Customer Reviews

Waterloo: The Hundred Days (Battles and Histories)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I must admit I enjoyed reading this book when I first obtained it, but upon revisiting it my opinion has somewhat waned. The reason being is that I have since read Peter Hofschroer's work which was an excellent example of painstaking research and detail. Chandler's work now seems lightweight.

Chandler's book is good if you are looking for an overview of the events leading up Waterloo, Napoleonic tactics and strategy and the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo. The book makes lavish use of maps and prints which are very clear and a delight to the eye , but unfortunately it falls short in providing a very accurate and detailed account of the battles.

This is certainly a good buy if all you are seeking is an overview, but if you are familiar with the Battle of Waterloo you maybe looking for something more substantial. ( This review refers to a hard cover 1981 edition )

While many tout this book as "lightweight" or "lacking" I find it to be superb. A book is not always meant to be an exhaustive comprehensive massive tome. David G Chandler has proven he can do that in his "The Campaigns of Napoleon" work. His piece about Waterloo is a wonderful quick overview of the 100 days campaign with indeed a focus on the British. Unlike Chandler's famous "The Campaigns of Napoleon", this book expresses Chandler's opinions about what was important about Waterloo and its long term effects, which in essence is his summation of the long term effects of the Napoleonic Era since Waterloo marked the end of it. Where as in his larger works Chandler has no time to express himself, in this short overview of Waterloo he does, making the book very engaging. His opinion about the importance of Lingy and Quatre Bras, deserves special note. Not a "must" have, but definatly a success in what it was intended to do.

This is a great book for the novice historian since it explains the battle with maps and explanations of all three sides (British, French, and Prussian). Not only is the battle explained, but brief biographies of all the major players in this drama are also included. One can get an idea of why this battle was waged the way it was because of all these descriptions. Chandler is very fair to all sides in this battle as he describes the conduct of the campaign. One of the previous reviewers attributes him being British as taking the British perspective, but I don't believe this to be true. Chandler describes the battle from all perspectives.
This is a great introductory book of the battle. It is a summary, but not an in depth story of the battle. The pictures, maps, short biographies, make this a very good read of the Waterloo battle.

I rate this book highly because it does its job, which is an introduction and background to the Battle of Waterloo for people who are new to this part of history and might want a good general background and understanding without going too deeply into the area. Very easy to read with lots of pictures. Don't expect a big heavy tome though, it really is a beginner's guide and a good one too. A very good starting point and easily digested. The only criticism I had was that the illustrations don't include the date, so a picture in the book is often not contemporary at all but painted decades after the Battle. There are many contemporary illustrations but many aren't and it is impossible to tell as dates aren't given. Since often contemporary pictures and illustrations tell us much, I found it bad historical practice that dates weren't given. However, a good starting point for the novice researcher.

Once again David G. Chandler, one of the most prolific Napoleonic authors, has provided us with an excellent book. Although published in 1980, the recent republishing by Osprey has given people the opportunity to purchase it rather take it out of the library. I first read this book about six years ago when I took it out and this was the first major work I had read on Waterloo. Since then I have purchased a copy and reread it. I find this to be an invaluable resource on the Battle of Waterloo and provides the layman with an easily readable account of the battle. I have also read Hofschroer's new series on the battle and although I believe he has provided us with an interesting look at a overlooked subject--German involvement in the battle--it is still just that. Chandler's in my mind remains the ultimate guide to the battle. Call it what you may, Chandler writes a book from the victor's perspective, mainly the British perspective of the battle. Chandler after all is British and has every right to portray the British as the victors, they WON the battle for the Allies.

What makes this book worthwhile is the author himself. Having written "Campaigns of Napolean" some years before that lengthy study was not able to devote much time to the Waterloo Campaign. This is not a detailed study insofar as tactics and doctrine are concerned, but some insightful comments are made about the leadership of both sides. The campaign and events leading up to it are also provided.

Chandler stresses that Napolean may have had different reasons for choosing the French Commanders. True there were not as many of the old Marshalette around in 1815. Some wanted no more campaigning. Davout and Soult were probably ill-used in the posts they were given. They would have served far better as battlefield or army wing commanders. Chandler makes the argument that Napolean didn't want to share the glory of the campaign with anyone. After abdication a year before, he needed a clear success to show the European Monarchs he was back in power again. Ney and Grouchy were calculated risks in order to win a solo victory. Against Wellington and Blucher he should have known better, but Napolean's ego had got the better of him and he underestimated their abilities.

Chandler does not put much faith in the argument that Bonny was ill that day. He believes he was a victim of his own arrogant genius. There were also a number of chance events that occurred which further hurt his cause. Chandler does not have too much to say about Wellington. Like many he criticizes his retention of forces at Hal, but on the other hand the Duke was not sure that Napolean would opt for a simple pounding match. The great emperor had been known for maneauver, and Wellington had to take this into possibility. Napolean comes in for criticism by not controlling the battle better, and by ignoring the advice of some French marshals who had experience against the British.

Probably the main strength of this book is the detailed touring of the battlefields which Chandler provides. Even if a bit dated much of it should still be there for historical tourist. With 2015 events on the horizon that could make it an additional plus.

An incredible book for anyone who has an interest in European, Napoleonic or military history. Author David Chandler gives a clear and very interesting account of the "Hundred Days" spanning from Napoleon's return from Elba to his 2nd abdication and exile to St Helena. The book is appropriately focused on the Waterloo campaign, Napoleon's bold (and almost successful) attempt to drive a wedge between the English and Prussian armies and destroy them piecemeal. The battles of Quatre-Bras, Ligny, Wavre and Waterloo are described in a straight-forward and exciting manner. The multituded of maps and diagrams also ensure that the reader is fully cognizant of the importance of each battefield manuever. Chandler avoids the pitfalls of many military writers by giving enough details of units and movements for a clear understanding of the battle while keeping the overall pace of the narrative to interest even the non-military reader. I can't recommend this book enough.

Before Hofschroer wrote his 2 books, this book of Chandler's would almost be OK, but after Hofschroer's "Waterloo", is now impossible to read. Chandler - His Majesty Productivity - as the most prolific of Napoleonic writers, offers us a typically one-sided approach to this battle. And I am - quite honestly - tired of the pro-British portrayals of historical facts. It is NOT OK, and is NOT FAIR!

How can anyone supposedly study a subject for so long and make so many errors? Chandler's WATERLOO contains so many factual campaign/battle and army organizational errors that a 1,000 word review cannot begin to get into the description of all the mistakes. As a result, the book is of extremely questionable value.

I agree with the reader, Chandler is fertile like a rabbit. He wrote about : angels(!), Pol Pot(!),jeeps(!),chess, Napoleonic wars(?), and farming(! ).

The other books are interesting, but for this one, "Waterloo", I selected "1" star because I did not have the option of "0"