The Campaign of 1812 in Russia

By Carl von Clausewitz

Book Overview

"Clausewitz was], without question, the greatest analyst and student of Napoleon's art of war. . . . Of the numerous accounts of the 1812 campaign . . . few provide greater insight or have contributed more to our understanding of it."--George F. Nafziger, author of Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

On June 23, 1812, Napoleon's Grande Arm e, over 500,000 men strong, poured over the Russian border. An equally massive Russian army faced them. The ensuing campaign was a catastrophe for Napoleon. Although the battle of Borodino, which resulted in heavy losses on both sides, allowed Napoleon to enter Moscow, his stay in that empty and decimated city was disastrous. By the time Napoleon had retreated to the Berezina river in late November, his Grande Arm e was only a fifth of its original strength. His retreat had become a rout, and his allies began to desert him.

In this book, Clausewitz analyzes all the significant players with sharp and enlightening characterizations, and provides perhaps the best eyewitness accounts of the battle of Borodino and the Convention of Tauroggen. The Campaign of 1812 in Russia is a brilliantly observed study of one of the major turning points of history.
New foreword by Sir Michael Howard

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306806509
• ISBN13: 9780306806506
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

excellent summary of Napoleon's defeat at his own hands.

Although I found the book insightful and rather stimulating, there was a large lack of precise detail regarding the mindset of the Emperor himself and just why he would attempt such a foolhardy invasion. Along with the maps and depictions, it was totally enjoyable, one of the few books I have not been able to put down.