Customer Reviews

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

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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.