Audiobook24 hours
Napoleon's Wars: An International History, 1803-1815
Written by Charles Esdaile
Narrated by Simon Prebble
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
No military figure in history has been quite as polarizing as Napoleon Bonaparte. Was he a monster, driven by an endless, ruinous quest for military glory? Or a social and political visionary brought down by petty, reactionary kings of Europe?
In the most definitive account to date, respected historian Charles Esdaile argues that the chief motivating factor for Napoleon was his insatiable desire for fame. More than a myth-busting portrait of Napoleon, however, this volume offers a panoramic view of the armed conflicts that spread so quickly out of revolutionary France to countries as remote as Sweden and Egypt. Napoleon's Wars seeks to answer the question, What was it that made the countries of Europe fight one another for so long and with such devastating results? Esdaile portrays the European battles as the consequence of rulers who were willing to take the immense risks of either fighting or supporting Napoleon-risks that resulted in the extinction of entire countries. This is history writing equal to its subject-grand and ambitious.
In the most definitive account to date, respected historian Charles Esdaile argues that the chief motivating factor for Napoleon was his insatiable desire for fame. More than a myth-busting portrait of Napoleon, however, this volume offers a panoramic view of the armed conflicts that spread so quickly out of revolutionary France to countries as remote as Sweden and Egypt. Napoleon's Wars seeks to answer the question, What was it that made the countries of Europe fight one another for so long and with such devastating results? Esdaile portrays the European battles as the consequence of rulers who were willing to take the immense risks of either fighting or supporting Napoleon-risks that resulted in the extinction of entire countries. This is history writing equal to its subject-grand and ambitious.
Author
Charles Esdaile
Charles Esdaile lectures on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, modern Europe and the Spanish Civil War at the University of Liverpool. He is the author of Popular Resistance in the French Wars.
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Reviews for Napoleon's Wars
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
3 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5General histories of the age focus about 80% on Napoleon, throw in some Nelson and Wellington, and round out with the other players - Russia, Austria, Prussia, etc.This telling focuses from the outside in or from the larger view down: Napoleon's geopolitical context. Esdaile gives the international perspectives; national goals, aims, vulnerabilities, threats, and strategies; and reasonings as well as Napoleon's. In many ways, this is refreshing, but will ultimately be disappointing to Napoleon's more strident fans. Esdaile's use of context provides readers with a better understanding that doesn't usually put Napoleon in the best light.Despite what others said, it doesn't put Britain in a very great light either, substantially dimming Britain's role. As another reviewer mentioned, this history doesn't give Britan as much weight as is standard. Russia and Austria are given equal or greater weight (I think justly) as Britain while Prussia, Spain, and Sicily are less. We aren't given extensive retellings of battles but how the battles influenced the people and events following. There is a substantial focus on the diplomatic, political, and economic backend. The book uses extensive primary material as well as secondary material, leading to further readings.To answer the fanboy criticism of the book, this book admittedly swings to the too critical side. BUT Napoleon was a conqueror who knew his perch solely depended on bringing home victories. As even his many admirers admit, he had no ability to compromise. He was a genius who knew it, with little faith in others' abilities (I think of the SNL computer snob skits). Given those personality traits, I believe Esdaile follows a more realistic analysis of the decisions made than other historians. For fans, this is an important book to counter-balance their otherwise starry-eyed collection.To answer criticism from the other side, the author points out several times that the eighteenth century was the "Century of War." Every Age has a standard to apply to their leaders. As Hume's caustic denunciation of Richard I showed, otherwise good historians can wrongly apply standards of their time as if these were relevant. The standards of Napoleon's day - Peter, Catherine, and Frederick - all earned their "Great's" from conquering AND being enlightened autocrats - servants with duties and responsibilities. I believe Napoleon tried to meet and exceed the standards of his age. As such, Esdaile's critical phrasing demonstrates a tendency to judge Napoleon anachronistically. I find this anachronistic moral context ironic since this book's aim is to provide context.My only problem is that of organization: the narrative hops around in time, assuming that players and events are familiar. A Napoleon student will not have many problems, but casual readers may get lost at times. I'm familiar with the period and had to reread sections at times. Surprisingly, the paperback is good quality and lays flat.ps: If anyone knows of any good books on the Six Days Campaign while fighting the 6th Coalition, I would be grateful. Esdaile included, everyone mentions Napoleon's manic energy and genius in his last days before Elba, but this period is covered in only a few pages.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This book is kind of the inverse of the military histories of the Napoleonic Wars that are so common: the author spends very little time on the battles themselves, and spend most of the pages putting those wars in context by showing the diplomatic maneuvering that took place between the European heads of state from the First Coalition to the Seventh.