Napoleone di Buonaparte. Holmes examines every facet of Napoleon's military career - his astonishing victories at the Battle of the Pyramids, Marengo, Jena and Austerlitz, through to defeat and exile under the immense weight of the great powers who were determined to stop the man who would be emperor of Europe. Following his escape from Elba and return to power in March 1815, and culminating in the Battle of Waterloo in June, we can relive an extraordinary period of history through this superbly crafted history. Chapter headings include Artillery, The Italian Campaign, Egypt and Syria, Brumaire and Marengo, Grande Armée, Berlin to Tilsit, Cavalry, The Spanish Ulcer 1809-11 and The Imperial Court among them. 135pp, illustrated paperback.