Napoleon Bonaparte: Gregory Fremont-Barnes: No. 1 (Command)

Napoleon Bonaparte Book. Bought for my husband after just reading the French Revolution. He is enjoying it, although reading it very sporadically - definitely too heavy for me.....

Bought as a present for my grandson, really into history so enjoyed reading this book. Arrived promptly and packed well.

I received a spoilt used copy, but the text is good. Time of arrival fine.

good book on subject1

Any review of this book would have to start with a brief discussion of what the book is and is not. As part of Osprey's new series on the background, strategies, tactics and battlefield experiences of the greatest commanders of history, it is intended only as an introduction to the subject that can get a reader up to speed on the subject in an hour or so, not an in-depth treatise. At 64 pages, about a third of which consist of illustration, this is all that can be expected of such a book. For those seeking more in-depth coverage other books are available. For those interested in an overall (i.e., covering more his life than military campaigns per se), this reviewer recommends Alan Schom's "Napoleon: A Life" (this book is almost 1,000 pages in length) or, for those with less time, Felix Markham's "Napoleon" (about 340 pages). For those more interested in Napoleon's military campaigns, this reviewer recommends one of the 20th century's leading scholars on Napoleon, David Chandler's tome "The Campaigns of Napoleon" (at 1,200 pages quite a read) and his shorter more succinct "The Illustrated Napoleon". The former is an in-depth book on Napoleon's campaigns written primarily with the specialist in mind while the latter was written, more or less, as an introduction to his campaigns written with the non-specialist in mind.The relevant question to ask with respect to this book is does it provide a good succinct introduction to Napoleon. The answer is yes. The book provides a brief introduction to Napoleon's life as well as a good introduction to his campaigns for the reader with only an hour or so to spend. In addition, the book is well illustrated with key points in his life as well as maps on his most important battles. The book, however, does have some weaknesses that prevent this reviewer from granting it a five star review. The most important is that, especially given the short length of the book, the author spends too much time and goes into too much detail on two of Napoleon's most important battles, Austerlitz and Waterloo. Considering the book's short length the author should have used the pages spend on this topics in-depth instead providing a high level discussion of the key's to Napoleon's success and what differentiated him from others, especially his ability to infiltrate into rear areas and wreck havoc. Not that detailed discussions of these topics are not relevant, just that with the limited spaced available in the Osprey format, the space could have been better used.

Solid addition to the Osprey series, "Leadership, Strategy, Conflict." Here, we read of Napoleon Bonaparte. The book is part biography and part military history. We learn of Napoleon's military training, his early career, his role with the Revolutionary forces, his advancement--and his eventual accession as emperor. Also told is the story of his campaigns and key battles. The author lays out his viewed of Napoleon early (Page 4): "With the possible exception of Alexander, Napoleon justifiably ranks as history's greatest commander." While I'm not so sure, given his poor performance in Egypt and in his foolish invasion of Russia, he clearly ranks highly in this arena.Page 9 features a map that portrays his major campaigns--Italy; the Middle East; campaigns of 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1809; the Spanish Campaign; the Russian Campaign; the 1813 and 1814 campaigns; Waterloo. The book provides enough information about his early Italian campaigns to give a sense of why he rose so swiftly in the French military command structure. There is a good discussion of one of his masterpieces, Austerlitz. Here, we see Napoleon near the peak of his power, as he planned to destroy the forces arrayed against him by making them think that he was terribly vulnerable on his flank (which he had set up to entice an attack) so that he could pierce the Pratzen Heights in the center of the Allied line and then roll up those forces.The book also provides a useful description of his ill-fated Russian campaign--leaving with a mighty horde and returning with but a fraction of his precious human resources. The book well describes Russian General Katusov's Fabian strategy, with the sanguinary battle at Borodino as an exception. Finally, of course, his defeat at Waterloo, despite an amazing campaign to, very temporarily, keep two separate armies from joining and overwhelming him.There are many nice illustrations, including useful maps (although sometimes the print is a bit small for my eyes!). The book concludes by considering his key antagonists, such as Wellington and Blucher and Katusov. Then, an examination of his accomplishments--and his weaknesses. Napoleon was wont to blame others when things went awry, for example.All told, a solid albeit very brief introduction to Napoleon. . . .

Lots of glossy pictures but only three very small battle maps. Most people could pick up all the information in this very short (64 pp.) pamphlet just by watching historical movies.

Nice introduction book about Napoleon and his major battles.

Was as expected

Good job