ePub 1805: Austerlitz: Napoleon And The Destruction Of The Third Coalition by Robert Goetz; Robert P. Goetz in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Can't see the forest for the treesBy Jeffrey HuntingtonThis is an immensely detailed unit-by-unit attempt to reconstruct what must actually have happened at Austerlitz. I imagine that this would appeal very much to war gamers and tacticians; but at the level of strategy; it is as confusing as the proverbial fog of war itself. An editor could help. Who is this Colonel Castex who is killed on p.183 and then killed again on p.187? So much inscrutable detail obscures the significance of the maneuvers. There are many maps; but the text refers to units and landmarks not shown on the map for that passage; leaving the reader pretty much in the dark. And I am suspicious of these maps--some show three times as many French units in the field as Russian and Austrian units; though in fact the French were less numerous. The map on p.98 shows Austerlitz as being about 40km from Vienna; whereas in fact; it is hundreds of km distant. I think this book would have to be combined with other reference materials to come up with a coherent picture.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Austerlitz explained; finally and correctlyBy Diefenbaker the dogYou know; I really enjoyed and appreciated this book. Simply put; it seems to me to be the first book to sort out Austerlitz fact from the fiction. It is amazing that there is so much that is not known about this truly great battle of history. (And it is also amazing what difference a decade makes; for by 1815 everybody was writing ... about Waterloo; the single most written about event in world history to that time.)There are sources which I have long enjoyed; like Duffy's work; that simply get things wrong. Goetz did prodigious research and has put every officer and unit in the right place at the right time. FINALLY! It is nice to know how the battle on the Pratzen really happened and just who was there.OK; the book is not a social history and doesn't have the drama of a more personalized account. Actually; given the dearth of source material on this battle; the author can't be faulted. But make no mistake; it is not poorly written; indeed; it is easy to read and the prose is crisp and well-written. Second; the book does focus on the Coalition; and in my opinion this is a good thing. There is more than enough French hero worship material out there if you want it.So; this said; the perfect Austerlitz book has yet to be written; but when it is; it will owe a debt of thanks to Goetz's hard work and fine book.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A failed source for the Grande ArmeeBy Webster the History HoundThis book is not a good source for the Grande Armee and Napoleon. Way too many misstatements of fact to be considered useful. And besides; his prose style not engaging.