Product Description

Major Richard Llewellyn, who fought at Quatre Bras, wrote in 1837 that, 'Had it not been so closely followed by the... victory of Waterloo, perhaps the gallant exploits and unexampled bravery that marked that day would... have excited even more admiration than was actually associated with it.' This book stands out from the wealth of Napoleonic literature in that it is the first English-language account to focus solely on the battle of Quatre Bras. It is based upon extensive research and in many cases unpublished personal accounts from all participating countries, as well as a detailed topographic, aerial survey of the battlefield. These combine to provide a highly personal, balanced and authoritative work. The author unravels the controversies of a battle where commanders made errors of omission and commission and where cowardice rubbed shoulders with heroism. This is the story of a battle that turned a campaign; of triumph and disaster. It is a story of two great generals, but more importantly, of the intense human experience of those that they led. It is a book that will appeal to both the scholar and the generalist.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34337 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Review
A work of impressive scholarship ... meticulously but not excessively referenced ... well-mapped and beautifully illustrated ... The book deserves a place on the shelves with the great historians of the battle of the first rank which followed it. --The Spectator, August '09

Customer Reviews

good book, wrong author
The book is a very enjoyable read. That can't be denied. However, it is also very disppointing. The main problem is that it only describes events from the allied point of view, even though the book cover states that the author has studied the Waterloo campaign for 30 years! In 30th years he did not come across one account from the French point of view? And the book contains no orders of battle. Why? Other authors describing the battle in English, have managed to offer fairly detailed Orders of Battle for both the French and the allied armies. Overall, you never really obtain a good sense of who was fighting who and how many. And, although the allies regiments are mentioned and marked on maps, even down to company levels, the French are displayed as arrows with French Infantry or Cavalry marked on them. And in the text they become 'it was a very large number, considerable masses of French drawn up, single immense column emerging, swaying glittering mass, the odds were too great' etc. I wanted to know who was attacking and how many and what regiments? The book does not supply the answers, apart from that they were French and generally a lot of them. So yes, it is a good read, and for that I would recommend it. And it does contain good maps and photos, including some in colour. And there are interesting narratives and insights, such as the description of General van Merlan, who once fought for Napoleon and had been awarded the Legion d'Honneur. And no doubt Wargamers, providing they take notes as they read the book, could probably recreate the allied army. But for their opponents, they wouldn't have a clue! It really is frustrating because we certainly need more titles like this, in the sense that they describe the lesser published actions. But sadly, my overall feeling, as good a read as it is, is 'good book, wrong author'. I just hope someone attempts to write one on the same action from the French point of view, and, as with most good authors, they include some decent Orders of Battle and instead of glittering mass etc, a few names and numbers here and there. I don't think that is too much to ask, especially considering the original price of the title.

Well researched / detailed account.
A well researched and detailed blow by blow account of the battle of Quatre Bras. This well written account covers in some detail the lead up to the events of June 16th 1815 and the battle of Quatre Bras from an Allied perspective. (The only negative being the lack of information relating to the French). Mike Robinson's book is easy to read, full of anecdotal accounts and once started, difficult to put down. A must for readers of serious history!.

High marks for Wellingtonian historical drama
exciting and thought-stimulating account of the battle that preceded Waterloo. Top quality use of primary accounts. Vivid impressions of the battle from the Dutch/Anglo/Brunswick side only, which builds a great sense of drama. Will give students of Wellington's tactical genius some moments of doubt!