The War of Wars: The Great European Conflict 1793 - 1815

by Robert Harvey

Book Overview

At the turn of the 18th century the greatest nations in Europe, separated by only 21 miles of water, offered history two distinct ideals that would shape the new century: England was a democratic,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786718579
• ISBN13: 9780786718573
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
• Length: 804 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.3" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent reading. Could have used more maps

Napoleon, Hitler, Alexander, Ghengis Kahn. These world-conquerors hold a special place in the minds of the human race. Even when they are considered monsters (especially Hitler, although all these men were capable of the most heinous atrocitites), these larger-than-life historical figures continue to fill bookshelves in the stores and libraries. In spite of the assertions in the early chapters of the book, the French wars from 1789 to 1814 really are the history of the rise of the national conscript army and its use by Napoleon to bring the old Europe to its knees. This book hits all the usual highlights - Borodino, Austerlitz, the Nile, etc. Because it hits all the highlights, there is not a lot of detail on any given battle (Trafalgar and Waterloo fare the best, as do the battles in Wellington's Penninsular Campaign). Instead, the author wisely concentrates on the major personalities involved. We learn about Napoleon's dalliances, the Duke of Wellington's haughty manner, Blucher's relationship with his troops, etc. In fact, Harvey goes to great lengths to demolish the heroic standing of the Allied commanders. On the British side, only Cochrane and Moore come out looking good. Nelson treats his wife so badly he doesn't even answer her mail, traipses about Europe spending profligately on his mistress, and can't even be bothered to attend his own father's funeral. Wellington is aloof and cold, unliked by his men (although they follow him knowing he is a brilliant general), and jealous of his hereditary titles. The Austrian generals are at best unimaginative (Duke Charles) and mostly incompetent. On the French side, Napoleon's stepson Eugene fares best under Harvey's whithering criticism. Most controversial, perhaps, is Harvey's assertion that Napoleon was not really a very good general. He concedes that Austerlitz is indeed a great victory, and one that required control over an enormous army. But Napoleon's other large battles - Borodino, Waterloo, etc. - were often tactical victories, but strategic losses (and very close-run things). Napoleon's genius was in small battles of manouevre (i.e. his Italian campaign when the Directory still ruled in Paris) rather than large-scale set-pieces. Ultimately, this is a general history, meant for enjoyment by a wide audience. In that, it succeeds brilliantly. This is a page-turner, not only because the events go by so fast, but because Harvey brings the personalities so vividly to life. The book could certainly have used more maps - both battle details but also strategic maps showing cities, rivers, and political boundries.

The Epic Struggle

I recently read this rather titanic tome. I saw it and picked it up in Heathrow Airport, while trapped there a couple of months ago. It tells the tale of the war between France and her allies, and Britain and her allies...starting with the Frence Revolution and ending with the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, and his subsequent exile. I have to say, I learned an enormous amount by reading this book. Let me give some examples... 1. English, and European, society was more sexual than I would have expected, with various scandalous relationships widely known by the public. For instance, Admiral Lord Nelson had a long public relationship with a beautiful young lady who was not his wife. Princesses and queens seemed to offer themselves up in order to try to save their nations from Napoleon and his cronies. 2. France mounted serious efforts under Napoleon to invade the British Isles. 3. Napoleon's escapades in Egypt, against the Ottoman Empire, left him stranded, as his huge fleet was pretty much at anchor at the Battle of the Nile. 4. The French Revolution was started by French minor noblemen and aristocrats because the French King attempted to balance his budget and tax, not the poor so much, but the aristocrats. 5. The Duke of Wellington was a brilliant general who won his battles by taking defensive positions and then drawing in his opponents. 6. The scope of death in this long struggle amounts to 10% of the population of Europe at the time. The picture painted of Napoleon as a character is striking. Some aspects of his character reminded me a little of myself. I don't speak of the megalomania, or the mastery of propoganda, or the many mistresses, or the skill on the battlefield under adverse circumstances. Rather's it's the early Napoleon: good at math, family-oriented, facing much career adversity, somewhat shy with the ladies, and somewhat suspicious of religion. The evolution of warfare styles is clearly obvious, from the innovations that Carnot and Napoleon brought to the table at the beginning of the war, to how those innovations evolved and stopped serving Napoleon well by the end. Sea warfare tactics are aptly illustrated as well. The book does an excellent job of tying all elements of the story together, and truly painting a picture of characters, tactics, and life for all involved during this epic struggle. It's definitely worth a read, if you can handle a book of this size (832 pages), and if you are interested in Napoleonic history. Next stop for me in this genre: Winston Churchill.

The War of Wars is a fine general history of the RevolutionaryWars of Napoleonic France

Historian Robert Harvey has crafted an excellent popularly written history of the violent Revolutionary Wars which devastated Europe from 1793 to the fall of Napoleon at Watereloo in 1815. Harvey's style is easy to read, anecdotal and filled with insights on this turbulent time in European history. Harvey begins his long tome of over 800 close printed pages by examining the French Revolutiony of 1789. He emphasizes that the horrific wars between France and her enemies Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia and Spain had already begun before the Corsican corporal Napoleon Bnaparte emerged followin his military victory at the siege of Toulon. Napoleon (1769-1821) was born in Corscia, attended a military academy in France and was cruelly ambitious. He seized power from the Directory in 1799 became a military dictator. To survive the crafty and crude Napoleon knew he would have to wage perpetual war to retain power. Harvey concludes that Napoleon was a great general but a terrible politician. The emperor won great victories in Northern Italy, Austerlitz, Marengo and other battles. His two tragic mistakes which cost him his crown was the launching of the disastrous Penisular war versus Spain 1808-1812 and the destruction of a large army in the snows of Russia. Napoleon's earlier campaign in Egypt was also a military disaster. Napoleon was corrupt and a nepotist who gave his large family rulership over much of continental Europe. He was a libertine who had many affairs and two wives: Josephine and Maria Louisa of Austria. His Polish lover Marie Waleska had an illegitmate child by the amorous ruler. Napoleon was an atheist and a monster who was responsible for the deaths of millions of people. It was during his reign that total war came to Europe. Massive battles were waged foreshadowing the horrors of the trenches of World War I and the tragedy of the horrendous World War II which saw 60 million deaths the majority of which were of civilians. Harvey is excellent in describing the naval exploits of such great sailors as Admiral Lord Nelson. His descriptions of the sea battles of Trafalagar, the Glorious First of June, Cophenhagen and other actions is fascinating reading. Harvey also is superb in describing naval warfare in the age of sail. He describes well the lives of the typical tar in the British and French navies. The book contains adequate maps of the major battles, contains several typos and is well researched. If you want to read a good one volume history of the era this is the book for you. Recommended.

An Excellent Overview

Mr. Harvey's book is a 700+ page summary of the conflict generally known as the "Napoleonic Wars", although, as he points out, the fighting started long before Napoleon came to power. It is highly readable and very interesting. The writing was a little uneven. Some chapters were great, some were merely very good. Being neither an editor nor a teacher, I was not troubled by the minor editing errors that seem to have totally destroyed other reviewers enjoyment of this excellent book. Buy it, read it. You will not be disappointed.

excellent history

I will admit I have not completed the tome yet, but I am quite far into it, and I have read enough to know I can highly recommed this book. Its excellent. For those who want a single volume dealing with the long war in Europe--which started with the French Revolution, and ended with the final defeat of Napoleon, this is it. Harvey has put together a wonderful book, which includes biographies of the important figures, anectotal information, and a well-written narrative. ' His account of the French Revolution, and the rise of Napoleon is very well done. It goes from one step to the next, and explains how the Corsican rose to power. Many pages have been written about the rise of the dictator, but not many are any better than this. It was a fascinating--and complicated--time. Sorting it out is not always easily done. Mr. Harvey has managed it with great skill, and good writing. If the topic interests you, get the book.