An accessible account of the background to the 1814 and 1815 campaigns.

European History Quarterly

This book is excellent and a must read for anyone interested in Napoleonic history but also for those
generally interested in the counterfactual genre. This book would be appropriate in upper-level and
graduate-level classes.
Indeed,I echo the positive sentiments of fellow reviewer Steve Brown who described this book as “the most revealing work on the French ‘home front’” and “highly recommended.” I would add to such high
praise that this book is a real page turner and essential reading for any student of Napoleonic history.

H-France Review Vol. 18

As featured by

VaeVictis, March-April 2017

In the opening pages of this book, Esdaile himself describes his contribution as forlorn, yet this is one area where he is undoubtedly mistaken. This engaging and cleverly written book will excite novices and experts alike, and there can be little doubt that this work is essential reading for anyone who studies the period. It is often said that, in history, today’s consensus is tomorrow’s controversy. Thanks to this bold study, the era of consensus on Napoleon is over. 200 years on, Napoleon’s supporters and opponents are about to do battle once again, albeit this time with a pen, rather than a sword. Only time will tell whether Napoleon will lose the peace in the same way that he lost the war.

Zack White, Freelance