PDF British Napoleonic Artillery 1793–1815 (2): Siege and Coastal Artillery (New Vanguard) by Chris Henry in History

Description

There are many books about Napoleon; and some of them attempt to analyse his particular brand of military genius. Almost all these books owe a tremendous debt to Colonel Count Yorck von Wartenburg. His book was published at the end of the nineteenth Century and is still as important today; indeed; Dr David Chandler acknowledges that he used the book as one of the primary works when researching his momentous history of Napoleon.After a brief look at Napoleon's youth and early career Wartenburg sets out Napoleon's military exploits chronologically; beginning with the campaign in Italy; and the battles for Mantua. The first volume then describes the campaigns in Egypt and Syria before giving an account of the first of Napoleon's great battles: Marengo. Ulm; Austerlitz; Jena; Eylau and Friedland complete Volume I.Volume II covers Spain; Ratisbon; Wagram and the ill-fated invasion of Russia. After Moscow and the Beresina crossing came the armistice; and then Dresden and Leipzig. The book ends with the exile of Napoleon for the last time after his defeat at Waterloo.The writing is always clear and uncomplicated; suiting a description of twenty years in Europe which threw the political map into confusion; and had as legacy the mistrust between France and the remainder of the continent; and the growth of Prussian military might and British complacency in military matters.