The author had access to many Russian primary sources. This allows him to paint a detailed and balanced picture of the events.

VaeVictis, September/October 2017

On 7th September 1812 in what was to be one of the largest battles of the Napoleonic War, the French and Russian armies met at Borodino, some 75 miles west of Moscow. The action was a key factor in Napoleon’s eventual defeat in Russia and the ultimate destruction of his army. Here the author reconsiders the 1812 campaign and relates the story of the battle from a Russian point of view. His research provides a fresh perspective on Borodino and offers a broader understanding of the underlying reasons for the eventual Russian triumph. First published in 2007, this paperback edition now offers another opportunity to purchase this interesting account. There are 10 maps, eight diagrams and numerous monochrome illustrations included in the book, along with orders of battle, a glossary, notes and sources, select bibliography and an index.

Stuart Asquith, author

This book has everythink you'd expect from the best of the 'Campaign Chronicle' series and one written by a man who is one of the leading 'young bloods' of Napoleonic history, Alex Mikaberidze. This is an invaluable source and a good read.

Avon Napoleonic Fellowship

This is a superb examination of a crucial battle, clearly written, readable but detailed and backed by very high quality research.

historyofwar.org - July 2011

Alexander Mikaberidze paints the picture of the development of the relationship between Napoleon and Tsar Alexander from the time of its honeymoon at the 1807 Treaty of Tilsit, through its deterioration to the inevitable, horribly messy divorce, in 1812. The chief culprit for this estrangement was Napoleon’s Continental System, whose avowed aim was the commercial aggrandisement of France at the expense of the economies of all other nations of Europe. This did indeed bring Russia close to the brink of ruin, leading to Alexander’s opening of his harbours to vital and lucrative trade with England and thus his abandonment of Napoleon’s system. Napoleon could not allow this challenge to his power go unpunished, or it would have made his impotence clear for all to see and flout in similar manner. Thus the stage was set for the historic showdown.

The author covers the preparations for the invasion of Russia and the strategic groupings of the opposing armies at the start of the invasion. For the first time, there is included a wealth of Russian eye-witness accounts of the confused state of the Russian defensive thinking, the intrigue, plotting, xenophobia and back-biting, which was the everyday menu of fare in the higher echelons of Alexander’s military command. A forward defence or the more flexible approach of a withdrawal, deep into a deserted Russia? The debate is well documented. Clearly shown is the immense strain placed on the Russian generals by the use of the latter tactic, supported again by many more Russian accounts, seen for the first time in English.

The actions at Schewardino and the main battle of Borodino are similarly fleshed out with personal accounts from all nations involved, giving some impression of the intensity of the bloody action on those days. It is tempting to think how the Duke of Wellington would have handled the defence of that stretch of terrain; no doubt the defenders’ casualties would have been far, far fewer and those of the attackers’ much higher.

The change of management style between Barclay de Tolley (calm, disciplined, rational) and Kutusov (cunning, devious, political to the fingertips, meddling in the established command and control mechanisms, with his personal interests well to the fore) is well demonstrated. The story of the fall of the Rajewsky battery is covered in detail, finally clarifying just which cavalry regiments actually were involved.

A new aspect of this great event is an analysis of the telling and re-telling of Russian historians’ versions of the battle during the Soviet era. Included are 12 maps, 12 diagrams, two highly-detailed orders of battle, numerous statistical analyses of the opposing forces, an extensive glossary and an index, as well as scores of black-and white portraits and battle scenes, all packed in to this— the ultimate work on this important battle. All the maps are clear, relevant and well laid out. Reading this extensive work is not for the faint-hearted, but it is very well worth it.

Napoleon Series Reviews - April 2011