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Campaign Chronicles
Napoleon's Polish Gamble: Eylau and Friedland 1807
Napoleon's 1807 campaign against the Russians came close to being his first defeat. At Eylau the Emperor was outnumbered by the army of the Russian commander Bennigsen, yet he accepted battle. His reputation was saved by the flamboyant Murat, who led one of the greatest cavalry charges in history.
Christopher Summerville's gripping account of this bitterly fought clash and of Napoleon's subsequent triumph at Friedland is the first extensive study of the campaign to be published for a century.
The story is told in the concise, clear Campaign Chronicles format which records the action in vivid detail, day by day, hour by hour. Included are full orders of battle showing the chain of command and the fighting capabilities of the opposing armies.
Christopher Summerville's gripping account of this bitterly fought clash and of Napoleon's subsequent triumph at Friedland is the first extensive study of the campaign to be published for a century.
The story is told in the concise, clear Campaign Chronicles format which records the action in vivid detail, day by day, hour by hour. Included are full orders of battle showing the chain of command and the fighting capabilities of the opposing armies.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 10, 2021
May, 1807, Napoleon scribblings on a draft statement: "Do not mention Polish independence, and suppress everything tending to show the emperor as the liberator of Poland, seeing that he has never explained himself of that subject.."
This book ends with that statement. The Polish question meant so much to so many, and yet it seemed to be little more than a game to Napoleon in his efforts to conquer Europe and defeat his arch-enemy, Britain. This book primarily focuses on two battles in Poland in 1807. The first, Eylau, was a bloody confrontation in horrible weather, between Russia and France, which did not settle the question between the two, resulting in the battle of Friedland in June of 1807. This battle brought Napoleon the victory he had been looking for, and a welcome peace at Tilsit. Unfortunately, it was not a lasting peace because Pandora's Box would soon present itself with all of the consquences that years of war could bring.
This book is a fast read and describes the two battles and their participants adequately. The maps could use improvement, but there are some good drawings. It is a useful, basic book about the Polish Gamble, but nothing extraordinary.
It does have a quote that comes from Napoleon at St. Helena about his regrets: "I committed three great political faults: I ought to have made peace with England in abandoning Spain: I ought to have restored the kingdom of Poland, and not to have gone to Moscow..." Alas, the lessons were learned too late.
This book ends with that statement. The Polish question meant so much to so many, and yet it seemed to be little more than a game to Napoleon in his efforts to conquer Europe and defeat his arch-enemy, Britain. This book primarily focuses on two battles in Poland in 1807. The first, Eylau, was a bloody confrontation in horrible weather, between Russia and France, which did not settle the question between the two, resulting in the battle of Friedland in June of 1807. This battle brought Napoleon the victory he had been looking for, and a welcome peace at Tilsit. Unfortunately, it was not a lasting peace because Pandora's Box would soon present itself with all of the consquences that years of war could bring.
This book is a fast read and describes the two battles and their participants adequately. The maps could use improvement, but there are some good drawings. It is a useful, basic book about the Polish Gamble, but nothing extraordinary.
It does have a quote that comes from Napoleon at St. Helena about his regrets: "I committed three great political faults: I ought to have made peace with England in abandoning Spain: I ought to have restored the kingdom of Poland, and not to have gone to Moscow..." Alas, the lessons were learned too late.
January 8, 2022
A great resource on the military aspects of Napoleon’s campaign in the Polish lands, however the book totally discards the importance of the Marie Waleska liaison. This was important if for no other reason than it convinced The Emperor that he was able to sire a son, and lead to his divorcing Josephine.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews