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Soult: Napoleon's Maligned Marshall
Not only was Marshal Soult an outstanding military commander and prime architect of Napoleon's Grand Armee, but he was France's longest-serving head of Government and a statesman of great note. His reputation has been damaged by his "acquisition" of art treasures from the countries he fought - a fault not ignored by this book - but this cannot detract from his long and significant influence on European military and political history.
- GenresHistory
240 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1990
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February 16, 2018
This isn't so much a history or a biography as a hagiography. In the introduction Hayman makes his close relationship with Soult's family clear and while this obviously helped with access to the Marshal's papers it does feel like he has fallen under Soult's spell.
In practice this means that every part of the story is given the most positive possible gloss. Soult can do no wrong. Every incident is explained to make it clear that Soult's motives were pure and his plans were defeated by the inaction or incompetence of others. Hayman makes the case for Soult as one of Napoleon's most significant and talented marshals, and it more convincing if he felt more even handed in his approach.
As it stands this feels like special pleading, out of kilter with much of the rest of what has been written (at least in English) about Napoleon's marshals. To truly 'correct the record' as the author clearly aims to do it would need to engage more critically Soult's record.
In short a reasonable brief introduction to the life of one of the more significant marshals, marred by an uncritical approach.
In practice this means that every part of the story is given the most positive possible gloss. Soult can do no wrong. Every incident is explained to make it clear that Soult's motives were pure and his plans were defeated by the inaction or incompetence of others. Hayman makes the case for Soult as one of Napoleon's most significant and talented marshals, and it more convincing if he felt more even handed in his approach.
As it stands this feels like special pleading, out of kilter with much of the rest of what has been written (at least in English) about Napoleon's marshals. To truly 'correct the record' as the author clearly aims to do it would need to engage more critically Soult's record.
In short a reasonable brief introduction to the life of one of the more significant marshals, marred by an uncritical approach.
Displaying 1 of 1 review