As featured 'On The Shelf'

Wargames Illustrated, April 2019

This is an excellent narrative of the 1805 campaign that culminated in the battle of Austerlitz. Whilst its sources for the general campaign are rooted in Chandler’s 'Campaigns of Napoleon' the essential differences are that this narrative drives to the actions at battalion rather than brigade level and that a considerable number of Austrian sources have been used. The book is therefore well balanced. It deserves to be read with a good physical map of the battlefields to hand to really appreciate the importance of the ground that was fought over and marched across and also to help understand the genius of the Corsican in seeing and understanding ground and the opportunities presented. Austerlitz is possibly the best example of Napoleon’s insight into using the ground to advantage. The maps are excellent in showing the movements of units and the narrative does not tire and takes the reader through a better understanding of the campaign and its final battle by giving its characters depth and personality. Some are flawed but the campaign has much to do with flaws and failures, every bit as much as the commanding presence of Napoleon.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy