Books matching: military campaigns
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Blundering to Glory: Napoleon's Military Campaigns by Owen Connelly offers a concise yet detailed account of Napoleon's military campaigns, providing insights into his victories and defeats. The book challenges the conventional view of Napoleon as a tactical and strategic genius, instead focusing on his ability to turn blunders into victories through improvisation. The author delves into the key role played by Napoleon's corps commanders in his successes, highlighting examples where they were more responsible for victories than Napoleon himself.
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Save:'The Spanish Bride' by Georgette Heyer is a historical novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, focusing on the true life story of Brigade Major Harry Smith and his young Spanish wife, Juana. The book follows their tempestuous marriage amidst the chaos and danger of life in the 95th Rifles, as they journey through Spain, Portugal, and America, witnessing historical events like the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. Heyer's writing style is described as meticulously researched, offering detailed accounts of battles and troop movements, while also delving into the personal narrative of Harry and Juana.
Since a complete list of the authorities for a book dealing with the Peninsular War would make tedious reading, I have published no bibliography to The Spanish Bride, preferring to add a note for thos... 'Xenophon's Retreat: Greece, Persia, and the End of the Golden Age' by Robin Waterfield is a detailed narrative that follows Xenophon's Expedition of Cyrus Anabasis, recounting the journey of about 12,000 Greek mercenaries retreating from Sardis to the Black Sea. Waterfield provides a balanced mix of technical, philosophical, and practical aspects of military history, offering religious and cultural perspectives that bring the ancient world to life. The book not only delves into the military aspects but also explores the social, economic, and political forces of the time, shedding light on Xenophon's life and the historical context he lived in.
The author, Robin Waterfield, presents a refreshing and enlightening approach to ancient history, providing critical background on Xenophon and the 10,000 mercenaries. Waterfield's engaging writing style, combined with his dry wit, turns what could be a dry recitation of facts into a captivating narrative. By retracing Xenophon's steps and offering insights into the conflicts between Greece and Persia, Waterfield brings to light the complexities of ancient warfare and the enduring impact of historical events on modern conflicts.
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Save:'Dark Wolf's Awakening' in the series 'Alpha Rising' by Ryan Evans is a fantasy novel that takes readers on an amazing journey filled with military discipline, shapeshifting, political intrigue, and well-developed characters. The story is a perfect blend of solid storytelling, relatable characters, and a captivating plot that keeps readers hooked from the very beginning. The book delves into the history of the world it is set in, providing a rich background for the unfolding events and creating a solid foundation for the adventures that lie ahead.
The writing style of Ryan Evans is praised for its attention to detail, character development, and pacing. The author skillfully combines elements of fantasy with a touch of realism, creating a world that feels both familiar and fantastical. Readers are drawn into the story by the well-written narrative that effortlessly weaves together different aspects of the plot, making it a truly immersive reading experience.
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Save:'Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March' by Adam Zamoyski is a gripping historical account of Napoleon's ill-fated invasion of Russia. The book vividly describes the horrors of the war, from the massive casualties on both sides to the brutal conditions faced by soldiers on the march and during the retreat. Through meticulous research and first-hand accounts, Zamoyski paints a detailed picture of the events leading up to and during the invasion, capturing the human suffering and tragedy of this pivotal moment in history.
Zamoyski's writing style in 'Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March' is both engaging and informative. He weaves together a narrative that is both epic in scale and deeply personal, bringing to life the individual stories of soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict. The book delves into the political climate of the time, Napoleon's strategic blunders, and the sheer magnitude of the disaster that unfolded, offering a comprehensive and compelling account of this historic campaign.
- #6The Fateful Lightning: A Novel of the Civil Warby:Book 4 in the series:Civil War: 1861-1865, Western Theater
Save:"The Fateful Lightning: A Novel of the Civil War" by Jeff Shaara is the final installment in his Civil War series, focusing on General William Tecumseh Sherman and the last eight months of the war. The novel humanizes key players and fictional characters, including a young slave freed by Sherman's march. The story follows Sherman's army through Georgia and the Carolinas, highlighting the challenges faced by both Confederate and Union forces.
He halted the horse at the crest of a hill, pulled back on the reins, stared out westward for a long moment. The staff did the same, following his lead, spreading out to give him room, no one moving c...
(Also, see 25 recommendations for the series Civil War: 1861-1865, Western Theater ) - #7
Save:Winter Quarters by Alfred Duggan is a historical fiction novel following the journey of Gaul nobleman Camul and his friend Acco as they join the Roman army and travel across Gaul, Rome, Greece, Syria, and eventually take part in a campaign against the Parthians. The narrative provides insights into the historical settings, social details of the period, and the Roman lifestyle, showcasing the desire for bloodshed and the business-like approach to war.
We came back two days ago from the last patrol of the year, and now we face four months of stagnation in winter quarters. I enjoy patrolling the Sea of Grass, though we hardly ever meet the Red Riders... - #8
Save:Readers of '1776' by David McCullough are taken on a vivid journey through the events of the American Revolution in the year 1776. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, McCullough brings to life the struggles and triumphs of key figures such as George Washington, his generals, and the soldiers involved in the conflict. The book offers a detailed account of the military campaigns, the challenges faced by the American troops, and the political intricacies surrounding the birth of a nation. With a narrative style that reads like a novel, '1776' provides readers with a deeper understanding of the sacrifices and decisions that shaped the course of history.
ON THE AFTERNOON of Thursday, October 26, 1775, His Royal Majesty George III, King of England, rode in royal splendor from St. James’s Palace to the Palace of Westminster, there to address the opening... - #9
Save:"The Iron Hand of Mars" in the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis follows the adventures of Marcus Didius Falco as he is sent to Germany on a mission for Emperor Vespasian. The plot unfolds as Falco navigates through the challenges of Roman military campaigns in German tribal territories, searching for a missing general and a rebel while encountering religious sects and unraveling intrigues. The story is rich in historical detail, providing an enthralling look into the life of a Roman soldier in the wilderness and the atmosphere of Germania from a Roman perspective.
The writing style of Lindsey Davis brings ancient Rome to life, portraying a vivid picture of the Roman Empire and its workings during the time of Vespasian. The narrative is filled with witty and charming characters, including the protagonist Falco, who is depicted as a reluctant hero navigating through murder, intrigue, and politics in the wilderness of northern Europe. Davis skillfully weaves research-rich descriptions into a compelling story that offers a fresh perspective on the Roman Empire.
We were in bed at my apartment, high up on the Aventine. A real sixth-floor bughole—only most bugs grew tired of walking upstairs before they ever got this far. I passed them sometimes, flaked out on ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Marcus Didius Falco ) - #10
Save:This well researched biography of one of the great men of history is well worth reading for anyone interested in nineteenth century history or its further implications for today. Roberts compares mountains of previous biographies as well as documents discovered as recently as the last decade in order to give a balanced view of the man and his amazing career. Despite the length, it is nevertheless a concise history, answering all the main questions about Napoleon's rise and fall, the times he lived in and the major characters, both political and personal, involved. Roberts is an obvious admirer of the man, but spends a lot of time analyzing the character flaws and weaknesses that ultimately kept him from achieving his ultimate goals. The book is well written, enjoyable to read.
Andrew Roberts makes a good set of choices and provides a good overview of the life and work of Napoleon. The book is, however, a challenge to read, particularly on a Kindle. You need to have a good understanding of European geography which the maps in the Kindle edition are not up to. I needed to use an atlas while reading the book. You also have a challenge to keep up with all of the people mentioned in the book. Finally, I found the description of the battles somewhat weak in comparison to other military history books. Despite these challenges, the book is a good way to get acquainted with Napoleon.
‘The hero of a tragedy, in order to interest us, should be neither wholly guilty nor wholly innocent . . . All weakness and all contradictions are unhappily in the heart of man, and present a colourin...
