The Naval War of 1812 (Modern Library War)

Book Description

Published when Theodore Roosevelt was only twenty-three years old, The Naval War of 1812 was immediately hailed as a literary and scholarly triumph, and it is still considered the definitive book on the subject. It caused considerable controversy for its bold refutation of earlier accounts of the war, but its brilliant analysis and balanced tone left critics floundering, changed the course of U.S. military history by renewing interest in our obsolete forces, and set the young author and political hopeful on a path to greatness. Roosevelt's inimitable style and robust narrative make The Naval War of 1812 enthralling, illuminating, and utterly essential to every armchair historian.

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Customer Reviews:

Better insight into TR than history of 1812.......2006-06-05

I read this book to try and kill two birds with one stone - get a better feel for one of my favorite Americans and learn about the war of 1812. Unfortunately Roosevelt focuses on the naval actions without giving much context or background. He also assumes you will know a lot of the nautical terms he uses and I did not. Roosevelt is fixated with refuting William James' "Naval History of Great Britain" at every turn, which got tiring; even if it did provide a lot of insight into how obsessive the man was and how relentlessly he attacked those obsessions.

Roosevelt is at his best when he gets into the heroism of battle, often complementing the British as a way to further pump up the Americans. The payoff for me was the last chapter on the battle of New Orleans, which is not primarily naval, and was written a couple of years after the rest of the book. Here you get his red-blooded opinions on Jefferson, Jackson, and slavery, along with a bully battle narrative.

Wonderful account of the naval war of 1812.......2004-12-21

I must admit that after seeing that this book was written well over a century ago, I was a bit hesitant, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this work.

Theodore Roosevelt, the future president, at the age of 23 has written a very impartial(by standards of the day)study of the young US Navy in the War of 1812. Not a dry history, but a very readable and enjoyable book. Prior works on the War of 1812 are very biased whether it was written by British or American authors. Roosevelt does not fail to excite when it comes to the ship to ship duels, where more often than not, the US Navy comes out on top.

However, their are some problems. Roosevelt is very critical of the famous William James account of the conflict. He cites many errors and biases, with justification. However, Roosevelt often digresses too much in this regard, or I would have given this work 5 stars. Regardless, this book was a pleasure to read and a must have for the Patrick O'Brian fans out there(Like me!)

Three Cheers for America!.......2000-10-09

In a time when patriotism is passe, reading this book can redden the stuff in any American's veins. Our Navy's often-victorious battles against a superb and numerically superior foe ranks with the Athenian victory at Marathon in the annals of honor. Roosevelt was a natural storyteller and a first-rate scholar. Like JFK two generations later ("Why England Slept") this work was the product of a young twentysomething Harvard grad (JFK was actually a senior) that commanded serious attention nationally, and presaged a later rise to the summit of public life. Roosevelt's research is exhaustive, but not tedious, thanks to a vigorous prose style that carries the reader through a mass of detail without losing sail. The digression on which nationalities make the best seafarers would no doubt be considered un-PC today, but, as a general characterization of national characteristics, they arguably hold true. The author's final chapter, on the Battle of New Orleans, forshadows future policy, in that his criticism of the unreliability of the militia were embodied in the reforms that fully Federalized the National Guard, as the Dick Act of 1903. (Doubtless, his Spanish-American War experiences contributed to his desire to supplant the 1793 Militia Act, as well.) This book rests on my shelf, next to Mahan's "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History," and O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin novels - as is fitting for an historical work written in the spirit of high adventure and studded with minute detail. -Lloyd A. Conway

Roosevelt's inimitable style.......1999-12-19

This very well-written account, surprising from a youth of only 23, gives balanced portrayals of most of the major sea battles between the fledgling American navy, and the Lord of the Seas, Great Britain. In it, Roosevelt backs up his praise of American maritime ingenuity and the seaworthiness and discipline of its sailors with proofs, citations and cautious but sound reasoning. In each, diagrams of the engagements are provided, as well as other documented statistics, without overloading the reader with details, yet there are plenty of those. Roosevelt describes the handling of each ship and the actions of its captains with minute detail, without being, to the layman, purely technical. Although Roosevelt beats the patriotic drum, he also swings a corrective switch, against our commanders and our partisan historians, when their actions are faulty and objectionable -- a fact which underscores his fairmindedness and the authenticity of his rendering.

Interesting But Tedious.......1999-11-25

Knowing that this book was written by Theodore Roosevelt makes it an important book regardless of the actual text. TR's influence on the strategic importance of seapower can be traced back to his feelings as a young author. The book itself was tedious and not very inspiring. It's interesting to glimpse the feelings of the young, strong, post-Civil War American writing the book. As far as a history of the War of 1812, you can do much better elsewhere.

Average customer rating:

A must-read book for teachers!

The Star Spangled Banner
Amy Winstead
Manufacturer: Ideals Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0824954629

Book Description

First time author Amy Winstead skillfully weaves a historically accurate, yet fictional, account of Francis Scott Key and the British bombarding of Fort McHenry. The story is told from the perspective of a young boy and his brother who accidentally become ensnared in the intrigue of the historic night and culminates in the writing of our national anthem. Dramatic and rich watercolor illustrations, accurate to the smallest detail, bring the action to life.

Customer Reviews:

A must-read book for teachers!.......2004-01-02

If you haven't bought this book yet, you're missing a wonderful chance to help your children understand part of our nation's history. While beautifully illustrated, the story is what Amy's book is all about.

It can be difficult to locate history books which appeal to children. Amy has written one that will create among children an interest in learning about an important chapter in our country's history.

Product Description

Hailed for his decisive victory over a Royal Navy squadron on Lake Erie in September 1813 and best known for his after-action report proclamation We have met the enemy and they are ours, Oliver Hazard Perry was one the early U.S. Navy s most famous heroes. In this modern, scholarly reassessment of the man and his career, Professor David Skaggs emphasizes Perry s place in naval history as an embodiment of the code of honor, an exemplar of combat courage, and a symbol of patriotism to his fellow officers and the American public. It is the first biography of Perry to be published in more than a quarter of a century and the first to offer an even-handed analysis of his career.

After completing a thorough examination of primary sources, Skaggs traces Perry s development from a midshipman to commodore where he personified the best in seamanship, calmness in times of stress, and diplomatic skills. But this work is not a hagiographic treatment, for it offers a candid analysis of Perry s character flaws, particularly his short temper and his sometimes ineffective command and control procedures during the battle of Lake Erie. Skaggs also explains how Perry s short but dramatic naval career epitomized the emerging naval professionalism of the young republic, and he demonstrates how the Hero of Lake Erie fits into the most recent scholarship concerning the role of post-revolutionary generation in the development of American national identity. Finally, Skaggs explores in greater detail than anyone before the controversy over the conduct of his Lake Erie second, Jesse Duncan Elliott, that raged on for over a quarter century after Perry s death in 1819.

Co-winner of the North American Society for Oceanic History's 2007 John Lyman Book Award for Biography and Autobiography

The Flag, the Poet and the Song: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

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The Defence of Fort McHenry
Little substance
Play Ball
Patriotic read
Under the Red, White, & Blue

The Flag, the Poet and the Song: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner
Irvin Molotsky
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

War of 1812 | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0525946004
Release Date: 2001-05-31

Book Description

Every American knows "The Star-Spangled Banner," even if we can't sing it to save our lives. But how many people know what really happened through the perilous night that led a Washington lawyer to pen his historic ode?

Like the subjects of Cod or Longitude, our national anthem is something taken for granted. But it was not always so. In this remarkable, flawlessly researched book, New York Times reporter Irvin Molotsky tells the story behind the story and, in the process, reveals an important piece of our country's heritage. Molotsky brings both legendary and unknown events and figures to vivid life-from the flag's seamstress to the military heroes of the War of 1812. In witty, accessible language, he charts the little-known events leading up to the war, and the far-reaching impact this obscure conflict has had on our national psyche. The Flag, the Poet, and the Song also uncovers the facts and fallacies surrounding the flag and the song, from the tremendous size of the flag to why we continue trying to sing our anthem to this day.

Brimming with fascinating Americana, The Flag, the Poet, and the Song is a book that will be read and reread, whether you're a lover of history, a patriot, or just waiting for the umpire to say "play ball!"

Customer Reviews:

The Defence of Fort McHenry.......2006-05-26

This book began as a newspaper article on the conservation of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key during September 13-14, 1814. Chapter 1 tells how it is song before every baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer game in the United States. The television networks use that time for commercials. The wide range of the anthem is difficult for the average person. Robert Merrill advocates playing it more briskly, as a march (p.11). The huge flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 was made by Mary Young Pickersgill. Major Armistead wanted a flag so large the enemy could see it from a distance. The flag over Fort McHenry had 15 stars and 15 stripes, the standard from 1794 to 1818 (p.77). It was 30 feet high and 42 feet long, and weighed 80 pounds.

Chapter 3 explains "The Second War of Independence". One item was the impressment of British subjects. These seamen worked for higher wages aboard American ships. Many were called deserters but they had been abducted by impressment gangs. The Embargo was tried and failed. The British practice of seizing crewmen from ships provoked a declaration of war in June 1812. There were other causes (pp.39-42). The canceling of the British Orders in Council came after the war was declared. America became an ally of Napoleon. The British rejected the American right of citizenship to British subjects (Chapter 4). General William Hull, the governor of Michigan Territory, surrendered Detroit (pp.47-48). The attack on Canada ended in a retreat. The attack on York (Toronto) and its burning led to the burning of Washington in retaliation (p.50). After the defeat of Napoleon the British now concentrated on the United States, raiding Maryland and Virginia, Washington DC was lightly guarded as it was not much of a military target (p.54). The enemy of the British was the August heat (dehydration).

Baltimore in 1814 was the third largest city, a center of shipping, commerce, industry, and shipbuilding. The British approached by sea. Dr. William Beanes was arrested by the British (p.71). Richard West, a patient, got lawyer Francis Scott Key to free Beanes; he was accompanied by Colonel John S. Skinner, an exchanged prisoner of war. This flag did not fly over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment because of the rain; a smaller storm flag was used (p.90). At dawn the much larger flag was run up the flagpole. Key's poem was printed by his brother-in-law Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, the second-in-command at Fort McHenry; it quickly caught popular favor (p.93). Ferdinand Durang, a musician, adapted the words to the old tune "Anacreon in Heaven". It quickly gained a national reputation throughout the country. The next week Key changed its name to "The Star-Spangled Banner". Francis Scott Key was an important person in his day, but his only moment of fame was his poem (p.97).

The remaining chapters cover other topics. Chapter 7 tells about the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war. It was a victory for America because it united the nation (p.131). Britain never again interfered with American shipping. The pause of commerce with Europe made industry flourish in America. The flag did not enjoy its status until the Civil War (p.134). Chapter 8 has the history of the flag and the song. During the Civil War Fort McHenry was a prison; one prisoner was the grandson of Francis Scott Key (p.147). Chapter 9 gives the history of the National Anthem. It was adopted by the Army and Navy in the 1890s. The song was used in Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' in 1904. It became official in March 3, 1931 (p.151). It supplanted the older song "Yankee Doodle" (more easily sung by the people).

Little substance.......2005-11-30

The information presented in Mr. Molotsky's book would boil down to a good Smithsonian or National Geographic article, but feels padded out at 240 pages. In fact, the book had its origins as a NY Times article on the restoration of the flag that flew at Ft McHenry.

The author repeatedly goes over the same ground, labors certain points while skimming over other seemingly crucial information, quotes lengthy excerpts, and goes off on tangents that seem to have nothing to do with the central premise.

Still, I learned a thing or two about a glossed-over chapter in American history. It may whet your appetite for more in depth coverage of the subject.

Play Ball.......2002-03-14

What starts out as a witty account of the origins of "The Star Spangled Banner" and the text to it, continues into repetitions and ends with endless reprints of Supreme Court decisions and congressional hearings. Points go to the author for reminding us of the half-forgotten war of 1812 and for giving us a good overview. Pity he could not stop in time.

Patriotic read.......2002-02-25

Just to preface the review: I was sitting in a restaurant reading this book when the waitress asked me what I was reading. I explained the book, and she said who was on the cover. I said it was a picture of Francis Scott Key. She said, "Oh, the man they named the Florida Keys after."

For those Americans who don't know their history, particularly the often untold truths of the War of 1812 and the contentiousness over our national anthem, this book is a perfect place to start. It's short, informational and at times very humorous. Molotsky brings the reader history and current debate on topics such as flag burning and how to preserve that wonderful flag that flew over Fort McHenry.

I learned some new things in this book, and if the response from the waitress is any indication, this country is in need of a few more history lessons. This a short read but the value cannot be underscored.

Under the Red, White, & Blue.......2001-09-10

As an author of a novel in its initial release that addresses, among other themes, the essence of what makes an American an American, I genuinely enjoyed Irvin Molotsky's THE FLAG, THE POET, & THE SONG. Mr. Molotsky, a semi-retired newspaperman, spins a wonderful tale about the history of our national anthem. This book is light. It is a popular history. It is amusing, yet it is most enlightening. Mr. Molotsky presents a history of the War of 1812, which led directly to Francis Scott Key's composing of the poem that became the song. He discusses the American invasion of Canada (yes, we did invade Canada) and the burning of Toronto (then York) that led to the British infamous torching of Washington (I bet that was in your history books). He also paints a portrait of Francis Scott Key (a distant relative of F. Scott Fitzgerald whose masterpiece THE GREAT GATSBY was briefly called UNDER THE RED, WHITE, & BLUE--which I used for the title of this review) who reluctantly joined the militia during the war. Mr. Molotsky additionally explains the compostion of the poem, its linkage to a British drinking song, and its evolution into the national anthem with the final two words "Play Ball!" THE FLAG, THE POET, & THE SONG is a informative book. It is well-written. I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating:

A well researched but badly written history
good info, lousy writing

The Battle for Baltimore: 1814
Joseph A. Whitehorne , and Carleton Jones
Manufacturer: Nautical & Aviation Publishing Company of Ame
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

War of 1812 | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1877853232

Customer Reviews:

A well researched but badly written history.......2004-03-10

I must echo the comments from the previous review of this book. Overall this book is well researched and gives a good overview of the politics and battles in the Cheaspeake Bay region during the War of 1812. The writing style and presentation is difficult to digest. To read a few pages of this book without growing weary is a serious accomplishment. The research seems to be original, however, and unique to this book. Bottom line, I would be hesitant to buy this book without making sure there we no better written and researched books about this specific topic.

good info, lousy writing.......1999-04-03

I bought this book to do some research for my own writing. While the historical information is interesting and accurate (as far as I know), the writing is awful. This book is absolutely teeming with typos and misused words. Unless "belligerant" has become a word while I wasn't looking, I don't think the book was even spellchecked! The grammar errors are constant enough that they really detracted from my enjoyment of the book. But the topic is pretty specialized, and this is the only book I've found that deals with it exclusively, so it's worth checking out if you need to know about this particular battle or about the politics and culture of Chesapeake Bay around the time of the War of 1812 (about which there are plenty of good details). I just hope the folks at the Nautical & Aviation Publishing Company have since hired a proofreader!

Sharpe's Sword (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #5)

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Magnificent episode in the Sharpe saga
A Great Series
My favorite so far....
Not bad but not my fave Sharpe novel
The best Sharpe novel

Sharpe's Sword (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #5)
Bernard Cornwell
Manufacturer: Penguin Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0140294333
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Book Description

Colonel Leroux is killing Britain's most valuable spies, and it's up to Richard Sharpe to stop him. Thrust into the unfamiliar world of political and military intrigue, Sharpe relentlessly pursues Leroux, determined to exact his revenge with the cold steel of his sword.

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An unfinished duel, a midnight murder, and the treachery of a beautiful prostitute lead to the imprisonment of Sharpe. Caught in a web of political intrigue for which his military experience has left him fatally unprepared, Sharpe becomes a fugitive--a man hunted by both ally and enemy alike.

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent episode in the Sharpe saga.......2007-04-05

Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series is one of the most beloved collective works in the sub-genre of historical fiction. Spanning over twenty novels (and counting!), Cornwell has treated his readers with thrilling battlefield and bedroom exploits from Flanders to India to Spain and France. While the novels have a definitive formula, they never grow stale.

"Sharpe's Sword" is among the best of the Sharpe novels. Sharpe is a captain of the 95th Rifles, attached to the South Essex regiment as a light company. As fans of the series know, Sharpe has made himself indispensable to the British army (including his patron, Lord Wellington) by being the most lethal rogue in an army full of cut-throats and vagabonds. But in "Sharpe's Sword," Cornwell has created a foe worthy of Sharpe - the French spy-hunter Leroux, a lethal aristocrat whose charge from Napoleon is to topple the British spy network.

Leroux is captured by Sharpe early in the novel, but takes advantage of a foolish British officer's notion of "parole" (in which a captured officer may keep his weapons and freedom if he gives his sworn statement that he will not try to escape). Acting quickly, Leroux murders his way back to freedom, but in doing so he earns Sharpe's undying hatred . . . and envy. Sharpe hates him for being a backstabbing liar, but Sharpe envies him because Leroux has the most magnificent sword Sharpe has ever seen, and Sharpe wants it.

And so Sharpe and Leroux are caught in a duel to the death while the French and British armies slug it out in the gorgeous city of Salamanca and also on the plains of Spain. "Sharpe's Sword" has it all - humor, romance, intrigue, friendship, betrayal, and battles. And what battles! Nobody writes a better battle scene than Bernard Cornwell, and he tops himself when describing a suicidal, insane cavalry charge by Wellington's German heavy cavalry against formed French squares. The reader is flung into the wild madness that is Napoleonic warfare, and it is a glorious madness indeed.

Well-researched and lovingly written, "Sharpe's Sword" exemplifies all that is good in the Sharpe series.

A Great Series.......2006-08-15

This is another entry on the Sharpe series. It is fun, entertaining and very readable. Cornwell's research is as excellent as usual. He takes some licenses for the shake of the story and continuity, but this is OK. Some people are outraged by the portrait of some of the real historical characters, but historical characters are rarely depicted accurately in historical fiction, so I think this can be forgiven. Besides, usually a more serious account of these characters is given at the end of the book on the Historical Note.

Many people insist in compare this series with Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander. I don't think this is fair for any of the series, they are different entities. What they have in common is that once you start you may get hooked and devour one book after another...

And in the literary world today that is a rare and marvelous thing.

My favorite so far...........2006-06-15

A friend referred to the Sharpe series as literary opium...he may be right. They are guilty pleasures, for sure....and I worry what will happen when I have read them all.

The thing is, drug or not, Cornwell is a wonderful writer. I laughed out loud a couple of times, was riveted by a love scene, and ran to the computer to look up the actual battle and scenes described. Great stuff.

And then I had the misfortune to read the new McMurtry novel....

Not bad but not my fave Sharpe novel.......2006-04-01

"Sharpe's Sword" is a decent entry into the Sharpe series, but I happen to tend to prefer the Sharpe adventures that are primarily military rather than the ones with espionage plots. And, for my taste, "Sharpe's Sword" is a bit heavy on the spy angle and a hair light on the battles. But the book's action scenes, while failing to rival those in, say, "Sharpe's Rifles," "Sharpe's Eagle" or "Sharpe's Company," are still pretty satisfying. "Sharpe's Sword" is far from the weakest of the generally very strong Sharpe series (of the ones that I've read so far, I'd say that "Sharpe's Prey" my least favorite), but it doesn't quite rank among the very best, either.

The best Sharpe novel.......2004-10-21

I've been reading through the entire series chronologically and up until now i've been hard pressed to pick a favorite. After reading Sharpe's Sword however i have a clear choice.

In Sharpe's Sword, Cornwell gives the reader his true best - putting together a plot so interesting that one can even claim that in this novel it trumps his ability at "battlefield writing" where i believe Cornwell is the best living author- and that's saying something.

If you want a good introduction to cornwell's writing ability and you don't mind starting most of the way through a series i highly recommend Sharpe's Sword.

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'Never Despair while Brave Men Remain with the Colors'
A Well Written Account with Fresh Insight
Totally X-Rated
Napoleon's fatal march
dont believe the bad press, read this book

Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March
Adam Zamoyski
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0061075582
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Book Description

Napoleon's invasion of Russia and his ensuing terrible retreat from Moscow played out as military epic and human tragedy on a colossal scale -- history's first example of total war. The story begins in 1811, when Napoleon dominated nearly all of Europe, succeeding in his aim to reign over the civilized world like a modern-day Charlemagne. Part of his bid for supremacy involved destroying Britain through a continental blockade, but the plan was stymied when Russia's Tsar Alexander refused to comply. So he set out to teach the Tsar a lesson by intimidation and force. What followed was a deadly battle that would change the fate of modern Europe.

By invading Russia in 1812, Napoleon was upping the ante as never before. Once he sent his vast army eastward, there was no turning back: he was sucked farther and farther into the one territory he could not conquer. Trudging through a brutal climate in hostile lands, his men marched on toward distant Moscow. But this only galvanized the Russians, who finally made a stand at the gates of the city. The ensuing outbreak was a slaughter the likes of which would not be seen again until the first day of the Somme more than a century later.

What remained of Napoleon's army now had to endure a miserable retreat across the wintry wastes of Russia, while his enemies aligned against him. This turned out to be a momentous turning point: not only the beginning of the end for Napoleon's empire, but the rise of Russia's influence in world affairs. It also gave birth to Napoleon's superhuman legend -- the myth of greatness in failure that would inspire the Romantic poets as well as future leaders to defy fate as he had done.

In this gripping, authoritative account, Adam Zamoyski has drawn on the latest Russian research, as well as a vast pool of firsthand accounts in French, Russian, German, Polish, and Italian, to paint a vivid picture of the experiences of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict. He shows how the relationship between Napoleon and Tsar Alexander came to distort their alliance and bring about a war that neither man wanted. Dramatic, insightful, and enormously absorbing, Moscow 1812 is a masterful work of history.

Customer Reviews:

'Never Despair while Brave Men Remain with the Colors'.......2007-07-24

The Russian campaign is definitely the most difficult to write about. In this volume, the author presents a highly readable account of that great campaign that is an valuable addition to the literature of the campaign, but it isn't a stand-alone account of the Russian campaign, and it isn't without its flaws.

Overall, the author has demonstrated a more-than-adequate grasp of the poltical problems facing the belligerents in 1812. The causes of the war are evenly handled, and the sole blame is not laid at the door of the French, or at Napoleon's. That being said, the author has not painted an accurate picture of either Napoleon or Alexander. Napoleon's character is relegated to the 'traditional' view of him being driven 'by a lust for power and domination over others' as well, among other things 'having no sense of justice' (which is a gratuitous and ludicrous statement, Napoleon formulating and giving France and the Empire the Code Napoleon among other civil reforms). It is only recently that an accurate picture of Napoleon's character has been developed by historians and it is a shame that work wasn't taken advantage of here.

On the other hand it appears that Alexander is given the benefit of the doubt at almost every turn, even though he was a particide, an Asian autocrat, who wielded his unquestioned power in Russia, was a treacherous ally, and one who refused to support the alliance he made with Napoleon in 1807. He was slippery, double-dealing, and a coward who deftly used intrigue, deception, and treason to his benefit. He tried to be a soldier, and was not, interfering rather than helping his generals in the field. His chosen advisors, his 'aides-de-camp' were carpet knights and not soldiers, who helped with this interference. He fought the Turks and the Swedes, as well as the French, and it is probably that his lauded stance of not negotiating with Napoleon in 1812 until there were no French on Russian soil was because he feared being assassinated by those same nobles that murdered his father.

There are other errors in the book. The author labels Tilsit a triumph for the Tsar, whcih is a fantastically inaccurate statement; states that the battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809 were 'twin battles' when they were not (it was one action, which the Austrians won-the first battlefield victory over Napoleon since 1796-it is known as Aspern to the Austrians and Essling to the French, hence the hyphenated use of both names by many historians); and War and Peace is mentioned as a quasi-reference for the period, which is a gross error.

The author inaccurately states that the Russian artillery arm was probably the best in the world in 1812, which cannot be supported by any substantive reference. The French artillery arm had been recognized as Europe's best since 1789 and it had not been eclipsed by any other European artillery system since. The Austrian and British artillery arms were also superior to the Russian artillery. The Russian artillery officers were poorly trained and educated, and the 'new' equipment of the 1805 System were copies of Prussian and Austrian material from the 1740s and 1750s. Further, the manner in which Russian artillery was commanded and employed was inferior to French artillery doctrine and this was remarked upon by various Russian artillerymen, notably Yermelov, Sievers, and Kutusaiv.

The author also stated that the French transport corps was 'le train.' Actually, there were at least two different types of 'train' in the French service. The train des equipages (supply train) is the organization to which he is referring. There was also a train d'artillerie which was responsible for hauling the artillery equipment. there was also a smaller engineer train to boot.

While some of the military sections of the book are substandard and carelessly done, the overall impact of the volume is a credit to the author. While many other authors and historians have misinterpreted or left out key factors of the campaign, this author does not. He correctly labels the Russian generals and high command for what it is-in short a mess. Further, the Battle of the Berezina is analysed correctly in that it was a decisive victory for the French. Further, the crucial Battle of Maloyaroslavets is labeled a French victory. The issue with the most impact, however, is that the author correctly states the heavy losses the Russians incurred during the campaign which many overlook, focusing on the disaster that befell the Grande Armee. Russian losses, for the same causes, the cold and exposure, are clearly brought to the forefront of the narrative.

If used with caution in the areas outlined above this is an excellent narrative of the Russian campaign. It is highly recommended and should be on everyone's bookshelf who is interested in the Napoleonic period in general and the Russian campaign in particular. I am looking very much forward to the author's next effort.

A Well Written Account with Fresh Insight.......2007-07-17

The history of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 has been told many times before so readers might be tempted to shrug their shoulders at the sight of another book on this subject. Don't. Adam Zamoyski's Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March is a well-written and insightful look at the French march to and from Moscow. The value added component of this book derives from the author's research into post-Soviet archives which has yielded some fresh perspectives on Marshal Kutuzov, Tsar Alexander and the other Russian commanders, as well as some Italian and Polish first-person accounts that haven't made it into earlier works. As military history, Zamoyski does a good job putting the events together into a coherent pattern and there are plenty of sketch maps to support tactical descriptions, although strictly speaking the author does not delve into the level of military detail that one might find in other books, particularly about the Battle of Borodino. Overall, this is a fine work and I was impressed by the level of research that went into it and the author's ability to turn it into a page-turning and gripping account.

Moscow 1812 is divided into 25 chapters, which flow chronologically and each of which covers a thematically-driven slice of the campaign, such as Kutuzov's assumption of command. The volume includes a total of 23 sketch maps, a large number of illustrations, lengthy endnotes, a robust bibliography and an efficient index. The author writes this book for a general audience but with the assumption that even general readers will have some knowledge of this campaign, albeit based on sources such as Tolstoy's War and Peace. Zamoyski is also fairly even-handed in establishing his perspective, favoring neither the Napoleon-centric approach or a chauvinistic Russian defense of the Motherland. Instead, the reader is presented with a fairly objective campaign narrative, told partly through first-person accounts, with only the faintest hint of Greek Tragedy.

Unusually, Zamoyski sees the Russians as much to blame for the war as the French. While Napoleon incited Russia by the creation of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, the author notes that Tsar Alexander was clearly preparing for offensive action in conjunction with Prussia prior to the French invasion. Russian aggressiveness and a desire for revenge after the Treaty of Tilsit were major factors in the road to war. Throughout the campaign, Napoleon's Grande Armée had qualitative advantages that enabled its soldiers to persevere under the most adverse conditions. Yet French logistic planning was incredibly poor and collapsed almost immediately upon crossing the border. Other than possessing very good artillery and more secure logistics, the Russian army was outclassed by the French in almost every other category. Clearly the greatest French disadvantage - and one that is difficult for historians to explain - was that Napoleon entered Russia with only a very hazy plan of campaign to defeat the Russian border armies, but little thought beyond that.

Moscow 1812 is a far more frank and blunt account than most others on this subject, with the full misery of the soldier's conditions conveyed in their own words. Due to lack of water, one French soldier recounts drinking horse's urine out of ruts in the road. There are also very graphic descriptions of battle and non-battle conditions (e.g. frostbite) that gives the reader a much better sense of the hardships endured by the common soldier than is often the case. The author describes how, "some [soldiers] became so disoriented by the cold that they would walk drunkenly straight into a fire and stand in it with their bare feet..." There is also considerable swearing and soldier's language in this account, which is refreshingly honest compared to other more sanitized accounts. However, the author is not always adept at relaying the critical elements of tactical combat - in his account of Borodino for example, he fails to appreciate the Russian mistake in leaving so much of their artillery in reserve at the start. When the Russian artillery commander was killed early in the battle, most of his guns sat out the day unused. The author sees Borodino as a French victory with the Russian army rendered combat ineffective, whereas author historians tend to view it as the beginning of the unraveling of the Grande Armée due to debilitating losses.

The author also presents several non-standard perspectives on the campaign, beginning with his description of how Moscow was not totally destroyed by fire and that the French were able to salvage enough food and supplies to partly rebuild their strength - he writes that the Grande Armée was "in fine fettle" at the beginning of the retreat. Nor were all the French units unprepared for winter, since a few French and Polish units did prepare for winter operations and they came through the retreat much better than others. Italian troops also are singled out for their exceptional combat performance in Russia - particularly at the Battle of Maloyaroslavets - while German troops performed poorly.
Napoleon appears in poor form throughout much of this account, unable to fathom the Russian reason for continuing to fight or the danger posed by their climate to his army. Plagued by indecisiveness and periods of torpor, Napoleon seems to drift along to Moscow on inertia and hope, with only occasional bursts of energy displayed during moments of supreme crisis. Yet in the midst of one the greatest crises in military history - the retreat from Moscow - the French troops remained loyal to their emperor. The author notes that, "even when taken prisoner, the soldiers of the Grande Armée refused to say a word against Napoleon." As for `why' this catastrophe occurred, the author does not spend a great deal of effort seeking answers but points to miscalculation and hubris by Napoleon as the likely culprits.

Totally X-Rated.......2007-03-30

Adam Zamoyski truly brings to life the entire campaign of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. The style of writing is so captivating and truly X-Rated in many areas (so vivid and gruesome). Gives very good account of how Napoleon can amass so a huge army only to loose almost 90% of it to war, starvation, summer heat (at first) and to "General Frost" (at last)..... How could a man of Napoleon's talent succumb to so many bad decisions in war? Read on! Such a great read indeed!

Napoleon's fatal march.......2007-03-07

This is a thorough book about Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. The battles of Borodino and other battles are vividly described. Mr Zomoyski also excellently describes the horrible French retreat. It's worth reading!

dont believe the bad press, read this book.......2007-02-02

This is a wonderful book. Contrary to some of the other reviews, Zamoyski's scholarship is sound in every respect. Although this story had been told in English, French, German and Russian many times before, this synthesis adds value. Those who have read other accounts of this disastrous campaign are encouraged not to let their knowledge of the topic keep them from the new insights offered in this book.

Zamoyski does a masterful job of showing the reader how the myths of this campaign came to be--General Winter, the almost mystical celebration of the Russian Spirit, the hubris of Napoleon--and then provides rare insight into the rest of the story. Zamoyski relies on a broad array of previous scholarship, including extensive use of memoirs, as well as new sources. His account of the retreat is perhaps the best that exists in English today.

The collapse of the French army in this account is more the result of a complex of factors whose origin lay not in the brutal and bitter Russian Winter--but rather in serious military and logisitic miscaluculations by Napoleon prior to and during the campaign. In one sense, this campaign reflects Napoleon's generalship at its worst, and in a situation where he needed his best effort most. Nevertheless, from the first pages one feels that one is reading about a doomed army as a litany of errors and mistakes begin their dark parade toward Moscow and then back again.

This book is not for the squeamish. The horrors of the retreat are simply unimaginable. Recent archealogical evidence in Lithuania supports Zamoyski's speculation that the remains of the Grand Armee literally had a sort of group nervous breakdown around Vilna that ensured the death of many thousands who seem to have made it mirculously out of Russia...only to die in the first place they thought themselves at last safe from the cossacks and the winter. A great read and great prose, this book is recommended for the widest possible audience.

1812 THROUGH FIRE AND ICE WITH NAPOLEON: A French Officer's Memoir of the Campaign in Russia

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1812 THROUGH FIRE AND ICE WITH NAPOLEON: A French Officer's Memoir of the Campaign in Russia
Eugene Labaume
Manufacturer: Helion and Company Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1874622752

Book Description

This reprint of an important French narrative is sure to generate a considerable amount of interest, as Napoleon's epic 1812 Russian Campaign continues to fascinate and enthrall.

Out-of-print for 150 years, Labaume's text presents a superb evocation of the Grande Arme'e in 1812. We follow this French officer of engineers as he marches with Eugene de Beauharnais' IV Corps deeper and deeper into Russia, and experience the strange fascination this mysterious land held for Napoleon's soldiers. Battles follow, Labaume relating his experiences at the bloody Moskwa, or Borodino, in particular detail, before the army reaches Moscow.

Soon, events take a more unfortunate turn for the French, and Labaume begins his part in the disastrous Retreat from Moscow, recounting the appalling miseries endured by the soldiers, including the crossing of the Beresina. Somehow, Labaume survives to tell the tale - making his way back over the River Niemen to safety. Key FeaturesA vivid and fascinating personal account of one of the great campaigns in military history.

The author kept daily notes during the Retreat from Moscow by mixing gunpowder with snow to produce ink.

This reprint makes a very scarce work available again to a whole new readership, representing a major contribution to the library of Napoleonic literature.

"Arrived at the opposite bank, like ghosts returned from the infernal regions, we fearfully looked behind us, and beheld with horror the savage countries where we had suffered so much. No person would then easily believe that we had once regarded these climates with envy..." (Labaume commenting upon his safe return from Russia

The Biggest (And Best Flag That Ever Flew)

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The Biggest (And Best Flag That Ever Flew)
Rebecca Jones
Manufacturer: Tidewater Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0870334409

A History of the Peninsular War V5: October 1811 to August 31, 1812 Alencia,Cuidad Rodrigo,Badajoz,Salamanca,Madrid (History of the Peninsular War)

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The Turning Point of the Peninsular War
The Complete Story
The Complete History
The Turning Point of the Peninsular War
The Turning Point of the Peninsular War

A History of the Peninsular War V5: October 1811 to August 31, 1812 Alencia,Cuidad Rodrigo,Badajoz,Salamanca,Madrid (History of the Peninsular War)
Sir Charles Oman
Manufacturer: Greenhill Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1853676349

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During this period, the outcome of the war was effectively decided by Wellington's advance from Portugal into Spain. The operations that took place at this time included the French campaigns of late 1811, the Allied offensive, and Wellington's great victory at Salamanca. Other notable actions included that at Garcia Hernandez, and there were also smaller operations such as those on the east coast of Spain. Orders of battle, lists of strength and casualties, and an account of Wellington's intelligence officer and code-breaker Sir George Scovell, whose efforts contributed greatly to Wellington's plans of campaign, are given in the appendices to this volume.

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The Turning Point of the Peninsular War .......2005-06-04

This affordable paperback edition of Volume V of Charles Oman's definitive study of the Peninsular War covers the turning point of the conflict. In early 1812, Napoleon withdrew some of his Imperial troops from occupied Spain for his ill-fated invasion of Russia. The dispersal of the remaining French troops to hold down Spanish insurgents coincided with a buildup of the Anglo-Portuguese Army, enabling Wellington to go over to the offensive with an experienced and well-trained force. The bold seizure of the Spanish frontier fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz opened the way for Wellington's magnificent victory of maneuver over Marshal Marmont's French Army at Salamanca. Although Wellington overreached himself at the siege of Burgos and was forced to retrench on the Portuguese frontier over the winter of 1812-1813, the French had lost the initiative in the Peninsular War for good.

Oman brings out how Napoleon's attempts to run the Peninsular War from Paris and Wellington's superior ability to gather intelligence contributed to French defeats. Oman includes a brief but fascinating account, perhaps particularly relevant for modern readers, of the challenges faced by the British Tory government in supporting a long and expensive campaign to dislodge the French from Spain and Portugal. The Whig Party, in opposition, decried every expense and every casualty in favor of an immediate peace treaty with Napoleon. Such a treaty prior to Napoleon's defeat in Russia would have ceded control of Continental Europe to the French Emperor. The Tory government withstood Whig opposition and internal dissension to perservere against Napoleon, trusting Wellington to fulfill the mission of his command.

Oman's command of his subject in volume V is masterful. His narrative is mature and confident. While the focus is on the operational level of war, Oman provides descriptive and ocassionally thrilling vignettes of the critical battles. The footnotes provide much additional context.

This volume and series are highly recommended to serious students of the Napoleonic Wars. The casual reader without background of the conflict may find this volume a very challenging read.

The Complete Story.......2005-05-24

Sir Charles Oman's comprehensive seven volume history of the Peninsular War is the yardstick by which any other history of this theatre must be measured. It is exhaustive in detail and in breadth of coverage. If it happened, it is in one of these volumes. Napoleon may have considered Spain a side show, but as results turned out it was a bleeding ulcer. French losses here, combined with the 1812 campaign, placed a strain on the Empire which could not be overcome by even the best generalship. Any true student of the Napoleonic Wars should find these books and read them. They are essential to a complete understanding of the conflict.

The Complete History.......2005-05-24

The Turning Point of the Peninsular War.......2005-05-03

This wonderfully affordable paperback edition makes available Volume V of Charles Oman's definitive history of the Peninsular War, which covers the turning point of the war. In early 1812, Napoleon withdrew some of his Imperial troops from Spain for the ill-fated invasion of Russia. The dispersal of the remaining French forces to hold down Spanish insurgents coincided with a buildup of the Anglo-Portuguese Army, enabling Wellington to go over to the offensive with his experienced and well-trained force.

The bold seizure of the Spanish frontier fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz opended the way for Wellington's magnificent victory of maneuver over Marshal Marmont's French Army at Salamanca. Wellington would later overreach himself at the siege of Burgos and be forced to retrench on the Portuguese frontier over the winter of 1812-1813. However, the French had lost the initiative in the Peninsular War for good.

Oman includes a brief but fascinating account, perhaps particularly relevant for modern readers, of the challenges faced by the British Tory government in waging an expensive six year campaign to dislodge the French from the Iberian Peninsula. The British Whig Party, in opposition, decried every expense and casualty in favor of an immediate peace treaty with Napoleon. The effect of such a treaty prior to Napoleon's defeat in Russia would have been to concede control of Continental Europe to the French Emperor. The British Ministry withstood both Whig opposition and internal Tory dissension to persevere against Napoleon and to trust Wellington to fulfill the mission of his command in Spain.

Oman's command of his subject is masterful; his narrative is mature and confident. While the focus is on the operational level of war, Oman provides descriptive and occasionally thrilling vignettes of the critical battles. The footnotes provide much additional context which will be of interest to the serious student of the Napoleonic Wars. The casual reader without background of the conflict may find this volume a challenging read.

The Turning Point of the Peninsular War.......2005-02-11

Volume V of Charles Oman's definitive study of the Peninsular War covers the turning point of the conflict in the Iberian Peninsula. In early 1812, Napoleon withdrew some of his Imperial troops from Spain for his ill-fated invasion of Russia. The dispersal of the remaining French troops to hold down Spanish insurgents coincided with a buildup of the Anglo-Portuguese Army, enabling Wellington to go over to the offensive with an experienced and well-trained force. The bold seizure of the Spanish frontier fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz opened the way for Wellington's magnificent victory of maneuver over Marshal Marmont's French army at Salamanca. Although Wellington overreached himself at the siege of Burgos and was forced to retrench on the Portuguese frontier over the winter of 1812-1813, the French had lost the initiative in the Peninsular War for good. Oman brings out how Napoleon's attempts to run the Peninsular War from Paris and Wellington's superior ability to gather intelligence contributed to French defeats. Oman includes a brief but fascinating account, perhaps particularly relevant for modern readers, of the challenges faced by the British Tory government in supporting a long and expensive campaign to dislodge the French from the Iberian Peninsula. The Whig Party, in opposition, decried every expense and every casualty in favor of an immediate peace treaty with Napoleon. Such a treaty prior to Napoleon's defeat in Russia would have ceded control of Continental Europe to the French Emperor. The Tory government withstood Whig opposition and internal dissension to persevere against Napoleon, trusting Wellington to fulfill the mission of his command. Oman's command of his subject is masterful; his narrative is mature and confident. While the focus is on the operational level of war, Oman provides descriptive and ocassionally thrilling vignettes of the critical battles. The footnotes provide much additional context. This volume and series are highly recommended to serious students of the Napoleonic Wars. The casual reader without background of the conflict may find this volume a very challenging read.

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