The Campaign Of 1812 In Russia [Paperback]

General Carl Von Clausewitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1995

On June 23, 1812, Napoleon's Grande Armée, over 500,000 men strong, poured over the Russian border. An equally massive Russian army faced them. The ensuing campaign was a catastrophe for Napoleon. Although the battle of Borodino, which resulted in heavy losses on both sides, allowed Napoleon to enter Moscow, his stay in that empty and decimated city was disastrous. By the time Napoleon had retreated to the Berezina river in late November, his Grande Armée was only a fifth of its original strength. His retreat had become a rout, and his allies began to desert him. In this book, Clausewitz analyzes all the significant players with sharp and enlightening characterizations, and provides perhaps the best eyewitness accounts of the battle of Borodino and the Convention of Tauroggen. The Campaign of 1812 in Russia is a brilliantly observed study of one of the major turning points of history.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About the Author

Carl von Clausewitz remains one of history’s most important military theorists, recognized primarily for his masterpiece On War. Less well-known, however, is his role as a historian, of which The Campaign of 1812 in Russia is an outstanding example. Clausewitz was appointed a lieutenant colonel by the czar, and played an important part in ensuring Napoleon’s ultimate downfall.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 22, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306806509
• ISBN-13: 978-0306806506
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,813,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent summary of Napoleon's defeat at his own hands., January 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Campaign Of 1812 In Russia (Paperback)

Although I found the book insightful and rather stimulating, there was a large lack of precise detail regarding the mindset of the Emperor himself and just why he would attempt such a foolhardy invasion. Along with the maps and depictions, it was totally enjoyable, one of the few books I have not been able to put down.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Maybe you have to really like military history -, March 21, 2006

By 

D. A. Johnson "Illini" (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Campaign Of 1812 In Russia (Paperback)

But to me, as a person seeking a first-hand account of 1812, there just really was not much to this book.

I am admittedly not a military history sort, but I just could not find the substance of the campaign that I was looking for. I kept moving forward, looking for a flicker of the larger picture. Von Clausewitz is so highly regarded, I do wonder if it is just me here.

I have another such histroy on my reading list. I just hope this military experience was an aberration.

But my disappointment and irritation led me to do the unthinkable - I threw this one onto the trash. No use having such an book taking precious shelf space.