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Campaigns and Commanders #41
Blücher: Scourge of Napoleon
One of the most colorful characters in the Napoleonic pantheon, Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (1742–1819) is best known as the Prussian general who, along with the Duke of Wellington, defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Throughout his long career, Blücher distinguished himself as a bold commander, but his actions at times appeared erratic and reckless. This magnificent biography by Michael V. Leggiere, an award-winning historian of the Napoleonic Wars, is the first scholarly book in English to explore Blücher’s life and military career—and his impact on Napoleon.
Drawing on exhaustive research in European archives, Leggiere eschews the melodrama of earlier biographies and offers instead a richly nuanced portrait of a talented leader who, contrary to popular perception, had a strong grasp of military strategy. Nicknamed “Marshal Forward” by his soldiers, he in fact retreated more often than he attacked. Focusing on the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815, Leggiere evaluates the full effects of Blücher’s operations on his archenemy.
In addition to providing military analysis, Leggiere draws extensively from Blücher’s own writings to reveal the man behind the legend. Though tough as nails on the outside, Blücher was a loving family man who deplored the casualties of war. This meticulously written biography, enhanced by detailed maps and other illustrations, fills a large gap in our understanding of a complex man who, for all his flaws and eccentricities, is justly credited with releasing Europe from the yoke of Napoleon’s tyranny.
Drawing on exhaustive research in European archives, Leggiere eschews the melodrama of earlier biographies and offers instead a richly nuanced portrait of a talented leader who, contrary to popular perception, had a strong grasp of military strategy. Nicknamed “Marshal Forward” by his soldiers, he in fact retreated more often than he attacked. Focusing on the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815, Leggiere evaluates the full effects of Blücher’s operations on his archenemy.
In addition to providing military analysis, Leggiere draws extensively from Blücher’s own writings to reveal the man behind the legend. Though tough as nails on the outside, Blücher was a loving family man who deplored the casualties of war. This meticulously written biography, enhanced by detailed maps and other illustrations, fills a large gap in our understanding of a complex man who, for all his flaws and eccentricities, is justly credited with releasing Europe from the yoke of Napoleon’s tyranny.
569 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2014
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About the author
Michael V. Leggiere
8 books12 followersMichael V. Leggiere is a professor of history who works at the University of North Texas as deputy-director for the Barsanti Center for Military History.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 6, 2022
Rounded up from 3.5 stars. Blucher was known as 'Marshal Forward' because he almost always pushed 'his children' to advance rather than retreat, except in 1813. This, Leggiere remarked on as being quite unusual. In some ways all of Blucher's life was unusual in that he spent over a decade as a farmer, and yet became a Field Marshal famous for his part at Waterloo.
In some ways he was his own worst enemy with his impetuosity, but fortunately had the advice of men like Scharnhorst and Gneisnau when he needed it. He wasn't afraid of losing a battle because he would have another chance to take on Napoleon or one of his generals. Considering his less than stellar showing at Auerstadt, he was fortunate to have that chance.
I admit to being slightly disappointed with Blucher because he complained continually, at least up to a point. I suppose that was the lot of a monarch at the time--to listen to the discontent of his officers, but on the printed page it became 'old' fast. It's a good book, but it could use more maps. I did feel sorry for Blucher when his son was injured so badly. It showed a side of him, you didn't see on the battlefield.
In some ways he was his own worst enemy with his impetuosity, but fortunately had the advice of men like Scharnhorst and Gneisnau when he needed it. He wasn't afraid of losing a battle because he would have another chance to take on Napoleon or one of his generals. Considering his less than stellar showing at Auerstadt, he was fortunate to have that chance.
I admit to being slightly disappointed with Blucher because he complained continually, at least up to a point. I suppose that was the lot of a monarch at the time--to listen to the discontent of his officers, but on the printed page it became 'old' fast. It's a good book, but it could use more maps. I did feel sorry for Blucher when his son was injured so badly. It showed a side of him, you didn't see on the battlefield.
October 10, 2014
Field Marshall Gebhard von Blucher was a central military figure in the 1813-15 wars against Napoleon, and Professor Leggiere has produced a fine military biography to help acquaint English speakers to this famous figure in German military history. Blucher was already over 70 when those final campaigns began; his military career dated back to the final years of the Seven Years War, and he carried out combat duties of a minor sort in the previous wars against France, including the disastrous (for the Prussians) war of 1806, the experience of which burned into Blucher's soul, fomenting a deep hatred of Napoleon. Although Blucher's reputation was for reckless attacks, he could be a cautious soldier, and he actually retreated more than he attacked, due mostly to his usually being outnumbered by the French. His outstanding leadership in the German war of 1813 and, especially, his role in the Waterloo campaign are considered masterpieces of the military art, and were instrumental in Napoleon's downfall. Leggiere also gives us glimpses of the private, inner man and his family life. A worthy addition to your Napoleonics library.
August 28, 2019
Probably now the best account of Blücher's life as a commander in English. It didn't shock my view of Blücher after reading Henderson and some other stuff. Blücher was not the charging madman he has sometimes been made to be, but a rational and aggressive commander. Although his great strength lay in the maintenance of the ultimate objective (defeating Napoleon decisively on the battlefield) and inspiration of the men under his command he was clearly more involved in the running of the army than his detractors have suggested.
Driven by his sense of personal pride and urge to show that he loved the Prussian king more than the Prussians he was often more hurt by suggestions of disloyalty on his side or royal disfavour than loss on the battlefield. However, it seems he sought death on the battlefield at Vauchamps at the end of the disastrous week when Napoleon beat his dispersed corps 4 times in 6 days.
Strategically he showed his best during the fall campaign of 1813, when he managed to occupy Napoleon by keeping in close touch and reading his opponents actions well. His pursuit of MacDonald after the Katzbach forced Napoleon to break off the pursuit of the Army of Bohemia and prevented the emperor from moving against Berlin. His move to unite with Bernadotte´s Army of the North was the decisive move of the campaign, but his choice to evade Napoleon by crossing the Saale was of similar brilliance.
In all these cases the question is of course whether the genius was his or Gneisenau´s. To me it appears that Blücher's letters show enough comprehension of the siutation to suggest that he was heavily involved in the decisions. As his moves during 1814 and 1815 show, he was not afraid to try the unconventional, and this seems to have confounded Napoleon.
As one of the few allied commanders not afraid to take on the French emperor himself and because of his ability to draw others along he is probably the single most important military commander on the allied side in the defeat of Napoleon after 1812.
In his personal life he showed many traits of the 'hussar' lifestyle, but he was also a committed husband and father. Leggiere stressed that he also wasn't an uneducated boor, but that the connections made during his period outside the army and especially with the Freemasons, made him socially flexible.
Hats of to Leggiere for this great work, but I think I would have preferred if he had finished his account of the 1814 campaign first.
Driven by his sense of personal pride and urge to show that he loved the Prussian king more than the Prussians he was often more hurt by suggestions of disloyalty on his side or royal disfavour than loss on the battlefield. However, it seems he sought death on the battlefield at Vauchamps at the end of the disastrous week when Napoleon beat his dispersed corps 4 times in 6 days.
Strategically he showed his best during the fall campaign of 1813, when he managed to occupy Napoleon by keeping in close touch and reading his opponents actions well. His pursuit of MacDonald after the Katzbach forced Napoleon to break off the pursuit of the Army of Bohemia and prevented the emperor from moving against Berlin. His move to unite with Bernadotte´s Army of the North was the decisive move of the campaign, but his choice to evade Napoleon by crossing the Saale was of similar brilliance.
In all these cases the question is of course whether the genius was his or Gneisenau´s. To me it appears that Blücher's letters show enough comprehension of the siutation to suggest that he was heavily involved in the decisions. As his moves during 1814 and 1815 show, he was not afraid to try the unconventional, and this seems to have confounded Napoleon.
As one of the few allied commanders not afraid to take on the French emperor himself and because of his ability to draw others along he is probably the single most important military commander on the allied side in the defeat of Napoleon after 1812.
In his personal life he showed many traits of the 'hussar' lifestyle, but he was also a committed husband and father. Leggiere stressed that he also wasn't an uneducated boor, but that the connections made during his period outside the army and especially with the Freemasons, made him socially flexible.
Hats of to Leggiere for this great work, but I think I would have preferred if he had finished his account of the 1814 campaign first.
February 15, 2014
This is quite simply the best scholarly biography of Blucher in English. Leggiere's notes attest to his diligence in ferreting out the surviving sources. The partial destruction of the German Army's archives in Allied bombing during World War II has created gaps in the story of Blucher's life. These gaps will probably never be completely filled but Leggiere is conscientious in pointing out to the reader where the problems lie and presenting the partial evidence to suggest what may have occurred.
The Blucher that emerges is both the hard-living, hard-fighting hussar of myth--much given to drinking, gambling, and (in his youth) womanizing. At the same time, he was a loving family man. As a general he was "General Forward" and "General Backward." In other words, he adapted his strategy to the circumstances of the moment. He was one of the few senior Allied commanders in 1813 and 1814 who was not afraid of Napoleon. Usually, however, he was careful when confronted by the emperor. The one exception to this rule was in Six Days Campaign in February 1814 when Napoleon caught Blucher's Army of Silesia scattered and defeated his corps in detail. While this defeat would have been enough to cause many of his contemporaries to withdraw from the theater of operations, Blucher reunited his army and withdrew to a defensible position. He won the Battle of Laon against the emperor.
Leggiere sees Blucher as indispensable to the Allied victories in 1813, 1814, and 1815. He also regards Blucher, not his staff, as genuinely in command. The relation between Blucher and Scharnhorst (and later Gneisenau) was in no way comparable to that between Hindenberg and Ludendorff a century later.
Leggiere is particularly good in explicating Blucher's mood swings and his bouts with depression (which in June 1808 led to a period of mental illness).
I found some of the operational details difficult to follow because I am not a student of the Napoleonic Wars and my grasp of European geography is not particularly good. The University of Oklahoma Press does provide several good maps to allow readers to follow the text.
Blucher was a key figure in the rise of Prussia in the 19th Century. I commend this first-rate biography to your attention.
The Blucher that emerges is both the hard-living, hard-fighting hussar of myth--much given to drinking, gambling, and (in his youth) womanizing. At the same time, he was a loving family man. As a general he was "General Forward" and "General Backward." In other words, he adapted his strategy to the circumstances of the moment. He was one of the few senior Allied commanders in 1813 and 1814 who was not afraid of Napoleon. Usually, however, he was careful when confronted by the emperor. The one exception to this rule was in Six Days Campaign in February 1814 when Napoleon caught Blucher's Army of Silesia scattered and defeated his corps in detail. While this defeat would have been enough to cause many of his contemporaries to withdraw from the theater of operations, Blucher reunited his army and withdrew to a defensible position. He won the Battle of Laon against the emperor.
Leggiere sees Blucher as indispensable to the Allied victories in 1813, 1814, and 1815. He also regards Blucher, not his staff, as genuinely in command. The relation between Blucher and Scharnhorst (and later Gneisenau) was in no way comparable to that between Hindenberg and Ludendorff a century later.
Leggiere is particularly good in explicating Blucher's mood swings and his bouts with depression (which in June 1808 led to a period of mental illness).
I found some of the operational details difficult to follow because I am not a student of the Napoleonic Wars and my grasp of European geography is not particularly good. The University of Oklahoma Press does provide several good maps to allow readers to follow the text.
Blucher was a key figure in the rise of Prussia in the 19th Century. I commend this first-rate biography to your attention.
December 22, 2022
“On! On my Children!” Shouts Blücher as he charges in to save the day in the 1970 film Waterloo. That is quite a nice summing up of General Blücher, Prussia’s principle general during its’s war of liberation from Napoleon. Here is a general who leads from the front, who is aggressive (such that his nickname is “marshal forwards” but at the same time has a deep concern for his soldiers and is a lovable rogue character. Michael V. Leggiere’s Blücher is a biography of this great general with a focus on his campaigns. But it also provides plenty of insight into Blücher’s character.
For me the book started off slowly but had me hooked after 1806. I think this might be because it rushes too fast through Blücher’s early life and actions. We know very little about him growing up. And his first actions in the Severn Years’ War, and then the revolutionary war were portrayed in a very boring fashion with lists of places moved to without analysis or enough detail to truly understand what is going on. Fortunately, this is only a small part of the book with it really getting going as Prussia is crushed in 1806 – at this point Blücher is already in his sixties and we are only at page 91 – so only a fifth of the way in!
From the 1806 onwards though the military history side is much better. But the next few chapters following 1806 when there is an uneasy peace are also interesting. Blücher is chomping at the bit to start a liberation of Germany from Napoleon and is regularly in conflict with his King. Once Blücher is in command from 1813 we get analysis of what he is doing and lots of quotes (often taken from letters home giving it a personal touch) meaning it becomes much easier to follow the flow of campaigns – something that is helped by maps that have almost all the mentioned places on them. We get the ebb and flow of the campaign but the focus is on Blücher thus I was surprised at how little there is on some important battles. The Battle of the Nations at Leipzig is the biggest battle in history to that point, but despite Blücher’s pivotal role the battle itself only gets a paltry 2 pages!
A question that might be asked of such a well known general is “was he a great commander”. Of his solo battles he loses more than he wins. But his contribution to victory over Napoleon is not about his battles. He is almost never the overall commander, and as such is the auxiliary to a main (usually Austrian) army. His role is therefore not to win but to keep Napoleon off balance and prevent him from defeating the main army. This Leggiere shows he does brilliantly. Blücher famously gets himself positioned at the right time to reinforce Wellington. But he even more importantly did the same at Leipzig in 1813. Leggiere shows it was his boldness, often risking his supply lines that kept Napoleon off balance (p.343). However, given Leggiere acknowledges the debate it is surprising that he does not provide an answer to the question of how much these bold manoeuvres are Blücher’s and how much his Chief of Staff Gneisenau. I’m inclined to think that given Blücher’s history as a hussar who often took scouting roles as a junior officer he is the one who understood the need to keep close to Napoleon when shadowing, to stay in contact with allies to come to their aid, and that the supply chain is not always needed.
It might be a condensed to mostly being the last decade of his life but this book is still a biography. It does not neglect the personal side. In particular, Blücher suffers from depression and quite possibly some form of madness where he believed he was pregnant with an elephant (p.129). It is especially poignant when his son Franz has very similar symptoms following a head wound (p.369) and the immense amount of concern Blücher shows for him. But this should not detract from Blücher mostly being the life and soul of the party; kind, generous, outgoing, loving fun and with a sense of humour.
This is a great book for those who are interested in Blücher’s campaigns as a general and the downfall of Napoleon. Leggiere is an expert on the campaigns of 1813-14 and it shows. But as a biography it is a bit too back loaded, and even though this is where Blücher is pivotal, there is not enough consideration of earlier in his life.
For me the book started off slowly but had me hooked after 1806. I think this might be because it rushes too fast through Blücher’s early life and actions. We know very little about him growing up. And his first actions in the Severn Years’ War, and then the revolutionary war were portrayed in a very boring fashion with lists of places moved to without analysis or enough detail to truly understand what is going on. Fortunately, this is only a small part of the book with it really getting going as Prussia is crushed in 1806 – at this point Blücher is already in his sixties and we are only at page 91 – so only a fifth of the way in!
From the 1806 onwards though the military history side is much better. But the next few chapters following 1806 when there is an uneasy peace are also interesting. Blücher is chomping at the bit to start a liberation of Germany from Napoleon and is regularly in conflict with his King. Once Blücher is in command from 1813 we get analysis of what he is doing and lots of quotes (often taken from letters home giving it a personal touch) meaning it becomes much easier to follow the flow of campaigns – something that is helped by maps that have almost all the mentioned places on them. We get the ebb and flow of the campaign but the focus is on Blücher thus I was surprised at how little there is on some important battles. The Battle of the Nations at Leipzig is the biggest battle in history to that point, but despite Blücher’s pivotal role the battle itself only gets a paltry 2 pages!
A question that might be asked of such a well known general is “was he a great commander”. Of his solo battles he loses more than he wins. But his contribution to victory over Napoleon is not about his battles. He is almost never the overall commander, and as such is the auxiliary to a main (usually Austrian) army. His role is therefore not to win but to keep Napoleon off balance and prevent him from defeating the main army. This Leggiere shows he does brilliantly. Blücher famously gets himself positioned at the right time to reinforce Wellington. But he even more importantly did the same at Leipzig in 1813. Leggiere shows it was his boldness, often risking his supply lines that kept Napoleon off balance (p.343). However, given Leggiere acknowledges the debate it is surprising that he does not provide an answer to the question of how much these bold manoeuvres are Blücher’s and how much his Chief of Staff Gneisenau. I’m inclined to think that given Blücher’s history as a hussar who often took scouting roles as a junior officer he is the one who understood the need to keep close to Napoleon when shadowing, to stay in contact with allies to come to their aid, and that the supply chain is not always needed.
It might be a condensed to mostly being the last decade of his life but this book is still a biography. It does not neglect the personal side. In particular, Blücher suffers from depression and quite possibly some form of madness where he believed he was pregnant with an elephant (p.129). It is especially poignant when his son Franz has very similar symptoms following a head wound (p.369) and the immense amount of concern Blücher shows for him. But this should not detract from Blücher mostly being the life and soul of the party; kind, generous, outgoing, loving fun and with a sense of humour.
This is a great book for those who are interested in Blücher’s campaigns as a general and the downfall of Napoleon. Leggiere is an expert on the campaigns of 1813-14 and it shows. But as a biography it is a bit too back loaded, and even though this is where Blücher is pivotal, there is not enough consideration of earlier in his life.
October 27, 2018
This is a good biography, about a war leader that is often overlooked by those from British military tradition. Who won the battle of Waterloo, really a joint effort between Wellington and Blucher. The only issue with the book is that in places in really goes into great detail about the movements of various armies; movement that was very common in warfare at this time. However without maps these are really just names on a page- and persons to much detail. What I liked most about the book is that Blucher was developed more for me- and became more that a FM who would just charge.
August 27, 2020
Too important a historical figure, to be so under sold.
I enjoy learning more about this great person, I don't know what the Germans have written about him, but it surprises me, to find no movies or more books in English, Français or Español about the war of german liberation and the downfall of Napoléon in 1814, events in wich Blücher was the key
I enjoy learning more about this great person, I don't know what the Germans have written about him, but it surprises me, to find no movies or more books in English, Français or Español about the war of german liberation and the downfall of Napoléon in 1814, events in wich Blücher was the key
October 2, 2022
This is an incredible biography and military history! It is flows like a biography drama, but is as suspenseful as a war drama, and all while being meticulously-researched history. I definitely recommend it for Napoleonic enthusiasts, but it is also accessible to readers new to Napoleonic history.
October 28, 2015
To say that Blücher peaked late would be an understatement, and consequently most of the drama of this book is at the end. It is a good story solidly told. For an anglophone reader, it is also useful to correct the sense that Britain was the only meaningful opponent of Napoleon.
For the most part the publisher did well with this volume. The exception is the maps, which seldom convey what is needed.
For the most part the publisher did well with this volume. The exception is the maps, which seldom convey what is needed.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews