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Prelude to Waterloo: Quatre Bras: The French Perspective
"As a piece of historical research, this is a force majeure . . . a must read for anyone interested in the Napoleonic Wars" by the author of Waterloo (Federation of Family History Societies).
The Battle of Quatre Bras was critical to the outcome of the Waterloo campaign--to the victory of the allied armies of Wellington and Bl�cher, the defeat of the French and the fall of Napoleon. But it has been overshadowed by the two larger-scale engagements at Ligny and at Waterloo itself. And too often the clash at Quatre Bras has been seen mainly through the eyes of the British and their allies--the viewpoint of the French has been neglected. It is this weakness in the history of the battle that Andrew Field focuses on in this original and highly readable new study. Drawing on French eyewitness recollections and later commentary, he reconstructs the French experience of the battle--and the French interpretation of it. He quotes extensively, and subjects to critical analysis, the conflicting accounts written by Napoleon and his subordinates as they sought justify their decisions and actions at this pivotal moment in the campaign.
"Andrew Field writes with a light touch that makes a very detailed discussion of this significant event of the Hundred Days campaign a pleasure to read. This volume is an ideal companion to his previous book on Waterloo and to Robinson's account of Quatre Bras."--Miniature Wargames Magazine
"Offer[s] a new perspective of this significant confrontation that is often overshadowed by Ligny and Waterloo."--Gloire & Empire
The Battle of Quatre Bras was critical to the outcome of the Waterloo campaign--to the victory of the allied armies of Wellington and Bl�cher, the defeat of the French and the fall of Napoleon. But it has been overshadowed by the two larger-scale engagements at Ligny and at Waterloo itself. And too often the clash at Quatre Bras has been seen mainly through the eyes of the British and their allies--the viewpoint of the French has been neglected. It is this weakness in the history of the battle that Andrew Field focuses on in this original and highly readable new study. Drawing on French eyewitness recollections and later commentary, he reconstructs the French experience of the battle--and the French interpretation of it. He quotes extensively, and subjects to critical analysis, the conflicting accounts written by Napoleon and his subordinates as they sought justify their decisions and actions at this pivotal moment in the campaign.
"Andrew Field writes with a light touch that makes a very detailed discussion of this significant event of the Hundred Days campaign a pleasure to read. This volume is an ideal companion to his previous book on Waterloo and to Robinson's account of Quatre Bras."--Miniature Wargames Magazine
"Offer[s] a new perspective of this significant confrontation that is often overshadowed by Ligny and Waterloo."--Gloire & Empire
232 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2014
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About the author
Andrew W. Field
10 books16 followersAndrew Field MBE is a former British army officer whose travels around the world have given him a unique opportunity to explore battlefields from ancient history to present times. He has always harboured a special fascination for the Napoleonic Wars. In particular he has reassessed Napoleon's campaigns in 1814 and 1815, and has carried out extensive research into Wellington's battles in the Peninsula. He has published articles on these topics and two notable books: Talavera: Wellington's First Victory in Spain and Waterloo: The French Perspective.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 10, 2022
A good review of the battle focusing on the French side as expected.
Two niggles were the Anglo-centric view from the other side. It didn't seem to take account of more recent Dutch scholarship and was perhaps rather harsh in its judgements of them, especially given the odds faced in the first part of the battle. Also, it seemed odd, given the enumeration of Ney's situation on the morning of the battle, when he was still trying to find out what forces he actually commanded, to continually berate him for not starting the battle earlier. How is he supposed to start a battle, or even order a reconnaissance, while he's still trying to understand the situation Napoleon put him in the day before? Yes, I agree his tunnel vision later in the day was a major problem, to be repeated at Waterloo, but taking over a corps with no staff in a matter of hours seems like a major achievement to me, without demanding that he start a battle at the same time!
Two niggles were the Anglo-centric view from the other side. It didn't seem to take account of more recent Dutch scholarship and was perhaps rather harsh in its judgements of them, especially given the odds faced in the first part of the battle. Also, it seemed odd, given the enumeration of Ney's situation on the morning of the battle, when he was still trying to find out what forces he actually commanded, to continually berate him for not starting the battle earlier. How is he supposed to start a battle, or even order a reconnaissance, while he's still trying to understand the situation Napoleon put him in the day before? Yes, I agree his tunnel vision later in the day was a major problem, to be repeated at Waterloo, but taking over a corps with no staff in a matter of hours seems like a major achievement to me, without demanding that he start a battle at the same time!
June 10, 2017
Whilst
The author repeats at nausea, again and again each subject to make sure we, poor mortals, finally understands.
He used the word "whilst" up to 3 times in one page and even in one sentence.!!! Ney failure to concentrate or understand is stated also every other page... I did not learn anything from this frustrating account "from the French side" except that the allied army was destroyed, cut down, massacred, slaughtered so many times that I wonder how the French lost with so many victories.
The author repeats at nausea, again and again each subject to make sure we, poor mortals, finally understands.
He used the word "whilst" up to 3 times in one page and even in one sentence.!!! Ney failure to concentrate or understand is stated also every other page... I did not learn anything from this frustrating account "from the French side" except that the allied army was destroyed, cut down, massacred, slaughtered so many times that I wonder how the French lost with so many victories.
August 18, 2021
A very thorough look at the battle. Tons of French sources (eye witness and the actual orders and correspondence) made it very authoritative.
The book's style shifts between two mode: a traditional historical narrative, and a "courtroom" style back and forth on controversies. They would present pros and cons, or establish motives (i.e why did Ney not do X..." and then summon evidences.
The technique is cool and makes the reader understand many sides of the issue. However it is over employed at times, with much repetition. If that wasn't an issue then it probably would warrant 5 stars.
The book's style shifts between two mode: a traditional historical narrative, and a "courtroom" style back and forth on controversies. They would present pros and cons, or establish motives (i.e why did Ney not do X..." and then summon evidences.
The technique is cool and makes the reader understand many sides of the issue. However it is over employed at times, with much repetition. If that wasn't an issue then it probably would warrant 5 stars.
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February 14, 2023For any real student of the history of 19th century Europe, the life of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington, this is a must read. Most readers are familiar with the battle of Waterloo as a significant date in history, but the build-up to this event is equally fascinating. The fact that within a 100 day perild Napoleon could escape from Elba, reclaim the French government, rebuild a massive army and strike fear to all who had recently exiled him is a story that must be read.
August 6, 2016
Having read Field's book on Waterloo, I decided to also read his take on Quatre Bras, which occurred two days before the great battle of June 18, 1815. Quatre Bras was certainly smaller in scale since it concerned only the French left wing under Marshal Ney and elements of the Allied army, but it is no less interesting because of its importance in conjunction with the other battle fought that day at Ligny.
After reading this book, I discovered some facts that previously escaped me, in particular that Napoleon really did not care about 'winning' at Quatre Bras as long as Ney kept the Allies in place so they would not reinforce Blucher at Ligny. For Napoleon, Ligny and the destruction of the Prussian Army was essential. Then, he could turn and with Ney's men they could take the Anglo-Dutch Army.
I had realized that Napoleon felt his only chance to win was to keep the two armies apart, but after reading this book, it would seem that Marshal Ney did not fully realize his part in the day's fighting.
He did not display the aggressve spirit of other battles, and in one of the great 'moments' in a battle, he recalled d'Erlon's 1st Corps when it was on its way to Ligny to reinforce Napoleon. Unfortunately for the French, d'Erlon tried to play it safe, splitting his forces which only served to do little for either Ney or Napoleon.
Field also points out some of Napoleon's mistakes, particularly on the morning of the 17th, but it is the story of the Belgian crossroads at Quatre Bras that is at the crux of this book. This is just another good example of the vagaries of battle. As Field points out, Napoleon was working against time, and by midday of the the 17th, his two opponents had slipped away from him, only to meet again at Waterloo.
After reading this book, I discovered some facts that previously escaped me, in particular that Napoleon really did not care about 'winning' at Quatre Bras as long as Ney kept the Allies in place so they would not reinforce Blucher at Ligny. For Napoleon, Ligny and the destruction of the Prussian Army was essential. Then, he could turn and with Ney's men they could take the Anglo-Dutch Army.
I had realized that Napoleon felt his only chance to win was to keep the two armies apart, but after reading this book, it would seem that Marshal Ney did not fully realize his part in the day's fighting.
He did not display the aggressve spirit of other battles, and in one of the great 'moments' in a battle, he recalled d'Erlon's 1st Corps when it was on its way to Ligny to reinforce Napoleon. Unfortunately for the French, d'Erlon tried to play it safe, splitting his forces which only served to do little for either Ney or Napoleon.
Field also points out some of Napoleon's mistakes, particularly on the morning of the 17th, but it is the story of the Belgian crossroads at Quatre Bras that is at the crux of this book. This is just another good example of the vagaries of battle. As Field points out, Napoleon was working against time, and by midday of the the 17th, his two opponents had slipped away from him, only to meet again at Waterloo.
October 15, 2016
Military history at its best
This book is an engaging s study of decisions and results of action and, critically, lost opportunities, making the desperate battle of Waterloo unavoidable. The perspective of the participants cannot be known for certain, as the author makes clear. Fields shows an army rife with desperation, looking over their shoulder, and lacking crucial elements and leaders, such as Murat and Davout, and relying on such as Ney who instead performed as he had in previous battles (such as Eylau, Bautzen and most of the time in the Peninsular War). I am next reading the book Waterloo: The French Perspective.
This book is an engaging s study of decisions and results of action and, critically, lost opportunities, making the desperate battle of Waterloo unavoidable. The perspective of the participants cannot be known for certain, as the author makes clear. Fields shows an army rife with desperation, looking over their shoulder, and lacking crucial elements and leaders, such as Murat and Davout, and relying on such as Ney who instead performed as he had in previous battles (such as Eylau, Bautzen and most of the time in the Peninsular War). I am next reading the book Waterloo: The French Perspective.
May 8, 2016
I've not read anything about the battle of Quatre Bras before, and there lays the problem........ this book is really needs a good understanding to get the most from it. If I'd read anything before I'd given it 3 stars and if I was recommending it to a student of the napoleonic wars, 4 stars.
In all, don't start here....... :-)
In all, don't start here....... :-)
December 27, 2016
Square Bras
This is a very detailed description of the battle with a good review on it the only thing I didn't like was no maps of the troop movements
This is a very detailed description of the battle with a good review on it the only thing I didn't like was no maps of the troop movements
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews