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Napoleon i jego marszałkowie.
Najwyżej oceniany przez napoleonistów esej historyczny.
Macdonell krytycznie prezentuje sylwetki 26 wybrańców Cesarza, którzy otrzymali marszałkowskie buławy, śledzi ich losy, wydobywa na światło dzienne ich talenty i ułomności.
Choć dzieło Macdonella należy już do klasyki, to jednak wciąż stanowi obowiązkową pozycję dla miłośników epoki napoleońskiej, a przy tym oferuje prawdziwą "ucztę" literacką
Macdonell krytycznie prezentuje sylwetki 26 wybrańców Cesarza, którzy otrzymali marszałkowskie buławy, śledzi ich losy, wydobywa na światło dzienne ich talenty i ułomności.
Choć dzieło Macdonella należy już do klasyki, to jednak wciąż stanowi obowiązkową pozycję dla miłośników epoki napoleońskiej, a przy tym oferuje prawdziwą "ucztę" literacką
252 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1934
67 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Macdonell
29 books8 followersArchibald Gordon Macdonell was a Scottish writer, journalist and broadcaster, whose most famous work is the gently satirical novel England, Their England (1933).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 11, 2017
I recently finished reading a 1934 hardback edition of A.G. MacDonell's Napoleon and his Marshals. Bearing in mind that this book was first published over 70 years ago I found it immensely enjoyable. It does not offer a detailed account of Napoleon's great battles nor in-depth detail of movements, strategy & tactics but offers an interesting insight into the men Napoleon created as Marshals during his reign over the battlefields of Europe.
I would have liked to have read more of the battles of Eylau and Friedland and other great Napoleonic battles in the book but I still came away after finishing the story deeply satisfied and happy that I had indeed taken the time to read this account. The author makes no claims to providing a full and descriptive account of Napoleon and his Empire; the book is too small for that. However in 370 odd pages he brings to life the period between 1796 and 1852, the date of the death of the last Marshal, Auguste Frederic Louis Viesse de Marmont, Duke of Ragusa.
This is a great story, easy to read, full of information and accounts of some of the greatest soldiers of France. As some of the previous reviewers have mentioned, the chapter dealing with what happened to these great men after 1815 is at times saddening and I found, deeply moving. This book is well worth the time to sit down and enjoy and I think anyone who has an interest in the Napoleonic period will find this title a gem to keep in his or her library.
I would have liked to have read more of the battles of Eylau and Friedland and other great Napoleonic battles in the book but I still came away after finishing the story deeply satisfied and happy that I had indeed taken the time to read this account. The author makes no claims to providing a full and descriptive account of Napoleon and his Empire; the book is too small for that. However in 370 odd pages he brings to life the period between 1796 and 1852, the date of the death of the last Marshal, Auguste Frederic Louis Viesse de Marmont, Duke of Ragusa.
This is a great story, easy to read, full of information and accounts of some of the greatest soldiers of France. As some of the previous reviewers have mentioned, the chapter dealing with what happened to these great men after 1815 is at times saddening and I found, deeply moving. This book is well worth the time to sit down and enjoy and I think anyone who has an interest in the Napoleonic period will find this title a gem to keep in his or her library.
January 7, 2016
I am always wary of reading old history books; new information appears all the time, interpretations change, and old writing styles can be difficult. This book is a delightful exception. Originally published in 1934, it is written in a very light way, and is never stuffy or dry; indeed at times it is almost gossipy, sometimes very funny.
It does exactly what the title suggests; rather than rehashing a biography of Napoleon, it looks at the lives of his marshals, his relationship with them, and, perhaps most importantly, their relationship with each other. Before reading this book, I could name probably five or six of these men, but in all, Napoleon appointed eighteen, and their story is well told in this work. Most were from very humble origins - a result of the meritocracy which the Emperor initiated - and their achievements were varied. Some were magnificent generals, able on their day to rival Napoleon himself, some were great staff officers, one founded a Royal House still in existence today, others were mediocre in the extreme, but rewarded for political reasons. Napoleon was not just a remarkable military leader, but a great politician and psychologist as well.
But the really good reading is about their relationships with each other. Probably because of their origins (given the age in which they lived) they were mostly incredibly insecure. At best, they generally disliked one another, at worst, were happy to see a rival fail. As MacDonell shows, this played a huge part in bringing Napoleon's Empire down. His descriptions of the foibles of each of these men is immensely readable, and at times very funny.
All in all, this is a very readable book. So much has been written about Napoleon, and his military successes and failures. This book reminds us that he did not work alone; even he was dependent on others, and whilst they often let him down, they also won battles for him. Yes, you need to remember that new evidence will have surfaced since this was written, but for a general overview, it is hard to beat.
It does exactly what the title suggests; rather than rehashing a biography of Napoleon, it looks at the lives of his marshals, his relationship with them, and, perhaps most importantly, their relationship with each other. Before reading this book, I could name probably five or six of these men, but in all, Napoleon appointed eighteen, and their story is well told in this work. Most were from very humble origins - a result of the meritocracy which the Emperor initiated - and their achievements were varied. Some were magnificent generals, able on their day to rival Napoleon himself, some were great staff officers, one founded a Royal House still in existence today, others were mediocre in the extreme, but rewarded for political reasons. Napoleon was not just a remarkable military leader, but a great politician and psychologist as well.
But the really good reading is about their relationships with each other. Probably because of their origins (given the age in which they lived) they were mostly incredibly insecure. At best, they generally disliked one another, at worst, were happy to see a rival fail. As MacDonell shows, this played a huge part in bringing Napoleon's Empire down. His descriptions of the foibles of each of these men is immensely readable, and at times very funny.
All in all, this is a very readable book. So much has been written about Napoleon, and his military successes and failures. This book reminds us that he did not work alone; even he was dependent on others, and whilst they often let him down, they also won battles for him. Yes, you need to remember that new evidence will have surfaced since this was written, but for a general overview, it is hard to beat.
October 11, 2021
Wonderful book based at marshalls of Napoleonic France. And actually four of them has been honored members of senate, while other fourteenth has been soldiers.
Although Talleyrand could be even kicked by any of them and would not protest. (his ways with women though : D - has been sourced from other books)
And still too, these wonderful scenes of scenery that show how was Poland back then, like these :
-Napoleon's Grand army in Poland
" It was a strange country into which the Grand Army had now entered.
Italy's olive groves and vineyards, the forested Danube valley and the fertile lands of southern Germany seemed to be a beautiful memory of the distant future. Cities were rare, villages were small and unbelievably dirty, houses composed almost only from four log walls and a huge clay oven, and there were Jews everywhere, Jews owned shops, Jews made vodka, Jews sold dried fish, Jews finally they spoke a language that had a somewhat remote resemblance to languages heard by soldiers formerly. The only Polish words the army learned quickly were "bread"("chleb" and "ain't"("nie ma"). For the most part, the food of the soldiers was only water and potatoes, and that was missing, because the light cavalry leading the way ate everything that could be eaten. The infantry had their boots tied with a string to their legs, so as not to lose them in the mud, and the rifles were on their backs, so that both hands were free to pull each leg out of the sticky muddy slime in turn."
And about Poniatowski and Polish struggle because of Russia
"Poniatowski was a Polish patriot, like all Polish patriots - he elatedly welcomed Napoleon entering Warsaw in 1806 and was greatly terrified and disappointed when France and Russia communicated with each other on the raft at Tylża (Treaties of Tilsit) in 1807. Strong Russia exaggerated Poland's existence. When, therefore, relations between Napoleon and Alexander began to cool, no one was as happy about it as Poniatowski. When the Great Army crossed the Nemunas in 1812, the prince brought 36,000 Polish regular soldiers with him and, in addition, provided 65,000 men for garrison duty.
He was wounded during the retreat from Moscow, but in 1813 he was ready to go out into the field again. "
Liked it, even though Writer himself has a lot of humor in his writing, its solid and has that dash hint as well.
Although Talleyrand could be even kicked by any of them and would not protest. (his ways with women though : D - has been sourced from other books)
And still too, these wonderful scenes of scenery that show how was Poland back then, like these :
-Napoleon's Grand army in Poland
" It was a strange country into which the Grand Army had now entered.
Italy's olive groves and vineyards, the forested Danube valley and the fertile lands of southern Germany seemed to be a beautiful memory of the distant future. Cities were rare, villages were small and unbelievably dirty, houses composed almost only from four log walls and a huge clay oven, and there were Jews everywhere, Jews owned shops, Jews made vodka, Jews sold dried fish, Jews finally they spoke a language that had a somewhat remote resemblance to languages heard by soldiers formerly. The only Polish words the army learned quickly were "bread"("chleb" and "ain't"("nie ma"). For the most part, the food of the soldiers was only water and potatoes, and that was missing, because the light cavalry leading the way ate everything that could be eaten. The infantry had their boots tied with a string to their legs, so as not to lose them in the mud, and the rifles were on their backs, so that both hands were free to pull each leg out of the sticky muddy slime in turn."
And about Poniatowski and Polish struggle because of Russia
"Poniatowski was a Polish patriot, like all Polish patriots - he elatedly welcomed Napoleon entering Warsaw in 1806 and was greatly terrified and disappointed when France and Russia communicated with each other on the raft at Tylża (Treaties of Tilsit) in 1807. Strong Russia exaggerated Poland's existence. When, therefore, relations between Napoleon and Alexander began to cool, no one was as happy about it as Poniatowski. When the Great Army crossed the Nemunas in 1812, the prince brought 36,000 Polish regular soldiers with him and, in addition, provided 65,000 men for garrison duty.
He was wounded during the retreat from Moscow, but in 1813 he was ready to go out into the field again. "
Liked it, even though Writer himself has a lot of humor in his writing, its solid and has that dash hint as well.
June 20, 2016
A favourite - first read my Dad's copy when a schoolboy. The sort of stuff that woukld really engage a teenage boy: the rise and rise of a very young military officer to become the dictator of europe. And the bunch of officers he promoted to be the 'Marechals' of his empre. Now, looking back (a long long way) I can see it is a bitter-sweet story - the continual striving for 'one final victory' that in the end lead to Russia, and so to the abdications, Waterloo and exile. Not many of the marshals did have a happy ending (except Bernadotte, who scrounged the kingdom of Sweden): not a few were shot, or died in poverty, though a few managed to change sides and keep in with the restored monarchy
March 27, 2025
Two dozen (or so) men as fascinating as Napoleon himself. Maybe two-thirds of the whole Imperial Marshalate boasts stories that would be leading roles in nearly every other period of history.
Here's my ranking on the 26. No, I won't be taking any feedback or notes:
1. Davout
2. Lannes
3. Massena
4. Ney
5. Soult
6. Suchet
7. Berthier
8. Bernadotte
9. MacDonald
10. Augereau
11. Murat
12. Saint-Cyr
13. Poniatowski
14. Marmont
15. Bessieres
16. Victor
17. Mortier
18. Oudinot
19. Lefebvre
20. Moncey
21. Kellermann
22-24. Serurier, Jourdan, Grouchy
25-26. Perignon, Brune
Here's my ranking on the 26. No, I won't be taking any feedback or notes:
1. Davout
2. Lannes
3. Massena
4. Ney
5. Soult
6. Suchet
7. Berthier
8. Bernadotte
9. MacDonald
10. Augereau
11. Murat
12. Saint-Cyr
13. Poniatowski
14. Marmont
15. Bessieres
16. Victor
17. Mortier
18. Oudinot
19. Lefebvre
20. Moncey
21. Kellermann
22-24. Serurier, Jourdan, Grouchy
25-26. Perignon, Brune
June 25, 2025
A fantastic, concise monograph
January 20, 2021
Not without interest, but the anti-French slant from this British writer is obvious - so not as objective as I would like. The sneering tone is wearying at times.
This writer definitely has his favourites: Suchet and Davout - hard to argue with him there -, Lannes; Masséna and Murat to some extent; but there is hardly one marshal toward whom he doesn't direct some degree of contempt. He seems to admire Marmont's many talents, but along with many other writers he blackens him because of his treason in 1814 (other historians dispute whether his troops surrendered to the enemy ahead of Marmont's orders). He reserves particular contempt for Victor and, surprisingly, for poor Bessières, who is usually the object historians' respect at the very least.
This was an interesting read, but too often disappointing. Considering there were 26 marshals, 297 pages is very short for such a vast topic. The index is perfunctory; many individuals mentioned in the text do not appear in it, and of those who do, not every instance of their being mentioned in the text makes it to the index.
Most frustrating is the absence of a bibliography. For example, where did the author discover that Davout was mad for waltzing? I would have liked to know, as this seems so much at odds with his character. But the author chooses to state his distrust of bibliographies, meaning other authors bibliographies, instead airily informing us that he will "confine" himself "to the simple statement that every single detail of this book has been taken from one or other work of history, reference reminiscence or biography". It is not even possible, from this statement, to know whether the author could read French; if he could not, one would have to assume that all his research material came from translated sources, necessarily much smaller in number than original source material. In any case, it is not acceptable if one wants to be taken seriously as a historian. I suppose norms were different in 1934, but this would never pass muster nowadays.
If you want a breezy read and are not too concerned about accuracy or objectivity, this book is an easy
introduction to the topic; if you want something more substantial, look elsewhere.
This writer definitely has his favourites: Suchet and Davout - hard to argue with him there -, Lannes; Masséna and Murat to some extent; but there is hardly one marshal toward whom he doesn't direct some degree of contempt. He seems to admire Marmont's many talents, but along with many other writers he blackens him because of his treason in 1814 (other historians dispute whether his troops surrendered to the enemy ahead of Marmont's orders). He reserves particular contempt for Victor and, surprisingly, for poor Bessières, who is usually the object historians' respect at the very least.
This was an interesting read, but too often disappointing. Considering there were 26 marshals, 297 pages is very short for such a vast topic. The index is perfunctory; many individuals mentioned in the text do not appear in it, and of those who do, not every instance of their being mentioned in the text makes it to the index.
Most frustrating is the absence of a bibliography. For example, where did the author discover that Davout was mad for waltzing? I would have liked to know, as this seems so much at odds with his character. But the author chooses to state his distrust of bibliographies, meaning other authors bibliographies, instead airily informing us that he will "confine" himself "to the simple statement that every single detail of this book has been taken from one or other work of history, reference reminiscence or biography". It is not even possible, from this statement, to know whether the author could read French; if he could not, one would have to assume that all his research material came from translated sources, necessarily much smaller in number than original source material. In any case, it is not acceptable if one wants to be taken seriously as a historian. I suppose norms were different in 1934, but this would never pass muster nowadays.
If you want a breezy read and are not too concerned about accuracy or objectivity, this book is an easy
introduction to the topic; if you want something more substantial, look elsewhere.
November 4, 2022
PopKulturowy Kociołek:
Książka to pozycja znacząco odbiegająca swoją strukturą od typowej pozycji historycznej. Autorem tego dzieła jest bowiem szkocki pisarz Archibald Gordon Macdonell. Członek londyńskiego Sherlock Holmes Society i twórca specjalizujący się w powieściach satyrycznych i kryminałach. Prywatnie był on jednak wielkim pasjonatem historii (z naciskiem na czasy Napoleona). Zwieńczeniem jego wieloletnich badań i zgłębiania tematu Napoleona było napisanie recenzowanej książki. Pozycji, która na przestrzeni kolejnych kilkudziesięciu lat urosła do miana ”wybitnej” i takiej, po którą powinien sięgnąć każdy pasjonat czasów Cesarza Francuzów.
Sięgając po książkę, w jej wnętrzu znajdziemy szczegółowy i mocno wciągający obraz Napoleona i jego żołnierzy. Dokładniej rzecz uściślając (jak wskazuje sam tytuł) jego marszałków, dzięki którym osiągał on kolejne spektakularne militarne zwycięstwa, tym samym budując swoją legendę. Tak jak zostało to już wspomniane Macdonell, nie był historykiem, jego dzieło nie nosi więc okowów typowej książki naukowej.
Twórca korzysta tu ze swojego doświadczenia dziennikarsko/pisarskiego, tworząc książkę, którą czyta się z niekłamaną przyjemnością i zaskakująco wielką lekkością. Jest to więc jedna z najbardziej „powieściowych” książek historycznych, jakie można znaleźć na naszym rynku, które obok czystej „rozrywki” dostarczają odbiorcy również masę wiedzy.
Dużym plusem recenzowanej publikacji jest również fakt, że autor nie kreśli laurki Napoleonowi (jak robią to niektórzy inni twórcy). Dostrzega on jego zalety, talenty wojskowe i niezwykłą umiejętność kierowania wybitnymi jednostkami. Nie boi się jednak przy tym wytknąć mu wiele błędów, jego wyniszczającej megalomanii, próżności czy nadmiernej ambicji.
Jeśli chodzi o merytoryczną stronę książki, to nie można publikacji niczego poważnego zarzucić. Treść pomimo wielu lat na karku nadal jest bardzo aktualna. Nie brakuje tu jednak pewnej dawki literackiego dramatyzmu czy małych upiększeń (nie samej historii). Miało i ma to za zadanie ułatwić odbiór zawartości, jednak purytańscy miłośnicy historii mogą na te elementy trochę marudzić.
https://gameplay.pl/news.asp?ID=144272
Książka to pozycja znacząco odbiegająca swoją strukturą od typowej pozycji historycznej. Autorem tego dzieła jest bowiem szkocki pisarz Archibald Gordon Macdonell. Członek londyńskiego Sherlock Holmes Society i twórca specjalizujący się w powieściach satyrycznych i kryminałach. Prywatnie był on jednak wielkim pasjonatem historii (z naciskiem na czasy Napoleona). Zwieńczeniem jego wieloletnich badań i zgłębiania tematu Napoleona było napisanie recenzowanej książki. Pozycji, która na przestrzeni kolejnych kilkudziesięciu lat urosła do miana ”wybitnej” i takiej, po którą powinien sięgnąć każdy pasjonat czasów Cesarza Francuzów.
Sięgając po książkę, w jej wnętrzu znajdziemy szczegółowy i mocno wciągający obraz Napoleona i jego żołnierzy. Dokładniej rzecz uściślając (jak wskazuje sam tytuł) jego marszałków, dzięki którym osiągał on kolejne spektakularne militarne zwycięstwa, tym samym budując swoją legendę. Tak jak zostało to już wspomniane Macdonell, nie był historykiem, jego dzieło nie nosi więc okowów typowej książki naukowej.
Twórca korzysta tu ze swojego doświadczenia dziennikarsko/pisarskiego, tworząc książkę, którą czyta się z niekłamaną przyjemnością i zaskakująco wielką lekkością. Jest to więc jedna z najbardziej „powieściowych” książek historycznych, jakie można znaleźć na naszym rynku, które obok czystej „rozrywki” dostarczają odbiorcy również masę wiedzy.
Dużym plusem recenzowanej publikacji jest również fakt, że autor nie kreśli laurki Napoleonowi (jak robią to niektórzy inni twórcy). Dostrzega on jego zalety, talenty wojskowe i niezwykłą umiejętność kierowania wybitnymi jednostkami. Nie boi się jednak przy tym wytknąć mu wiele błędów, jego wyniszczającej megalomanii, próżności czy nadmiernej ambicji.
Jeśli chodzi o merytoryczną stronę książki, to nie można publikacji niczego poważnego zarzucić. Treść pomimo wielu lat na karku nadal jest bardzo aktualna. Nie brakuje tu jednak pewnej dawki literackiego dramatyzmu czy małych upiększeń (nie samej historii). Miało i ma to za zadanie ułatwić odbiór zawartości, jednak purytańscy miłośnicy historii mogą na te elementy trochę marudzić.
https://gameplay.pl/news.asp?ID=144272
September 11, 2020
Let's start with what this book isn't. It's not a military history, it's not a political history of the Napoleonic Era, and it's not a biography or even a collection of biographies. The book is about Napoleion's Marshals, their fundamental qualities, and their interactions with each other and Napoleon himself.
What this book lacks are maps, biographical information on the Marshals (other than a superficial overview), and context. Mr. Macdonell leaps write in, assuming that the reader knows quite a bit about the French Revolution, Napoleon, and his battles.
That said, this was a thoroughly entertaining book to read. Not my usual fare for sure, but the author's quippy style and clear love of the topic at hand, made it entertaining. If the book had been any longer, it might have grated a little, but as it was, it made for a moderately informative and fun read.
It's a solid 3 stars, but I would strongly suggest reading another book either about Napoleon or the Napoleonic Era before you read this one. Otherwise you might become lost in the author's assumption that you love and know as much about this era as he clearly does (did?).
What this book lacks are maps, biographical information on the Marshals (other than a superficial overview), and context. Mr. Macdonell leaps write in, assuming that the reader knows quite a bit about the French Revolution, Napoleon, and his battles.
That said, this was a thoroughly entertaining book to read. Not my usual fare for sure, but the author's quippy style and clear love of the topic at hand, made it entertaining. If the book had been any longer, it might have grated a little, but as it was, it made for a moderately informative and fun read.
It's a solid 3 stars, but I would strongly suggest reading another book either about Napoleon or the Napoleonic Era before you read this one. Otherwise you might become lost in the author's assumption that you love and know as much about this era as he clearly does (did?).
April 18, 2019
An essential postion in case of character, biography and of course fanatasy of "The Great Marshalls". Macdonell perfectly explains the politics, strategies and fall of Napoleon's Empire. I reccomend to read for every fan of this era.
April 30, 2025
Great basic primer
If you are looking for an interesting primer on the Marshals, them this is it. No one is spared from criticism. A thoughtful narrative describes backgrounds, personalities, and fueds.
If you are looking for an interesting primer on the Marshals, them this is it. No one is spared from criticism. A thoughtful narrative describes backgrounds, personalities, and fueds.
September 30, 2019
Yepp, a good read. Probably 4.5 out of 5.
September 4, 2025
incredibly well written, surprisingly humorous at times, and also poignant in others. it was truly an incredible group of individuals who together shaped the destinies of Europe for over a decade.
October 3, 2025
Used this book as a placeholder for a book that's not on here so idk how well this book is but my book was amazing 😂
November 6, 2025
Doskonałe przedstawienie działań marszałków Napoleońskich podczas wojen i poza polem walki. Autor opisuje wojny napoleońskie w taki sposób, że aż poczułem sentyment kończąc książkę.
August 27, 2020
Fantastic book with unique writing style for a history text.
I cannot stress how much I enjoy the author's writing style. Short chapters, thoughts separated perfectly, informative and humorous. Napoleon and his marshals keeps the reader engaged and spells out that important piece of French-European history quite nicely.
I cannot stress how much I enjoy the author's writing style. Short chapters, thoughts separated perfectly, informative and humorous. Napoleon and his marshals keeps the reader engaged and spells out that important piece of French-European history quite nicely.
April 12, 2025
Great book, had everything I could want from a book on the Marshals of the First French Empire.
May 8, 2022
Thoroughly entertaining
I enjoyed this book very much. I am not well-versed enough in Napoleonic history to attest to the veracity of Macdonell's judgements and I suspect that some of his assertions may well be challenged by those who are, but this book was a very good read. Even I was a little disturbed that the writer blamed Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo entirely on Ney, Soult and Grouchy...
The writer really brings these old heroes of The Empire to life describing their rivalries, their strengths and, especially their weaknesses in a vivid and amusing way. The last chapter, which deals with the fate of the surviving Marshals, was very moving, as was the death of "The bravest of the brave", Michel Ney.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the lives of important historical figures.
I enjoyed this book very much. I am not well-versed enough in Napoleonic history to attest to the veracity of Macdonell's judgements and I suspect that some of his assertions may well be challenged by those who are, but this book was a very good read. Even I was a little disturbed that the writer blamed Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo entirely on Ney, Soult and Grouchy...
The writer really brings these old heroes of The Empire to life describing their rivalries, their strengths and, especially their weaknesses in a vivid and amusing way. The last chapter, which deals with the fate of the surviving Marshals, was very moving, as was the death of "The bravest of the brave", Michel Ney.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the lives of important historical figures.
February 13, 2022
Good introduction to the marshals
I read the hard copy about 20 years ago. THAT is still sitting on the shelf in my old room at my parents' house. When the Kindle version was offered at just $0.99, I bought it. Through this book, I decided that I needed to read more biographies on just one Marshal at a time if I wanted to learn more about the Napoleonic War. Thus, I bought one on Davout and later on Ney. I visited their tombs in Paris.
Perhaps the greatest miscarriage of justice in France was making Ney the scapegoat after Waterloo. The second would be the Dreyfus affair in 1905. That one is a different story in a different era with different characters and standards. There really is nothing redeeming in the French military aristocracy under the Bourbons and the Orleans dynasties from 1789 onwards. Meritocracy always trumps bad aristocracy.
I read the hard copy about 20 years ago. THAT is still sitting on the shelf in my old room at my parents' house. When the Kindle version was offered at just $0.99, I bought it. Through this book, I decided that I needed to read more biographies on just one Marshal at a time if I wanted to learn more about the Napoleonic War. Thus, I bought one on Davout and later on Ney. I visited their tombs in Paris.
Perhaps the greatest miscarriage of justice in France was making Ney the scapegoat after Waterloo. The second would be the Dreyfus affair in 1905. That one is a different story in a different era with different characters and standards. There really is nothing redeeming in the French military aristocracy under the Bourbons and the Orleans dynasties from 1789 onwards. Meritocracy always trumps bad aristocracy.
July 26, 2016
In our country ... every people said when giving example about Time like that " napoleon lose the Waterloo because of does not have time to counter attack to England and napoleon pray to the god to give the more time...", yep this is word of mouth ... you will see the true in this book how France and Napoleon won the battle and how they lose in this book ...
October 18, 2008
A good, brief review of the most famous of Napoleon's generals. The excellent Davout, the flamboyant Murat, the brave Lannes, the doltish Ney, the annoying Bernadotte and many others all get their 15 minutes of new fame here. A good place to start if you are interested in the Napoleonic wars.
August 4, 2011
A wonderfully readable piece of historical work!
September 12, 2015
A wonderful account of the lives and careers of a disparate but gifted band of men that made Europe quake..
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