Napoleon and the Struggle for Germany: The Franco-Prussian War of 1813, Volume 1. The War of Liberation, Spring 1813

Napoleon and the Struggle for Germany #1

by Michael V. Leggiere

This is the first comprehensive history of the campaign that determined control of Germany following Napoleon's catastrophic defeat in Russia. Michael Leggiere reveals how, in the spring of 1813, Prussia, the weakest of the Great Powers, led the struggle against Napoleon as a war of national liberation. Using German, French, British, Russian, Austrian and Swedish sources, he provides a panoramic history which covers the full sweep of the battle for Germany from the mobilization of the belligerents, strategy and operations to coalition warfare, diplomacy and civil-military relations. He shows how Russian war weariness conflicted with Prussian impetuosity, resulting in the crisis that almost ended the Sixth Coalition in early June. In a single campaign, Napoleon drove the Russo-Prussian army from the banks of the Saale to the banks of the Oder. The Russo-Prussian alliance was perilously close to imploding only to be saved at the eleventh-hour by an armistice.

Genres: History, Military History, France, Nonfiction, Germany

504 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

Michael 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.

Reviews

[Fernando D]

A massive work covering the fighting in Eastern and Central Germany from Spring 1813 through Napoleon’s defeat at Leipzig in November. A two volume set that is not for the casual reader or the fait of heart: the author examines everything from the French and Allied point of view (further broken down by the German and Russian and later the Austrian PoV). Consequently, you can read for 100 pages for a week a s realize that only 24 hours have passed for the historical actors. On the other hand, this level of meticulousness gives great insight into the thought process, motives and assumptions of the principals in the story that most short histories I’ve read miss. Prof Leggiere does a magnificent job of showing why Napoleon lost this campaign when he really should have won. Still, only for the - very - serious student of the period

[Robert]

wow - soooooooo dense, but thorough coverage of the political wrangling behind the military campaigns. Not for the casual reader or those seeking a quick narrative. And this is only the first volume!

[José Alfonso]

Contrary to popular belief, Napoleon did not loss his crown as the result of the 1812 disaster in Russia, but in Germany in 1813. This book provides plenty of details on how that came about.