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The Iron Marshal: A Biography of Louis N. Davout
Born into a distinguished Burgundian family in 1770, Louis Nicolas d'Avout began his military career with the French Royal Army but fully embraced the principles of the French Revolution, joining the Republican army as the commander of a battalion of volunteers. He quickly rose to the rank of general of brigade, but was removed from the active list of officers because of his noble birth. Nevertheless, he continued to serve in the Revolutionary army and took part in Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign. His abilities were recognised by Napoleon and Davout was promoted to general of division and was made a Marshal of the Empire in 1804. He fought at many of the great battles of the Napoleonic Wars, including Austerlitz, Eylau, Wagram and Borodino. However, he is most famously remembered for the Battle of Auerstedt in 1806 where his single corps encountered and defeated the main Prussian army which was more than twice as numerous. As a consequence, he was granted the title of Duke of Auerstaedt. He was more commonly known as 'The Iron Marshal' because of his reputation as a stern disciplinarian. Regarded as Napoleon's ablest marshal, he was placed in command of the Hamburg in 1813, which was besieged by the Allies, and only surrendered by Davout after Napoleon had abdicated in 1814. During the Waterloo campaign, Napoleon made Davout Minister of War. This unique study also touches upon the personal life of a man who, despite commanding unlimited respect, had few social skills. We learn of his successful marriage to the beautiful and well-connected Aimee and the couple's struggle with the demands of Parisian social life.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 7, 2016
This book is the long awaited reprint of John Gallaher's 1976 classic account of one of Napoleon's greatest Marshals, Louis Davout, 'The Iron Marshal'. According to David Chandler, Davout was "one of the least liked as a man, the ablest as a commander, and the most feared - and respected - as an adversary. He was also, from 1798, one of the loyalist of Napoleon's key subordinates."
This is an excellent biography of a Napoleonic commander. The book covers Davout's military career from when he entered the Ecole royale militaire in 1779, through the Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and finally his death in 1823. The narrative flowed along faultlessly although I would have liked more detail in regards to Davout's battles. However the author has covered these battles well enough and provided eight maps to assist the reader in following the action. Davout fought in numerous campaigns from Egypt to Russia and was successful always, his most famous battle being at Auerstadt.
Mr Gallaher has also supplied the reader with some insight into Davout the man with details of his relationship with his devoted wife and the tragedies of his children. You leave this book with a feeling that Davout was a man who did his all for duty (France and the Emperor) but never forgot his family. I loved reading this book and I felt it was not long enough (420 pages). I fretted about finishing, I wanted more, I did not want to put the book down nor finish it!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about the napoleonic period or anybody who enjoys a decent military biography. This is a great book about a great commander.
This is an excellent biography of a Napoleonic commander. The book covers Davout's military career from when he entered the Ecole royale militaire in 1779, through the Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and finally his death in 1823. The narrative flowed along faultlessly although I would have liked more detail in regards to Davout's battles. However the author has covered these battles well enough and provided eight maps to assist the reader in following the action. Davout fought in numerous campaigns from Egypt to Russia and was successful always, his most famous battle being at Auerstadt.
Mr Gallaher has also supplied the reader with some insight into Davout the man with details of his relationship with his devoted wife and the tragedies of his children. You leave this book with a feeling that Davout was a man who did his all for duty (France and the Emperor) but never forgot his family. I loved reading this book and I felt it was not long enough (420 pages). I fretted about finishing, I wanted more, I did not want to put the book down nor finish it!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about the napoleonic period or anybody who enjoys a decent military biography. This is a great book about a great commander.
December 4, 2025
As solid a biography as you can get, covering the life of one of the most interesting military figures ever. Real bummer maréchal politics denied us the Napoleon-Davout combo from Russia onwards, feels like one of the classic 'what ifs' from the era. Do wish Gallaher had spent a little longer on his defence of Paris and Davout's decisions (and the opposition he faced from most in the army). Felt like everything post-Hamburg became a quick procession to get it covered. Before that, everything was covered in cracking depth.
August 7, 2022
Having just finished this excellent account of the life of Louis Davout, I feel I have to remark on how surprisingly good so much Napoleonic history is. I'm constantly reading in this vast subject, and frequently encountering an author who's new to me. And, by and large, most of what I read is very good.
John G. Gallagher is such an author, i.e. new to me, and his biography of Louis-Nicolas Davout, The Iron Marshal, is better than merely very good, it is superb. We get the whole story, from his birth into a thoroughly military family of the lesser nobility, through the upheavals of the Revolution, and on into the glory years of the Napoleonic era, finally passing to the restoration of the Bourbons and, not long after that, Davout's decline and death.
Gallagher perfectly balances all the elements, writing in an easy going yet authoratative manner, with a turn of pace brisk enough to keep the read exciting, and thorough enough to keep it fascinating. Of course the major interest for readers like myself are Davout's great successes, chief of which is Auerstedt. But all his campaigns and battles are adroitly covered.
After the Russian debacle Napoleon perhaps fails to employ Davout, arguably his most capable lieutenant, to best advantage. Firstly leaving him stranded in Hamburg as the Allies sweep westward, prior to his first abdication. And then choosing to employ him in Paris as Minister of War, during the 100 Days Campaign, when he might've been better employed in the field, and thus perhaps hastening the Emperor’s own second and final abdication?
If not universally loved, then certainly greatly and widely respected, Davout emerges as a capable and judicious leader. Not as colourful or ambitious as your Murats or Bernadottes, perhaps, but instead a more devoted and more principled man, less self-interested and more duty-bound, whose belief in discipline and organisation meant the troops under his care were second only to the Guard.
Gallagher's book has proven to be the perfect way for me to learn more about one of Napoleon's most capable commanders. Highly recommended.
John G. Gallagher is such an author, i.e. new to me, and his biography of Louis-Nicolas Davout, The Iron Marshal, is better than merely very good, it is superb. We get the whole story, from his birth into a thoroughly military family of the lesser nobility, through the upheavals of the Revolution, and on into the glory years of the Napoleonic era, finally passing to the restoration of the Bourbons and, not long after that, Davout's decline and death.
Gallagher perfectly balances all the elements, writing in an easy going yet authoratative manner, with a turn of pace brisk enough to keep the read exciting, and thorough enough to keep it fascinating. Of course the major interest for readers like myself are Davout's great successes, chief of which is Auerstedt. But all his campaigns and battles are adroitly covered.
After the Russian debacle Napoleon perhaps fails to employ Davout, arguably his most capable lieutenant, to best advantage. Firstly leaving him stranded in Hamburg as the Allies sweep westward, prior to his first abdication. And then choosing to employ him in Paris as Minister of War, during the 100 Days Campaign, when he might've been better employed in the field, and thus perhaps hastening the Emperor’s own second and final abdication?
If not universally loved, then certainly greatly and widely respected, Davout emerges as a capable and judicious leader. Not as colourful or ambitious as your Murats or Bernadottes, perhaps, but instead a more devoted and more principled man, less self-interested and more duty-bound, whose belief in discipline and organisation meant the troops under his care were second only to the Guard.
Gallagher's book has proven to be the perfect way for me to learn more about one of Napoleon's most capable commanders. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2021
Learned quite a bit - Davout again destroys the myth that Napoleon promoted on merit as I discovered Davout had married into the family. I also didn't realise his early history in the armies of the north nor Egypt in mobile counter insurgency. Davout comes across as a real firebrand always believing there is a military solution and probably being right... even with Egypt maybe? He is credited with also being a great army administrator and although this may be true it becomes hearsay without actual proof being presented.
It is an good biography - illuminating, interesting and a good read, but not really great biographical history I'm sorry to say. The life story develops well towards the end only, but the book notes that it is this the period where Davout actually put his own papers into order (with assistance) so it was the easy part. Also it is noted that a biography exists in French and one rather suspects that despite the copious bibliography at the end, in actual fact the earlier work is the actual source. It is a shame really because surely there was scope for much greater research and cross referencing to produce truly great academic biography which could have contributed much to the overall understanding of the Napoleonic era.
It is an good biography - illuminating, interesting and a good read, but not really great biographical history I'm sorry to say. The life story develops well towards the end only, but the book notes that it is this the period where Davout actually put his own papers into order (with assistance) so it was the easy part. Also it is noted that a biography exists in French and one rather suspects that despite the copious bibliography at the end, in actual fact the earlier work is the actual source. It is a shame really because surely there was scope for much greater research and cross referencing to produce truly great academic biography which could have contributed much to the overall understanding of the Napoleonic era.
August 21, 2025
A very good read. Some biographies get bogged down in too much detail and it can be difficult to continue. That was not the case with this book. I was a fan of Davout before the read, and I am even more of a fan after.
November 6, 2024
i am going to kill myself ( positive )
December 18, 2021
Having studied the history of a man who was chief of staff to Davout and who found himself accused of participation in the Violet Revolution after the return of the Bourbons, I had hoped for more detail on the heart-wrenching experience Davout and his senior officers went through in 1815 and the revolt he had on his hands from some of his closest staff when it came to whether or not to resist an assault on Paris. He gave way to the Allies, most of his men felt betrayed.
April 24, 2015
An excellent look at a man who ably and loyally served Napoleon. His great victory at Auerstadt proved his ability on the battlefield.
October 31, 2017
Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews