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Frederick W. Kagan

The End of the Old Order: Napoleon and Europe, 1801-1805 Paperback – July 10, 2007

by Frederick Kagan (Author)

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In this monumental account and brilliant new analysis of the Napoleonic era in Europe, Frederick W. Kagan, distinguished historian and military policy expert, reveals the complex interaction of continental politics and war that dominated Europe in the early nineteenth century. Using hitherto untapped archival materials from Austria, Prussia, France, and Russia, Kagan tells the story of Napoleon and Europe that is vastly different from previous histories. He presents these crucial years from the perspective of all the major players of Europe, as well as countless others. With clear and lively prose, Kagan deftly guides the reader through the intriguing and complex web of international politics and war. The End of the Old Order is the first in a new and comprehensive series of studies of Napoleon and Europe.

Print length

808 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Da Capo Press
Publication date

July 10, 2007
Dimensions

5.7 x 1.82 x 8.7 inches
ISBN-10

0306815451
ISBN-13

978-0306815454
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Editorial Reviews

Review

International History Review, March 2009
“Kagan offers the reader a detailed narrative that successfully combines domestic and foreign policies with war…Often original and perceptive.”

About the Author

Frederick W. Kagan is a Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the author of The Military Reforms of Nicholas I, and a co-author with Donald Kagan of While America Sleeps.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press (July 10, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 808 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0306815451
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306815454
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.45 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 1.82 x 8.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,980,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,138 in Napoleonic War History (Books)
- #7,696 in French History (Books)
- #104,696 in World History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
19 ratings

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Nicholas Roberts

Not for the light of heart

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013

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Kagan's description of the 1805 campaign in Europe was excellent. If you are a newcomer looking to explore Napoleon however I may not suggest this book. This book goes into intricate detail about the political and military patterns of this war. You actually get through almost a third of the 600 pages before the war even begins! All the to-ings and fro-ings of the political leaders are covered through the entire beginning of the book.

When you get to the real military stuff a good chunk is devoted to describing Napoleon's war plans and assumptions as well as the Russian and Austrian high command's war plans. A lot of attention is focused on Mack and Archduke Charles and their assumptions and feelings about the war. He covers the strategic and tactical orders of the campaign in great detail. The story is often told through individual regiments rather than whole corps. Before Austerlitz there is a long chapter regarding the Austrian plan for 'victory' as well as Napoleon's plans. When the battle occurs the detail is the same. Other fronts such as Massena and Charles in Italy are covered various chapters.

In summary, if you are looking for a good detailed account of the 1805 campaign this is for you. If you are looking for an into you might need something less 'meaty.' Another quick comment, this story is not written through experience of soldiers. It is mainly written through movement of troops and political negotiations.

6 people found this helpful

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patrick john gretzinger

This is NOT Napoleonic hagiography

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2018

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This is NOT Napoleonic hagiography. If you are interested in a history of the Austerlitz campaign from the perspective of the allied forces as much as that of Napoleon, then I recommend this book. My personal interest in the Napoleonic Wars is on the forces opposing Napoleon. Most books on the Napoleonic Wars focus on Napoleon, and those that don't tend to focus on the British. Kagan treats Russia, Austria, and Prussia fairly. Their faults and mistakes are genuinely examined, and their failures are not simply attributed to Napoleon's 'genius.' "The End of the Old Order" is dense (in the best possible way) and I would not recommend it to someone unfamiliar with the War of the Third Coalition. But if your are a serious student who wants as much information as possible, I think you will be satisfied. It balances the diplomatic and military history evenly, and the analysis of the battles, in many instances, takes place at the battalion level.

One person found this helpful

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AdamRLopez

Serious book for serious reader

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2019

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Best non fiction I’ve ever read

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coldwarm

Diplomacy and War like Chess

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2006

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In this volume(and the 3 that will follow) Kagan sets out to write a military/diplomatic history of the Napoleonic period.The first 200 pages give an overview of how the war of the First Coalition came about. Then there are some 100 pages devoted to the french and allied war plans and the rest of the book covers the war itself.This is a work of explanation and interpretation and the focus is on the diplomats and generals who made the important decisions.There is no spotlight on the idiosyncracies of individuals perse ,but only if it is important to explain some decision taken by that person. Likewise the descriptions of battles are explanatory. There is no blood and guts. All in all it is a bit like a game of chess and the best explanatory book i have read about Napoleonic Europe. The author, in contrast to most other books about this time, devotes an equal amount of space to the French and the Allies and is evenhanded in the condemnation or praise he bestows on the belligerents.It is simply not true as an other reviewer has it that this is the old Napoleon as Ogre story all over again.Knowing the author's very rightleaning political views i indeed started reading this book with some trepidation, but was pleasantly suprised that Kagan did'nt let those views cloud his judgement.Repeatedly Kagan stresses that it was'nt Napoleon who wanted this war but Tsar Alexander. Of course you can take exception with the author's interpretation of motives and events but that applies to every thesis. At least Kagan does't parrot every other author and his analysis is based on thorough archival investigation. This is not a book for the novice but if you want to know the ins and outs of Napoleonic Europe, have an analytical bend and value clear and uncluttered prose this is the book for you. Highly recommended. Hats of for Frederick Kagan and counting down to the next volume.

21 people found this helpful

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1.

An interesting thesis

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2006

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According to Frederick Kagan it was the mistakes made by European nations and not Napoleon's brilliance that lead to France dominating Europe in the first decade of the nineteenth century. First according to Kagan distrust among Britain, Prussia, Austria, and Russia made them form an alliance too late, and in Prussia's case to opt out until the very last moment. Kagan is especially critical of Tsar Alexander I for alienating potential allies by his overly idealistic version of postwar Europe in which both Prussia and Austria would have diminished power in exchange for greater influence of the smaller states in Central Europe. Kagan is also critical of the Austrian leadership for putting too many soldiers in Italy instead of Germany and at General Mack for not retreating from his overextended forces from Ulm. Also Archduke Charles failed to move sufficient forces from Italy to help Mack in Germany. Kagan is especially harsh on Tsar Alexander I for overextending his forces in Italy, around Prussia, and the Balkans, while failing to concentrate them in southern Germany in order to cooperate better with the Austrians. Finally Tsar Alexander I ordered Kutuzov to on the offensive prematurely before the disasterous Austro-Russian defeat at Austerlitz. Although I strongly disagree with Frederick Kagan's personal politics, he does write excellent military history.

23 people found this helpful

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SEURIN

Eclairant, révélateur, passionnant.

Reviewed in France on September 4, 2017

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Un ouvrage qui s'atttache à décortiquer les stratégies des Etats en prenant en compte leurs complexités et leurs diversités selon les moments, les acteurs, le long et le court terme. Ainsi, le début du livre évoque "les coulisses" de la guerre de la troisième coalition. L'effort de véracité se base sur de nombreuses sources directes et indirectes et une analyse dépassionnée, sans partie pris. Il ne faut donc pas s'étonner de trouver un Napoléon sous les traits certes d'un génie militaire mais qui a également des instants de doute, d'érrements voire d'erreurs. Surtout, on englobe ici l'ensemble des acteurs, des souverains aux diplomates, des militaires aux services de renseignements. Une vision globalisée qui permet de saisir cette guerre dans ses multiples causes (pas du tout écrites d'avance ni évidentes), son déroulement et ses conséquences.

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M J Caygill

thanks

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2014

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Great, thanks