A review by msgtdameron
Russia Against Napoleon: The True Story of the Campaigns of War and Peace by Dominic Lieven
4.0
Great read that shows the Napoleonic Campaigns from 1812 through 1814 with a non Anglo slant.
Most histories of the Napoleonic era, at least in America are written from the point of view of the English or the French. Napoleon, Wellington and Nelson are the leading characters and it is Waterloo and Trafalgar that are the decisive battles. When seen through the eyes of the rest of Europe the Napoleonic Era is a LOT more complicated. The English sit out a lot, Austo-Hungarian Empire and Prussia get run over a lot, and Russia is the big hero. This book is written from the Russian perspective. It draws on Russian sources, both official and personnel, and adds a lot to ones understanding of what actually happened.
For instance, Napoleons invasion of Russia. Most people think that a week Russia retreated because that was their only option. A fallacy that Tolstoy's War and Peace draws on for it's action, plot and motivation. The facts are that Alexander planned the retreat to Moscow, that the Russians started the flank attacks on Napoleon's supplies well before he entered Moscow, and the only non planed action of the first part of the invasion was the burning of Moscow. Also that it was Alexander as Tsar of the Russia's that led the coalition against Napoleon from 1812 on. one interesting thought: If Wellington had been defeated at Waterloo Napoleon would still have had to face Barclay De Tolly as CC of the coalition forces that were already across the Rhine on Frances boarders when Napoleon was defeated. The Math for Napoleon would have been daunting, approximately 100, 000 French against 160,000 Russians and Austro-Hungarians and 40,00 British and Prussians as a reserve. Also De Tolly was not as indecisive as Shwatzkoph had been in 1814. The history would not have been written by the British and Russia would have been given her due. Just a thought. And this is a great read.
Most histories of the Napoleonic era, at least in America are written from the point of view of the English or the French. Napoleon, Wellington and Nelson are the leading characters and it is Waterloo and Trafalgar that are the decisive battles. When seen through the eyes of the rest of Europe the Napoleonic Era is a LOT more complicated. The English sit out a lot, Austo-Hungarian Empire and Prussia get run over a lot, and Russia is the big hero. This book is written from the Russian perspective. It draws on Russian sources, both official and personnel, and adds a lot to ones understanding of what actually happened.
For instance, Napoleons invasion of Russia. Most people think that a week Russia retreated because that was their only option. A fallacy that Tolstoy's War and Peace draws on for it's action, plot and motivation. The facts are that Alexander planned the retreat to Moscow, that the Russians started the flank attacks on Napoleon's supplies well before he entered Moscow, and the only non planed action of the first part of the invasion was the burning of Moscow. Also that it was Alexander as Tsar of the Russia's that led the coalition against Napoleon from 1812 on. one interesting thought: If Wellington had been defeated at Waterloo Napoleon would still have had to face Barclay De Tolly as CC of the coalition forces that were already across the Rhine on Frances boarders when Napoleon was defeated. The Math for Napoleon would have been daunting, approximately 100, 000 French against 160,000 Russians and Austro-Hungarians and 40,00 British and Prussians as a reserve. Also De Tolly was not as indecisive as Shwatzkoph had been in 1814. The history would not have been written by the British and Russia would have been given her due. Just a thought. And this is a great read.