The Napoleonic Wars: The Fall of the French Empire 1813-1815 (4) [Paperback]

Gregory Fremont-Barnes (Author)

Book Description

Series: Essential Histories | Publication Date: October 18, 2002

This volume covers Napoleon's gradual fall from power, beginning in the spring of 1813, when France prepared to face the vengeance of Russia and Prussia. quickly raising new armies composed of inexperienced conscripts and invalided veterans, and with a critical shortage of cavalry, Napoleon resolved to preserve his empire in Germany, where he initially managed to achieve some hard-fought victories. When at last Austria threw in her lot with the Allies and the epic Battle of Leipzig followed, Napoleon was forced to retreat across the Rhine, there to resist the onslaught on home soil. The pressure against him proved too great, and with Paris lost and his marshals refusing to fight on, no option remained but abdication. Yet his last battle, and one of the most decisive in military history, was still to come: Waterloo.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am most favorably impressed by the Essential Histories series on the American Civil War. Written by four of the best historians of the military course of the war, these volumes provide a lucid and concise narrative of the campaigns in both the Eastern and Western theaters as well as penetrating analyses of strategies and leadership. Ideal for classroom use or fireside reading."

From the Publisher

This unique series studies every major war in history looking at all the aspects of war, from how it felt to be a soldier to the lasting impact of the conflict on the world around it.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841764310
• ISBN-13: 978-1841764313
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,610,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3.0 out of 5 stars A mediocre conclusion to The Napoleonic Wars series, January 27, 2009

By 

C. T. Hunter "chips_books" (Gainesville, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Napoleonic Wars: The Fall of the French Empire 1813-1815 (4) (Paperback)

I couldn't help being a bit disappointed in this rather lackluster conclusion to the otherwise excellent series on the Napoleonic Wars. Chronicling what I expected to be some of the most intriguing and exciting moments of Napoleon's time in power, this volume's blandness came as a surprise to me. The author seems to perfunctorily lay out the history without providing as much in-depth analysis of the events as other Essential Histories volumes. Major occurrences such as Napoleon's marshalls refusing to fight on, the occupation of Paris, and the Emperor's escape from Elba are sort of glossed over. Also, military decisions, maneuvers, and battles are related almost exclusively from the French side of the war. Brilliant and successful tactics and strategies by the leaders of the Allies played a large role in Napoleon's downfall, but were largely ignored here. Finally, a large section towards the end of the book focuses on life in London during the war and seems grossly out of place. To my thinking, an article on life in Paris, Germany, Prussia, or Italy would have been more appropriate to the subject.

Nonetheless, this book does wrap up the excellent series. From immediately after Napoleon's withdrawal from Russia to his final defeat at Waterloo, the historic events are recorded here along with pertinent drawings and maps. If you've followed the series up to this point, don't miss this one, just temper your hopes. Not as good as the others, but adequate.