What do you think?
Rate this book
The Duke & the Emperor: Wellington & Napoleon
Originally published in 1994 and now reissued in paperback to coincide with publicity surrounding the 186th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, a dual portrait of Wellington and Napoleon, which focuses on their talents, and how, though the two men met only once in battle, between them they determined the fate of Europe.
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
John Strawson
35 books2 followersMajor General John Strawson, CBE was a British Army officer, best known for his service during the Second World War in the Middle East and Italy, and afterwards in Germany and Malaya.
Following the amalgamation of the 4th and 8th Hussars as The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, he commanded the Regiment in Malaysia and Germany. For his leadership during the Borneo campaign he was invested O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
Later he commanded at brigade level and was Chief of Staff, United Kingdom Land Forces. For this latter service he was advanced to C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). He had previously been awarded the US Bronze Star for his leadership during the Italian campaign of 1944-45. In civilian life he became a prolific author, especially on military matters.
After retiring from the Army, Strawson wrote a number of books of military history and biography, including studies of the British Army. He collaborated with General Sir John Hackett and others in writing the two volumes of "The Third World War". His later books include "The Duke and the Emperor; Wellington and Napoleon" (1994) and "Churchill and Hitler: In Victory and Defeat" (1997).
Following the amalgamation of the 4th and 8th Hussars as The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, he commanded the Regiment in Malaysia and Germany. For his leadership during the Borneo campaign he was invested O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
Later he commanded at brigade level and was Chief of Staff, United Kingdom Land Forces. For this latter service he was advanced to C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). He had previously been awarded the US Bronze Star for his leadership during the Italian campaign of 1944-45. In civilian life he became a prolific author, especially on military matters.
After retiring from the Army, Strawson wrote a number of books of military history and biography, including studies of the British Army. He collaborated with General Sir John Hackett and others in writing the two volumes of "The Third World War". His later books include "The Duke and the Emperor; Wellington and Napoleon" (1994) and "Churchill and Hitler: In Victory and Defeat" (1997).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 26, 2016
A fantastically well-written and engaging book, John Strawson's clear and concise history of the Napoleonic War, told primarily through the binary opposition of Napoleon and Wellington, is a fantastic starting book for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Wars. Running right through both of the generals' lives, the book sets out their differences, their opinions of each other, and gives time to their personal as well as military lives.
It is an exceptionally interesting book- literally, for me, unputdownable- which tells in easy and enjoyable dialogue not only the lives of the two men, but the greater stories of their campaigns as a whole: nothing feels left out, and everything the book tries to get across is conveyed well.
It does have a few minor flaws: it tends to repeat itself a lot, especially at the end, which compared to the rest of the book is weak. It's continued references to the 'petticoats' involved in each man's life begins to grate, and at certain points the book does become somewhat polemical or editorial against certain characters. Nevertheless, for those not complete scholars on the Napoleonic years, it is a definite must-read book.
It is an exceptionally interesting book- literally, for me, unputdownable- which tells in easy and enjoyable dialogue not only the lives of the two men, but the greater stories of their campaigns as a whole: nothing feels left out, and everything the book tries to get across is conveyed well.
It does have a few minor flaws: it tends to repeat itself a lot, especially at the end, which compared to the rest of the book is weak. It's continued references to the 'petticoats' involved in each man's life begins to grate, and at certain points the book does become somewhat polemical or editorial against certain characters. Nevertheless, for those not complete scholars on the Napoleonic years, it is a definite must-read book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review