The Napoleonic Wars: An illustrated History - 1792-1815

New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc., 1979. Assumed First Edition . Trade Paperback. Fine/Very Good. 7 1/2" X 9. 232 Pages Indexed. More than 100 excellent black and white illustrations, including contemporary battle plans and seven maps, and 13 superb colour illustrations. On April 20, 1792, revolutionary France declared war on Austria and began a struggle that, with only two short breaks, was to last until after Waterloo, more than twenty years later. Except for tiny Montenegro, every country in Europe was involved at one time or another, many countries fIghting now on France's side, then against her. There were naval actions in every ocean of the world, while on land the fighting ranged from Java in the east to Buenos Aires in the west; from Finland in the north to Cape Town in the south. While Napoleon was the predominant figure, there was also a plethora of distinguished if lesser figures. Among the generals were the Archduke Charles, Kutusov, Massena and Wellington. The admirals included Howe, Villaret -Joyeuse and Nelson - and there was that remarkable trio of statesmen: Castlereagh, Metternich and Talleyrand. In this book Michael Glover, author of eleven other military historical books, and an authority on the period, weaves together the four strands - military, naval, economic and diplomatic - which went to make up the greatest war that history has known, and which included such classic battles as the Nile, Marengo, Trafalgar, Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, Wagram, Salamanca, Borodino, Leipzig and Waterloo.