Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #184133 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Synopsis
In a tense, crowded thirty-three days in the autumn of 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte organized a coup and made himself dictator of France. Yet his position was precarious. He knew that France would accept his rule only if he gained military victories that brought peace. James Arnold, in this detailed and compelling account, describes the extraordinary campaigns that followed. At Marengo Bonaparte defeated the Austrians and his fellow general Jean Moreau beat the combined Austrian and Bavarian armies at Hohenlinden. These twin campaigns proved decisive. Bonaparte's dictatorship was secure and his enemies across Europe were forced into a 15-year struggle to overthrow him.

Customer Reviews

the best yet
If you're after a title on Marengo, this is the one to buy. It is by far the best and much superior in many ways to other titles covering the same action. Plus, there is the added bonus of another major battle, Hohenlinden, of which very little has been written. The writing is absolutely superb. Once you start reading you can't put it down. The text brings both actions alive and the historical characters virtually jump out at you, so that it almost reads like a great novel. Besides the brilliant text there are numerous maps, period prints and photographs covering areas from both battlefields, which adds even more life to this excellent account. The Orders of Battle for both the French and Austrian armies during the two battles are displayed in a clear and informative way and there is a welcome description of the various commanders and officers involved. Both battles appeared to have been well researched and the text contains an excellent Bibliography, something sadly lacking in other texts on the same topic. In short, both Napoleonic Wargamers and enthusiasts will love this book. If I could give it six stars I would.