Napoleon and Russia

Description

Napoleon and Russia is the epic story of a battle of historical giants. The catastrophic retreat of the Grande Armee from Moscow in 1812 was decisive in the eventual defeat of Napoleon. It was, however, only the most dramatic episode in a much longer struggle between Napoleon and Russia, one that dated back as far as his early campaigns in Italy and Austria. Truces and attempts at friendship with Alexander I, notably after the treaty of Tilsit in 1807, alternated with major campaigns and ferocious battles, notably at Eylau and Friedland. Even after 1812, it was the Russian army that played a crucial part in defeating Napoleon at Leipzig in 1813 and forcing his abdication. Cossacks rode into Paris and watered their horses in the Seine. In 1815 Napoleon was forced to gamble everything on a quick victory at Waterloo before Russian forces could join the Allies.

Michael Adams has a doctorate in War Studies from Kings College, University of London. He has had several historical articles published. He lives in London.

Featured on "The A-List" in Today's Books "This [book] gives us a fresh insight into the Napoleonic period as a whole from a continental perspective... The serious student of the continental conflict during this period should study this work" First Empire, September - October 2007 "Adams's book...sets the campaign of 1812 within a broad context of Franco-Russian relations. Adams does a competent job of outlining the elements of possibly the crucial international relationship of the wars." -Philip G. Dwyer, International History Review, March 2009 "his coverage of the fragmented and complicated campaigns in Saxony in 1813 and France in 1814 is the best concise account available" "the complicated course of the diplomatic relationship between France and Russia, involving as it does the whole of Europe, is presented in a way that is clear and comprehensible" 30 November 2007 -- Adam Zamoyoski * Times Literary Supplement *