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Revolution Quartet #4
The Fields Of Death
It's 1810, and both Viscount Wellington and Emperor Napoleon have made great names for themselves as outstanding military commanders. Wellington expands his achievements and enjoys further fame during his years in Spain but knows his most challenging test will be to face Napoleon's mighty army. But when Wellington invades France in 1814 he gains a swift and certain victory. He indulges in a spell of self-congratulation at Vienna -- until news comes of Napoleon's triumphant return. Napoleon, ambitious as ever, embarks on a Russian campaign which ends in disaster and is then defeated at Leipzig in the biggest battle ever fought in Europe. With Napoleon's power waning at long last, Wellington must seize the opportunity to crush the tyrant once and for all -- and so the two giants face each other for the final time, at Waterloo...
608 pages, Hardcover
First published June 17, 2010
121 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Simon Scarrow
164Ìýbooks2,099ÌýfollowersSimon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
January 8, 2022
Read this book in 2010, and its the 4th and last volume of the amazing "Wellington & Napoleon" quartet.
This book starts in AD 1810, with both Wellington and Napoleon victorious and establishing themselves as military commanders.
While Wellington is more and more victorious in Spain against the might French Army of Napoleon, this same Napoleon is still holding on to his determination that France will be victorious in the end.
But when in AD 1814 Viscount Wellington achieves a foothold in France and a certain victory, Napoleon will be captured and sent to Elba.
While Wellington is celebrating his victory in Vienna, Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France to embark on a Russian campaign, but that will come to a halt and disaster when napoleon is defeated at the greatest battle ever fought, and that's at Leipzig.
Napoleon's power is waning, and Wellington in the ascendance, they will come to the final ultimate battle of Waterloo. and there everything will be decided in that last glorious bloody battle, and we all know which way it went in the end.
Highly recommended, for this an epic ending to this terrific 4 part series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Tremendous Wellington & Napoleon Ending"!
This book starts in AD 1810, with both Wellington and Napoleon victorious and establishing themselves as military commanders.
While Wellington is more and more victorious in Spain against the might French Army of Napoleon, this same Napoleon is still holding on to his determination that France will be victorious in the end.
But when in AD 1814 Viscount Wellington achieves a foothold in France and a certain victory, Napoleon will be captured and sent to Elba.
While Wellington is celebrating his victory in Vienna, Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France to embark on a Russian campaign, but that will come to a halt and disaster when napoleon is defeated at the greatest battle ever fought, and that's at Leipzig.
Napoleon's power is waning, and Wellington in the ascendance, they will come to the final ultimate battle of Waterloo. and there everything will be decided in that last glorious bloody battle, and we all know which way it went in the end.
Highly recommended, for this an epic ending to this terrific 4 part series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Tremendous Wellington & Napoleon Ending"!
January 12, 2018
This is the fourth and final book of Scarrow’s Revolution Quartet. This book follows Napoleon’s battles with Austria and Russia and Wellington’s peninsular campaigns to the Battle of Waterloo. Scarrow is a master at writing historical fiction. He is such an easy writer to read as the prose flows so beautifully. His depictions of scenes and battles are historically accurate and hold my attention. I found these four books fascinating. I have been obsessed with this period in history since I was a child. Needless to say, I have read everything I can about the Napoleonic period. These four books cover so much detail they would be great to read many times.
The book is well written and researched. Scarrow does an excellent job of placing the reader into the time frame of the story. Most of the story is historically accurate except for one item. Scarrow has taken his creative prerogative and has Napoleon and Wellington meeting a day or so after the Battle of Waterloo. That meeting never took place.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. I used my iPad to google maps and battle maps of the various battles in the book. That made it easier to follow the story. The book is fairly long at twenty-three and a half hours. Jonathan Keeble does an excellent job narrating the book. Keeble narrated all four books. I have listened to him narrate many books over the years. He has a comfortable voice to listen to.
The book is well written and researched. Scarrow does an excellent job of placing the reader into the time frame of the story. Most of the story is historically accurate except for one item. Scarrow has taken his creative prerogative and has Napoleon and Wellington meeting a day or so after the Battle of Waterloo. That meeting never took place.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. I used my iPad to google maps and battle maps of the various battles in the book. That made it easier to follow the story. The book is fairly long at twenty-three and a half hours. Jonathan Keeble does an excellent job narrating the book. Keeble narrated all four books. I have listened to him narrate many books over the years. He has a comfortable voice to listen to.
July 10, 2017
-Remate a la serie.-
Género. Novela histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Campos de muerte (publicación original: The Fields of Death, 2010) nos lleva hasta la primavera de 1809, cuando Napoleón está coordinando la toma de Ratisbona mientras sus ojos y mente miran mucho más al este. Wellington sigue peleando en Portugal y pronto los acontecimientos le permitirán aumentar su fama. Cuarto y último libro de la saga Napoleón vs. Wellington.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
Género. Novela histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Campos de muerte (publicación original: The Fields of Death, 2010) nos lleva hasta la primavera de 1809, cuando Napoleón está coordinando la toma de Ratisbona mientras sus ojos y mente miran mucho más al este. Wellington sigue peleando en Portugal y pronto los acontecimientos le permitirán aumentar su fama. Cuarto y último libro de la saga Napoleón vs. Wellington.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
September 3, 2014
Excellent insight into the minds of two great generals who only meet in the final battle of Waterloo. Wellington came over as more humane than I imagined though he was quoted as describing his men as 'the scum of the earth' on one occasion. My only real criticism was the lack of maps. I would enjoy both plans of battlefields and wider maps of campaigns.
May 23, 2012
I generally avoid paperbacks that come in at 700 pages, but a friend gave this one to me, so I cleared my diary for a couple of weeks and sat down to read it.
The opening did not bode well. Napoleon is attacking "the Bohemian town of Ratisbon." Where was that? Bohemia? Ratisbon? It's hardly the best-known battle of the Napoleonic wars. Still, Napoleon soon explains its importance to his officers and to Scarrow's readers. "Gentlemen," he says, "Ratisbon must be taken if we are to cross the Danube and force the enemy to face us on the battlefield." Fortunately for us, Napoleon was apparently in the habit of providing quick summaries of the strategic underpinnings of his campaigns to his generals at regular intervals.
It's all too obvious that we are not about to read great literature. But Scarrow does succeed in sketching out the details of Wellington's peninsular campaign and some of Napoleon's greatest triumphs and disasters, culminating in the retreat from Moscow. Although I dimly remember having to study this period for O-level (back in the days when there were O-levels), I had never before understood how Napoleon was defeated and sent to Elba or how he had managed to come back so quickly to the position of Emperor. And, despite an interest in the period that has seen me visiting museums with detailed displays of the Battle of Waterloo, I had never really understood what the French were doing there or how the British defeated them. That I now have a much clearer understanding of military strategy and political manoeuvring in a critical period of European history is a credit to Scarrow's ability to inject some life into what is all too often taught as a boring and confused sequence of attacks and counter-attacks.
That is not to say that Scarrow always gets it right. There are occasional maps, but it's not at all clear why he has chosen to provide this kind of help for some battles and not others. Where there are no maps, the constant references to "advancing on the left flank," "falling back on the river," "cutting off their retreat to the south," and so on ad nauseam, is simply confusing to those who, like me, are neither military strategists nor the sort of people who easily draw maps in their heads. But even where the details of who is flanking whom can become obscure, the essential importance of breaking the enemy's line, the strength of the British "thin red line" compared to the columns used by Napoleon, the tactical use of artillery and the importance of cavalry are all clearly explained.
Occasionally, I was worried about the accuracy of some of the details. The ludicrously awful dialogue can draw attention to the fact that many of the meetings between Napoleon and his marshals are far from a precise report of what went on. Presumably Napoleon did not really summon his staff simply in order to tell them why a battle was important, before dismissing them with an assurance that their written orders would be with them soon. Obviously, the main reason for this scene has been so that we, the readers, can benefit from Napoleon's strategic overview. But Scarrow does suggest that Napoleon's failures after Elba were, at least in part, down to poor communication with some of his generals. So the question of how Napoleon did communicate with his generals is quite important and, to be brutally honest, I don't trust Scarrow's account of this. And, once doubt sets in, I begin to wonder about some more important things. Did Napoleon really attempt suicide once he realised that Paris was going to fall? Is his relationship with Josephine accurately portrayed? I have no idea. There are few historical notes at the end of the book which will allow me to judge how much is fact and how much fiction.
Where I am confident that Scarrow is getting it right is in his details of the battles themselves. The friend who gave it to me is in the Army, and this book must be an absolute delight for anybody who cares about the way the British fought in the Napoleonic wars.
Books like this occupy an uneasy ground between fact and fiction. I felt that I was reading mostly in order to improve my understanding of the period. The writing is clear and there is no doubt that Scarrow has done a good, workmanlike job. But we never really get into the heads of any of the characters. Scarrow tells us what they are thinking and how they feel, rather than allowing this to come out from their own behaviour. And his dialogue really is awful. On the other hand, I have read many accounts of battles of this period and come away little wiser than I was when I started. Having got to the end of this book, I am definitely much better informed than I was when I started. Writers of historical fiction are often dismissive of work such as this because it fails to meet any of the standards of style, characterisation and interpretation that many authors and critics value. But books like "The Fields of Death" should not be dismissed. They set out to tell us something about our history and they do it well. They are widely read by people who want to be better informed, but who do not want to spend their time in the dry wastes of the academic military historian. Simon Scarrow understands the needs of these readers and his books meet these needs. He is to be congratulated on a job well done.
The opening did not bode well. Napoleon is attacking "the Bohemian town of Ratisbon." Where was that? Bohemia? Ratisbon? It's hardly the best-known battle of the Napoleonic wars. Still, Napoleon soon explains its importance to his officers and to Scarrow's readers. "Gentlemen," he says, "Ratisbon must be taken if we are to cross the Danube and force the enemy to face us on the battlefield." Fortunately for us, Napoleon was apparently in the habit of providing quick summaries of the strategic underpinnings of his campaigns to his generals at regular intervals.
It's all too obvious that we are not about to read great literature. But Scarrow does succeed in sketching out the details of Wellington's peninsular campaign and some of Napoleon's greatest triumphs and disasters, culminating in the retreat from Moscow. Although I dimly remember having to study this period for O-level (back in the days when there were O-levels), I had never before understood how Napoleon was defeated and sent to Elba or how he had managed to come back so quickly to the position of Emperor. And, despite an interest in the period that has seen me visiting museums with detailed displays of the Battle of Waterloo, I had never really understood what the French were doing there or how the British defeated them. That I now have a much clearer understanding of military strategy and political manoeuvring in a critical period of European history is a credit to Scarrow's ability to inject some life into what is all too often taught as a boring and confused sequence of attacks and counter-attacks.
That is not to say that Scarrow always gets it right. There are occasional maps, but it's not at all clear why he has chosen to provide this kind of help for some battles and not others. Where there are no maps, the constant references to "advancing on the left flank," "falling back on the river," "cutting off their retreat to the south," and so on ad nauseam, is simply confusing to those who, like me, are neither military strategists nor the sort of people who easily draw maps in their heads. But even where the details of who is flanking whom can become obscure, the essential importance of breaking the enemy's line, the strength of the British "thin red line" compared to the columns used by Napoleon, the tactical use of artillery and the importance of cavalry are all clearly explained.
Occasionally, I was worried about the accuracy of some of the details. The ludicrously awful dialogue can draw attention to the fact that many of the meetings between Napoleon and his marshals are far from a precise report of what went on. Presumably Napoleon did not really summon his staff simply in order to tell them why a battle was important, before dismissing them with an assurance that their written orders would be with them soon. Obviously, the main reason for this scene has been so that we, the readers, can benefit from Napoleon's strategic overview. But Scarrow does suggest that Napoleon's failures after Elba were, at least in part, down to poor communication with some of his generals. So the question of how Napoleon did communicate with his generals is quite important and, to be brutally honest, I don't trust Scarrow's account of this. And, once doubt sets in, I begin to wonder about some more important things. Did Napoleon really attempt suicide once he realised that Paris was going to fall? Is his relationship with Josephine accurately portrayed? I have no idea. There are few historical notes at the end of the book which will allow me to judge how much is fact and how much fiction.
Where I am confident that Scarrow is getting it right is in his details of the battles themselves. The friend who gave it to me is in the Army, and this book must be an absolute delight for anybody who cares about the way the British fought in the Napoleonic wars.
Books like this occupy an uneasy ground between fact and fiction. I felt that I was reading mostly in order to improve my understanding of the period. The writing is clear and there is no doubt that Scarrow has done a good, workmanlike job. But we never really get into the heads of any of the characters. Scarrow tells us what they are thinking and how they feel, rather than allowing this to come out from their own behaviour. And his dialogue really is awful. On the other hand, I have read many accounts of battles of this period and come away little wiser than I was when I started. Having got to the end of this book, I am definitely much better informed than I was when I started. Writers of historical fiction are often dismissive of work such as this because it fails to meet any of the standards of style, characterisation and interpretation that many authors and critics value. But books like "The Fields of Death" should not be dismissed. They set out to tell us something about our history and they do it well. They are widely read by people who want to be better informed, but who do not want to spend their time in the dry wastes of the academic military historian. Simon Scarrow understands the needs of these readers and his books meet these needs. He is to be congratulated on a job well done.
May 10, 2017
This final chapter begins with Napoleon, who was hit in ankle in one of the battles in Spain. But after occupying Vienna there was crucial battle of Wagram, French victory. Even so there were moment like one of Marshal Lannes, who lost his both legs by cannon boll. And even he, ruler had dismissed Bernadotte from army during battle.
Emperor has child with countess Walewska at that time. But He divorced Josephine in order to get male hair or as he thought. So he marred Marie Louise.
Fouché was dismissed from his position for plotting with Talleyrand and willing to negotiate with English. Napoleon chose General Savary for his successor.
Also there was attempt for piece between France and Russia trough negotiations among Kurakin, Talleyrand and Napoleon. However it has led to nothing more than “Russian campaign of 1812 �. It was at that time that Napoleon, somehow has grown to appreciate Poles as allies and was demanding that east Lands of formal Poland has to be given back, by Russia.
So then, Wellington took charge of Spanish captain and fortunately, has won it. And if not minor miracles of General Eblé and Michel Ney or Marshal Poniatowski, no Frenchman would return from Russian Capain.
In addition, Metternich, just like Talleyrand, has beend advising Napoleon on stable, peace based European politics.
However, the best of these who served France and Napoleon has left him for exile as he had to abdicate because of his actions that has been War. Not for long though as he apparently appears again as French leader.
Napoleon started battle of waterloo with Polish Lancers alongside. And after all, he has remembered his friend from school years, Arthur who played violin at that time.
And finally, Napoleon has gone to final exile, at St. Hellena Island, and died after six years. Arthur, on the other hand, lived two more decades.
Thus my sympathies goes to Arthur.
Overall these series of books has been very good with historical accuracy.
Emperor has child with countess Walewska at that time. But He divorced Josephine in order to get male hair or as he thought. So he marred Marie Louise.
Fouché was dismissed from his position for plotting with Talleyrand and willing to negotiate with English. Napoleon chose General Savary for his successor.
Also there was attempt for piece between France and Russia trough negotiations among Kurakin, Talleyrand and Napoleon. However it has led to nothing more than “Russian campaign of 1812 �. It was at that time that Napoleon, somehow has grown to appreciate Poles as allies and was demanding that east Lands of formal Poland has to be given back, by Russia.
So then, Wellington took charge of Spanish captain and fortunately, has won it. And if not minor miracles of General Eblé and Michel Ney or Marshal Poniatowski, no Frenchman would return from Russian Capain.
In addition, Metternich, just like Talleyrand, has beend advising Napoleon on stable, peace based European politics.
However, the best of these who served France and Napoleon has left him for exile as he had to abdicate because of his actions that has been War. Not for long though as he apparently appears again as French leader.
Napoleon started battle of waterloo with Polish Lancers alongside. And after all, he has remembered his friend from school years, Arthur who played violin at that time.
And finally, Napoleon has gone to final exile, at St. Hellena Island, and died after six years. Arthur, on the other hand, lived two more decades.
Thus my sympathies goes to Arthur.
Overall these series of books has been very good with historical accuracy.
December 8, 2020
Scarrow does a great job of putting you into the time frame of this part of history (details of Wellington's peninsular campaign and some of Napoleon's greatest triumphs and disasters, culminating in the retreat from Moscow) with accuracy and also injects life into military details which could otherwise be very repetitive.
However, the characters are very wooden and the dialogue often laughably awful and I’m not sure how much outside of the battle scenes is completely historically accurate: the meeting the day after Waterloo taking place? Napoleon’s taking of poison? How his relationship with Josephine was portrayed? The bizarre meetings between Napoleon and his marshals after Elba (though perhaps that was serving to show miscommunication was a reason for his failures post Elba)? Nonetheless, there aren’t authors note to clear this up so I suppose a lot was creative license.
For adding life to military details (minus maps which I would have expected more of) it was good, as literature it was okay.
However, the characters are very wooden and the dialogue often laughably awful and I’m not sure how much outside of the battle scenes is completely historically accurate: the meeting the day after Waterloo taking place? Napoleon’s taking of poison? How his relationship with Josephine was portrayed? The bizarre meetings between Napoleon and his marshals after Elba (though perhaps that was serving to show miscommunication was a reason for his failures post Elba)? Nonetheless, there aren’t authors note to clear this up so I suppose a lot was creative license.
For adding life to military details (minus maps which I would have expected more of) it was good, as literature it was okay.
August 5, 2022
Impresionante cierre de la tetralogÃa Napoleón vs Wellington . Simon Scarrow demuestra con maestrÃa el dominio de la narración de batallas sin que estas se hagan largas ni pesadas al no ser un libro de historia militar. Punto imprescindible al tratarse de un libro que el 90% de la acción pasa en campos de batalla y donde la polÃtica y las intrigas de salón tienen mucha menos cabida que los anteriores.
Muy realista el trato de los personajes, tanto los principales como los secundarios para transportarte en el campo de batalla de Waterloo y hacer sentir al lector parte de la batalla, la continua transmisión de ordenes, los movimientos de tropas de los dos bandos, y la manera tan diferente de actuar de los dos protagonistas, Napoleón y Wellington, reflejo de dos modelos de nación que representaban.
Un colofón impecable a una obra que en todo momento sabe captar la atención del lector con la vida comparada de dos de los personajes históricos más importantes del siglo XIX.
Muy realista el trato de los personajes, tanto los principales como los secundarios para transportarte en el campo de batalla de Waterloo y hacer sentir al lector parte de la batalla, la continua transmisión de ordenes, los movimientos de tropas de los dos bandos, y la manera tan diferente de actuar de los dos protagonistas, Napoleón y Wellington, reflejo de dos modelos de nación que representaban.
Un colofón impecable a una obra que en todo momento sabe captar la atención del lector con la vida comparada de dos de los personajes históricos más importantes del siglo XIX.
March 3, 2025
Episodio final de la tetralogÃa de Napoleón y Wellington.
Poco que añadir a lo ya dicho en los anteriores. En este último, prácticamente una secuencia continua de batallas. Lo más destacable, la desastrosa campaña rusa de Napoleón, y los avances de Wellington en España. El final, ya lo conocemos: el final de Napoleón en Waterloo.
Por ponerle alguna pega, aunque en cierto modo lógica, al estar centrado en Napoleón y en Wellington, se habla poco de otras campañas de ejércitos aliados. Por ejemplo, la expulsión de los franceses de España parece que la hubiera hecho Wellington solito, apenas se mencionan las contribuciones del ejército español en batallas como la de Bailén, Pero aunque esté centrado en estos dos personajes, no habrÃa estado de más mencionar estos hechos por encima, como contexto.
En fin, en suma, una tetralogÃa larga pero amena, entretenido y de fácil lectura, que da una buena idea del contexto histórico de la época y de estas importantes figuras históricas. Recomendable.
Poco que añadir a lo ya dicho en los anteriores. En este último, prácticamente una secuencia continua de batallas. Lo más destacable, la desastrosa campaña rusa de Napoleón, y los avances de Wellington en España. El final, ya lo conocemos: el final de Napoleón en Waterloo.
Por ponerle alguna pega, aunque en cierto modo lógica, al estar centrado en Napoleón y en Wellington, se habla poco de otras campañas de ejércitos aliados. Por ejemplo, la expulsión de los franceses de España parece que la hubiera hecho Wellington solito, apenas se mencionan las contribuciones del ejército español en batallas como la de Bailén, Pero aunque esté centrado en estos dos personajes, no habrÃa estado de más mencionar estos hechos por encima, como contexto.
En fin, en suma, una tetralogÃa larga pero amena, entretenido y de fácil lectura, que da una buena idea del contexto histórico de la época y de estas importantes figuras históricas. Recomendable.
January 8, 2024
Und wieder geht es gegen die Österreicher. In Portugal und Spanien geraten die Franzosen in die Defensive. Nach dem Desaster des Russlandfeldzug zieht sich langsam die Schlinge um Napoleon zu.----- Unglaublich spannend wird hier die Herrschaft von Napoleon erzählt. Auch für jemanden der die Geschichte kennt ist es ein Fest hier zu lesen. Ich bin absolut begeistert von dieser Saga. Leider ist das hier der letzte Teil. 6 Punkte!
March 30, 2018
L'ultimo libro di questa avventura pazzesca. Un romanzo epico che non lascia scampo enti tiene incollato. Il finale lo sappiamo, ce lo dice la storia. Il resto a dircelo è Scarrow, in modo magistrale. L'ultimo ed il più bello di questa tetralogia. Consigliato senza dubbio!
April 26, 2020
História incrÃvel. Muito bem pesquisada e muitÃssimo bem contada. Inimaginável. Até se sente o cheiro da morte. Obrigado, Simon. Mesmo, muito obrigado. Sempre a aprender.
April 18, 2018
I started my march with Mr. Scarrow with one foot in Corsica and one in Protestant Ireland. Over 4 entertaining and educational his 4 volumes of the military ( political and social) lives of two of the most iconic figures in History and not just the Napoleonic Wars. This final volume is , in my opinion, the best of the lot. Having spent many hours (approximately 2800 pages which is 1200 more than the average King James Bible) I have learned much from Scarrow's quartet. The author describes both the aristocratic Arthur Wellesley (Duke, Lord, Field Marshall and , at first, a Welsley) and his peasant antagonist Napoleon Bonaparte (Buono Parte). He takes them from childhood to their final (and only) military confrontation at Waterloo.
Everyone interested in those mid-1800 years already knows the basics. But this book (combined with it's triplet siblings) brings alive not only the Battles of Jena, Leipzig & Borodino, but smaller and still vitally important clashes such as Ligny (Bony's last victory), Nosey (as Wellesley's rankers called him) in the pre-Napoleonic wars in the Anglo-Mysore and then the Peninsular War.
As in the first three volumes we have seen the two protagonist evolve. Upon each page we can find an increasing megalomania consuming the Emperor. He has come to the conclusion that he is France. Meanwhile the Duke of Wellington has become convinced that England (and his) enemy is not France but is, in fact Napoleon. And Arthur believes HE is the only one who can stem the tyrannical desires of his Empirical rival. The author has subtly led his readers into this extraordinary clash of titans.
Enough time is spent upon figures known through history and literature: the two Empresses, Talleyrand, Metternich, Kings & Tsars and the paths of armies including the War of General Winter on the once Grand Army. This book will scratch any itch from Europe 1800-to the 100 days -and ultimately the exile to St. Helena.
sparrow weaves this
Everyone interested in those mid-1800 years already knows the basics. But this book (combined with it's triplet siblings) brings alive not only the Battles of Jena, Leipzig & Borodino, but smaller and still vitally important clashes such as Ligny (Bony's last victory), Nosey (as Wellesley's rankers called him) in the pre-Napoleonic wars in the Anglo-Mysore and then the Peninsular War.
As in the first three volumes we have seen the two protagonist evolve. Upon each page we can find an increasing megalomania consuming the Emperor. He has come to the conclusion that he is France. Meanwhile the Duke of Wellington has become convinced that England (and his) enemy is not France but is, in fact Napoleon. And Arthur believes HE is the only one who can stem the tyrannical desires of his Empirical rival. The author has subtly led his readers into this extraordinary clash of titans.
Enough time is spent upon figures known through history and literature: the two Empresses, Talleyrand, Metternich, Kings & Tsars and the paths of armies including the War of General Winter on the once Grand Army. This book will scratch any itch from Europe 1800-to the 100 days -and ultimately the exile to St. Helena.
sparrow weaves this
March 9, 2021
great series from Simon Scarrow. Fully recommend it to anyone nitrated in Napoleon, Wellington and European history.
June 12, 2022
Cuarto y último libro de la tetralogÃa sobre Napoleón y Wellington.
Tras la campaña en España en la que Wellington juega un papel decisivo para apoyar la guerra de la independencia e ir debilitando a Francia, Napoleón centra sus esfuerzos en la campaña de Rusia que también terminará debilitando sus fuerzas en una durÃsima campaña de desgaste.
Tras la batalla de Leipzig, donde Napoleón sufrirá una nueva derrota llegará la decisiva y final batalla de Waterloo donde Wellington se enfrentará por fin cara a cara a Napoleón derrotándolo y llevándolo a su fin y destierro a la isla de Elba. Napoleón logró escapar de la isla y volver a hacerse con el poder pero apenas durante 100 dÃas.
Comentario aplicable a toda la saga:
De Napoleón destacarÃa su genialidad, su fuerza vital no exenta de una fuerte dosis de megalomanÃa. En una Francia en plena convulsión por la Revolución Francesa, Napoleón logró hacerse con el poder por sus propios méritos y astucia llegando a convertirse en emperador de Francia. No deja de ser algo contradictorio que la revolución que acabó con la monarquÃa absolutista terminara nombrando un Emperador. Luego Napoleón utilizó como motivación (o excusa) la expansión de los valores de la Revolución Francesa y el pensamiento ilustrado, a otros paÃses europeos para emprender una guerra que lo llevó a conquistar más de media Europa colmando asà sus ambiciones personales en paralelo, pero con coste de millones de vidas tanto de sus propios compatriotas como de otros europeos.
Su exceso de ambición, junto con el exceso de poder acumulado le terminaron conduciendo al fracaso. Por una parte por querer acometer empresas casi imposibles como la conquista de Rusia (el mismo error que cometerÃa dos siglos después Hitler), cuando su paÃs estaba exhausto después de tanta guerra, pese a sus éxitos y con un territorio inmenso imposible de controlar. Por otra parte porque el resto de paÃses liderados por Inglaterra se aliaron y y le hicieron frente buscando un re equilibrio de fuerzas.
Wellington es el arquetipo del noble inglés. Serio, disciplinado, clasista, fiel a su patria y sus principios, hasta llegar a traicionar sus propios sentimientos personales por mantener el honor y la palabra dada. En una Inglaterra dueña de los mares y el comercio y con el poderÃo económico basado en la explotación de sus colonias, que busca pararle los pies al francés que conquista más de media Europa. Un lÃder con un estilo muy distinto al de Napoleón, mucho menos carismático y más basado en el respeto por la jerarquÃa y la autoridad moral de las clases sociales altas en la sociedad inglesa.
Siendo Scarrow inglés se intuye una cierta idealización de Wellington frente a un trato más severo a la figura de Napoleón.
Tras la campaña en España en la que Wellington juega un papel decisivo para apoyar la guerra de la independencia e ir debilitando a Francia, Napoleón centra sus esfuerzos en la campaña de Rusia que también terminará debilitando sus fuerzas en una durÃsima campaña de desgaste.
Tras la batalla de Leipzig, donde Napoleón sufrirá una nueva derrota llegará la decisiva y final batalla de Waterloo donde Wellington se enfrentará por fin cara a cara a Napoleón derrotándolo y llevándolo a su fin y destierro a la isla de Elba. Napoleón logró escapar de la isla y volver a hacerse con el poder pero apenas durante 100 dÃas.
Comentario aplicable a toda la saga:
De Napoleón destacarÃa su genialidad, su fuerza vital no exenta de una fuerte dosis de megalomanÃa. En una Francia en plena convulsión por la Revolución Francesa, Napoleón logró hacerse con el poder por sus propios méritos y astucia llegando a convertirse en emperador de Francia. No deja de ser algo contradictorio que la revolución que acabó con la monarquÃa absolutista terminara nombrando un Emperador. Luego Napoleón utilizó como motivación (o excusa) la expansión de los valores de la Revolución Francesa y el pensamiento ilustrado, a otros paÃses europeos para emprender una guerra que lo llevó a conquistar más de media Europa colmando asà sus ambiciones personales en paralelo, pero con coste de millones de vidas tanto de sus propios compatriotas como de otros europeos.
Su exceso de ambición, junto con el exceso de poder acumulado le terminaron conduciendo al fracaso. Por una parte por querer acometer empresas casi imposibles como la conquista de Rusia (el mismo error que cometerÃa dos siglos después Hitler), cuando su paÃs estaba exhausto después de tanta guerra, pese a sus éxitos y con un territorio inmenso imposible de controlar. Por otra parte porque el resto de paÃses liderados por Inglaterra se aliaron y y le hicieron frente buscando un re equilibrio de fuerzas.
Wellington es el arquetipo del noble inglés. Serio, disciplinado, clasista, fiel a su patria y sus principios, hasta llegar a traicionar sus propios sentimientos personales por mantener el honor y la palabra dada. En una Inglaterra dueña de los mares y el comercio y con el poderÃo económico basado en la explotación de sus colonias, que busca pararle los pies al francés que conquista más de media Europa. Un lÃder con un estilo muy distinto al de Napoleón, mucho menos carismático y más basado en el respeto por la jerarquÃa y la autoridad moral de las clases sociales altas en la sociedad inglesa.
Siendo Scarrow inglés se intuye una cierta idealización de Wellington frente a un trato más severo a la figura de Napoleón.
September 16, 2018
L'ultimo campo di battaglia è il quarto volume della Revolution Saga.
La breve opinione che segue riguarda i volumi tre e quattro:
A ferro e fuoco
L'ultimo campo di battaglia
Se siete arrivati fino a qui, non dovete darvi per vinti. Leggere il terzo e quarto volume della Revolution Saga completerà il vostro corso di formazione e sarete in grado di intrattenere i vostri amici con aneddoti e racconti di battaglie che alla fine vi guarderanno come se foste la Yourcenar. Più o meno.
Mi sono dilungato sullo stile di Scarrow e sui suoi limiti nella rencesione dei libri uno/due, quindi non rimane che rispondere alla domanda più ovvia: "Vado avanti? Come va a finire?"
Beh, diciamo che si procede con la conquista dell'Europa e si finisce con Waterloo, cioè Napoleone viene sconfitto e tanti saluti.
Nel terzo volume c'è la battaglia di Trafalgar, ovvero il motivo per cui oggi nè io nè voi parliamo francese: Nelson sconfigge la flotta francese, Napoleone non può invadere l'Inghilterra e adesso a Londra non si spalma il Roquefort ovunque. Poi c'è Austerliz, uno dei capolavori di Napoleone, che però nel frattempo è diventato imperatore e inizia a sviluppare quel prurito incontenibile di onnipotenza che alla fine sarà la sua rovina.
Wellington è il personaggio sviluppato con più cura, ovvero si assiste alla sua completa trasformazione in stratega militare, uomo dotato di perfetto autocontrollo, impassibile, estremamente esigente con le sue truppe, che devono essere addestrate con successo. Vi ricordo che Wellington è uno dei pochi generali che non è praticamente mai stato sconfitto. Era bravo, ma poi tutti si ricordano di Napoleone perchè diventa imperatore e fa il bullo con gli austriaci, i prussiani e i russi. E li sconfigge "quasi" tutti.
Eh già , perchè mentre Wellington sbarca in Europa (Portogallo), a Napoleone viene l'ideona di invadere la Russia. Si porta dietro 600.000 uomini (si, seicentomila) e sapete come va a finire. Se non lo sapete, chiudete qui e andate subito a leggere!
Vi dico la cosa più importate: ho iniziato a leggere questi quattro libri perchè ero rimasto affascinato da un documentario su Waterloo. Ebbene, quando sono arrivato alla battaglia di Waterloo mi sono reso conto che era la cosa che mi interessava di meno. Napoleone combatte Waterloo nel momento meno audace della sua storia, dopo avere perso i migliori generali e soldati della Grande Armata, senza la cavalleria di Murat e con lo spirito scheggiato, indebolito dagli eventi. Insomma, Waterloo è solo la fine, ma - signori miei - il bello è tutto il resto. Napoleone e Wellignton vi rimarranno in testa per un pò, ve lo assicuro.
La breve opinione che segue riguarda i volumi tre e quattro:
A ferro e fuoco
L'ultimo campo di battaglia
Se siete arrivati fino a qui, non dovete darvi per vinti. Leggere il terzo e quarto volume della Revolution Saga completerà il vostro corso di formazione e sarete in grado di intrattenere i vostri amici con aneddoti e racconti di battaglie che alla fine vi guarderanno come se foste la Yourcenar. Più o meno.
Mi sono dilungato sullo stile di Scarrow e sui suoi limiti nella rencesione dei libri uno/due, quindi non rimane che rispondere alla domanda più ovvia: "Vado avanti? Come va a finire?"
Beh, diciamo che si procede con la conquista dell'Europa e si finisce con Waterloo, cioè Napoleone viene sconfitto e tanti saluti.
Nel terzo volume c'è la battaglia di Trafalgar, ovvero il motivo per cui oggi nè io nè voi parliamo francese: Nelson sconfigge la flotta francese, Napoleone non può invadere l'Inghilterra e adesso a Londra non si spalma il Roquefort ovunque. Poi c'è Austerliz, uno dei capolavori di Napoleone, che però nel frattempo è diventato imperatore e inizia a sviluppare quel prurito incontenibile di onnipotenza che alla fine sarà la sua rovina.
Wellington è il personaggio sviluppato con più cura, ovvero si assiste alla sua completa trasformazione in stratega militare, uomo dotato di perfetto autocontrollo, impassibile, estremamente esigente con le sue truppe, che devono essere addestrate con successo. Vi ricordo che Wellington è uno dei pochi generali che non è praticamente mai stato sconfitto. Era bravo, ma poi tutti si ricordano di Napoleone perchè diventa imperatore e fa il bullo con gli austriaci, i prussiani e i russi. E li sconfigge "quasi" tutti.
Eh già , perchè mentre Wellington sbarca in Europa (Portogallo), a Napoleone viene l'ideona di invadere la Russia. Si porta dietro 600.000 uomini (si, seicentomila) e sapete come va a finire. Se non lo sapete, chiudete qui e andate subito a leggere!
Vi dico la cosa più importate: ho iniziato a leggere questi quattro libri perchè ero rimasto affascinato da un documentario su Waterloo. Ebbene, quando sono arrivato alla battaglia di Waterloo mi sono reso conto che era la cosa che mi interessava di meno. Napoleone combatte Waterloo nel momento meno audace della sua storia, dopo avere perso i migliori generali e soldati della Grande Armata, senza la cavalleria di Murat e con lo spirito scheggiato, indebolito dagli eventi. Insomma, Waterloo è solo la fine, ma - signori miei - il bello è tutto il resto. Napoleone e Wellignton vi rimarranno in testa per un pò, ve lo assicuro.
August 4, 2019
I was in a good position to read this series as I didn't really know the history of Napoleon or Wellington. Yes I had heard of Austerlitz and Waterloo as the decisive battles. Yes I had seen the picture of Napoleon with the Sphinx in Egypt. Yes I knew that Napoleon took Moscow but his army struggled with the Russian winter. Yes I knew that Napoleon started out as an artillery officer. Yes I had heard the quote that "an army marches on its stomach". I didn't know how Napoleon rose to power in post revolution France.
Most of the intricate details I didn't know, which meant that this could play out as a mostly unknown story for me, so there were limited spoilers as such. That means I don't know where the glaring untruths are.
I also now understand why there are towns called Picton and Nelson near the city that I grew up in, Wellington (New Zealand).
From what I know, the characterisation of Napoleon and Wellington seem bang on:
The haughty, willful, almost regal (while staunchly anti aristocracy), upstart of an emperor versus the humble, stoic, worked his way up from the low ranks, third son of a wilting house, impoverished noble. The contrasting opposing characters is well done here.
In general, I thoroughly enjoyed these books. As it drew to a close, I had hoped that there would be an epilogue with Napoleon on St Helena where he could ruminate over his achievements and failures. Not allowing Napoleon some final thoughts I think is a shame. The last couple of chapters wrap the story up hastily, perhaps a little too hastily. I see that Arthur and Kitty actually divorced later (thanks Wikipedia).
That said, hats off to Simon Scarrow for bringing this massive story to life. I'd like to see him tackle more short series like this. Oh, and Jonathan Keeble's narration is terrific.
Most of the intricate details I didn't know, which meant that this could play out as a mostly unknown story for me, so there were limited spoilers as such. That means I don't know where the glaring untruths are.
I also now understand why there are towns called Picton and Nelson near the city that I grew up in, Wellington (New Zealand).
From what I know, the characterisation of Napoleon and Wellington seem bang on:
The haughty, willful, almost regal (while staunchly anti aristocracy), upstart of an emperor versus the humble, stoic, worked his way up from the low ranks, third son of a wilting house, impoverished noble. The contrasting opposing characters is well done here.
In general, I thoroughly enjoyed these books. As it drew to a close, I had hoped that there would be an epilogue with Napoleon on St Helena where he could ruminate over his achievements and failures. Not allowing Napoleon some final thoughts I think is a shame. The last couple of chapters wrap the story up hastily, perhaps a little too hastily. I see that Arthur and Kitty actually divorced later (thanks Wikipedia).
That said, hats off to Simon Scarrow for bringing this massive story to life. I'd like to see him tackle more short series like this. Oh, and Jonathan Keeble's narration is terrific.
January 27, 2024
Such an excellent book to conclude the series. Scarrow presents the fascinating story of the development of both Napoleon and Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) throughout their careers. The fourth book works through Wellesley's victories through Spain and into France while Napoleon's invincibility begins to fade and then is shattered in his trip to Russia. After Napoleon's eventual abdication and subsequent escape from Elba, Wellesley defeats Napoleon at Waterloo.
Scarrow's presentation of both Napoleon and Wellesley gives vivid representations of their character. His presentation of Wellesley seems like it must be hagiographic because of how perfect a human Wellesley seems to be--always just, fair, measured, tactically brilliant, temperant, and constantly seeking the defeat of the tyrant. Perhaps, though, Wellesley was the perfect man for the perfect time in Europoean history.
Also, Jonathan Keeble's audio narration is outstanding. He's one of the best.
Other thoughts...In many ways Napoleon seems like a pre-Hitler, a Corsican who takes advantage of a disastrous situation in France to become emperor of France and begins to attack all the nations of Europe under the guise of self-defense. He manipulates the media with propaganda to protect his rule and exercises tyranny and despotism to propagate fear in his enemies. He makes a disastrous invasion of Russia and then is defeated by an allied force led by strong leader. In all this, Napoleon's lust for power causes millions to lose their lives.
Scarrow's presentation of both Napoleon and Wellesley gives vivid representations of their character. His presentation of Wellesley seems like it must be hagiographic because of how perfect a human Wellesley seems to be--always just, fair, measured, tactically brilliant, temperant, and constantly seeking the defeat of the tyrant. Perhaps, though, Wellesley was the perfect man for the perfect time in Europoean history.
Also, Jonathan Keeble's audio narration is outstanding. He's one of the best.
Other thoughts...In many ways Napoleon seems like a pre-Hitler, a Corsican who takes advantage of a disastrous situation in France to become emperor of France and begins to attack all the nations of Europe under the guise of self-defense. He manipulates the media with propaganda to protect his rule and exercises tyranny and despotism to propagate fear in his enemies. He makes a disastrous invasion of Russia and then is defeated by an allied force led by strong leader. In all this, Napoleon's lust for power causes millions to lose their lives.
February 7, 2019
The series comes to a satisfying end as it charts the last years of the Napoleonic Wars. Scarrow makes no secret of having been influenced by authors such as Patrick O'Brian and this series could easily be a land-based companion to Aubrey-Maturin. Indeed, if you take this series as focussing on the leaders and upper classes of the respective armies, you could throw in Cornwell's Sharpe series as representing the ordinary soldiers and between the three you get a decent sense of the whole picture.
And I learnt from these books too - I have to admit that prior to reading the series, my knowledge of the land campaigns was fairly minimal apart from the basics. This book covers both Wellington's campaigns in Iberia and Napoleon's invasion of Russia as well as the run-up to Waterloo. I like that we delve into the psychology of them both - Napoleon unable to contemplate being wrong while Wellington still struggles to gain the support of the British politicians despite his growing reputation. It's interesting to see how both sides viewed things - and where luck or mistakes played key roles. Inevitably, with such a lot to cover, there are times when you would like to know more instead of skipping over parts, but I can always research things later on my own.
A large hardback like this one hurts my hands when I hold it for a long time, but it is worth that small pain to read such a fascinating novel.
And I learnt from these books too - I have to admit that prior to reading the series, my knowledge of the land campaigns was fairly minimal apart from the basics. This book covers both Wellington's campaigns in Iberia and Napoleon's invasion of Russia as well as the run-up to Waterloo. I like that we delve into the psychology of them both - Napoleon unable to contemplate being wrong while Wellington still struggles to gain the support of the British politicians despite his growing reputation. It's interesting to see how both sides viewed things - and where luck or mistakes played key roles. Inevitably, with such a lot to cover, there are times when you would like to know more instead of skipping over parts, but I can always research things later on my own.
A large hardback like this one hurts my hands when I hold it for a long time, but it is worth that small pain to read such a fascinating novel.
September 7, 2022
THE FIELDS OF DEATH is a must read, especially if your knowledge of the Napoleonic Wars is sketchy as is mine. The author gives us that fateful confrontation at Waterloo with an insightful interpretation of both Wellington and Napoleon. After Napoleon's escape from Elba in early 1815, he was able to raise a new army with the intention of "crushing" Wellington for good. At Waterloo, we find the cautiously persistent Wellington in a fight to the finish with the odds seemingly in favor for Napoleon. Wellington came with the anglo-allied forces and was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the larger Prussian Army led by the aging Field Marshal von Bluecher. The outcome is not assured until the very end as Wellington himself observed: "The nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life." Bluecher had been severely wounded on his way to Waterloo, but after being "fortified with schnapps and liniment," he rallied his soldiers reminding them of his promise to come to Wellington's aid. The Prussians arrived just in time to give life support to the allies. The casualties were staggering as both Wellington and Bonaparte sacrificed infantry and cavalry to win. It is said that Wellington wept when he learned of the "butcher's bill."
Wellington is forever remembered for the victory at Waterloo as is Horatio Nelson for Trafalgar. It is regrettable that von Bluecher who actually saved the day has received scant recognition for his heroic efforts.
Wellington is forever remembered for the victory at Waterloo as is Horatio Nelson for Trafalgar. It is regrettable that von Bluecher who actually saved the day has received scant recognition for his heroic efforts.
December 20, 2017
Almost 700 pages, but it moves fast and it takes you to the end of Napoleon's adventures as well as those of the Duke of Wellington. War wasn't pretty in those days - not that it is now - and Scarrow makes sure all the bloody, gory details are related to the reader. The best way to read this series is to read them in order, one right after the other - it's kind of like reading War and Peace if you do it that way - but you have a sense of continuity and you stay interested. Before Waterloo - there was Spain and the Iberian Peninsula for Wellington and the ill-fated Russian campaign for Bonaparte. Eventually, the two met up at Waterloo and the rest as they say, is history.
Having read Bernard Cornwell's non-fiction rendering of the epic battle, it was amazing how much Scarrow stuck to the facts when it came to people, places and events. In this genre, that's the mark of a good author, they only embellish where they need to and don't create new battles, new locations and the like.
The whole series is highly recommended and if you've read Scarrow's other works centered around ancient Rome, you'll be pleased to see he's able to deal with other historical periods as well and make them just as realistic.
Having read Bernard Cornwell's non-fiction rendering of the epic battle, it was amazing how much Scarrow stuck to the facts when it came to people, places and events. In this genre, that's the mark of a good author, they only embellish where they need to and don't create new battles, new locations and the like.
The whole series is highly recommended and if you've read Scarrow's other works centered around ancient Rome, you'll be pleased to see he's able to deal with other historical periods as well and make them just as realistic.
October 8, 2024
La tetralogÃa "Revolución" ha sido una lectura entretenida a lo largo del último año, aunque este último libro me ha decepcionado por lo poco tratadas que están las vidas personales de los protagonistas en comparación con su ambiente bélico.
Creo que tras haber desarrollado tanto las relaciones de Napoleón y Wellington con Josefina y Kitty Pakenham en los anteriores libros, que esta entrega no les dé a ninguna de ellas una resolución trabajada hace que la novela se sienta incompleta.
Aun asÃ, agradezco que Scarrow haya otorgado más acción a la trama de Wellington, aunque pierda su encanto polÃtico. La decadencia de Napoleón también está contada notablemente, pese a que la continúa narración de batallas puede hacerse ocasionalmente tediosa.
El encuentro ficticio entre Napoleón y Wellington es muy interesante, pero se siente demasiado simple dado su potencial. PodrÃa haberse tratado de un clÃmax excelente para la novela en vez del exilio de Napoleón (aunque sabe plasmar la angustia del militar perfectamente).
En resumen, un entretenido cierre para una saga que en general tenÃa potencial para ser más, pero que es eficiente y está ágilmente escrita igualmente. Los retratos de Napoleón y Wellington son muy verosÃmiles con sus contrapartes históricas.
Creo que tras haber desarrollado tanto las relaciones de Napoleón y Wellington con Josefina y Kitty Pakenham en los anteriores libros, que esta entrega no les dé a ninguna de ellas una resolución trabajada hace que la novela se sienta incompleta.
Aun asÃ, agradezco que Scarrow haya otorgado más acción a la trama de Wellington, aunque pierda su encanto polÃtico. La decadencia de Napoleón también está contada notablemente, pese a que la continúa narración de batallas puede hacerse ocasionalmente tediosa.
El encuentro ficticio entre Napoleón y Wellington es muy interesante, pero se siente demasiado simple dado su potencial. PodrÃa haberse tratado de un clÃmax excelente para la novela en vez del exilio de Napoleón (aunque sabe plasmar la angustia del militar perfectamente).
En resumen, un entretenido cierre para una saga que en general tenÃa potencial para ser más, pero que es eficiente y está ágilmente escrita igualmente. Los retratos de Napoleón y Wellington son muy verosÃmiles con sus contrapartes históricas.
March 9, 2018
This was a satisfying conclusion to a very well written series. If you are interested in military history or just history in general than I would highly recommend this series. I really enjoyed the way that Simon Scarrow presented the two main characters throughout this series, allowing the reader to get a better understanding of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as Arthur Wesley AKA The Duke Of Wellington. It is an amazing insight into the thought process of Napoleon, from book one were you can empathize with his frustration about not being able to advance in life because of his low birth, to book four where he has become a tyrant that doesn’t listen to anyone and believes he is invincible. It is also interesting to think about what could have been. If Napoleon had not declared war on all Europe and had been content with just France. What if Napoleon had come to America instead of going to battle at Waterloo?
Overall this was a very good series and I would recommend it to fans of military history.
Overall this was a very good series and I would recommend it to fans of military history.
December 15, 2020
Finished today the 4th volume of the series and didn't like it. The first volume was great, I rated it with 5 stars. The second was good... on the third things changed dramatically. Simon Scarrow started revealing all his bias. Wellington became gradually an hero, Napoleon a villain. The British allies, useless. He still writes beautifully, but this line became annoying, specially if the reader is not British.
This book could be a case study for victor's written history. It made me really uncomfortable. So much crap. And I am not even French. As a Portuguese I couldn't avoid to notice that the author couldn't even get a Portuguese name for a Portuguese character. Basic research, wouldn't it be?
Another issue, at least for me, it the length of battles descriptions. Some readers may find this a positive thing and I fully respect that. For me, if I am interested in learning about the battles, I rather pick a book of Military History and read about them without the novelesque element.
This book could be a case study for victor's written history. It made me really uncomfortable. So much crap. And I am not even French. As a Portuguese I couldn't avoid to notice that the author couldn't even get a Portuguese name for a Portuguese character. Basic research, wouldn't it be?
Another issue, at least for me, it the length of battles descriptions. Some readers may find this a positive thing and I fully respect that. For me, if I am interested in learning about the battles, I rather pick a book of Military History and read about them without the novelesque element.
August 27, 2024
The French Invasions were an important event in the world, taking importance at France, Portugal and other Locations.
Following the way of Arthur Wellesley, Napoleon Bonaparte and other characters important to the story.
This part of the story has Arthur planning his way to fight Napoleon and understanding his way of planning, and vice versa, with their alliances.
The book is a part of a series of books, about Arthur Wellesley and Napoleon Bonaparte, in this being 4th and last one.
Seguindo as invasões francesas e as personagens caracterÃsticas da época, Arthur Wellesley, os Generais que o seguem, Napoleão Bonaparte, também com pessoas fiéis a seu lado, entre outros.
O leitor vai perceber como se procederam as estratégias.
Começando em locais fora de Portugal, passando por diversos locais importantes de Portugal e avançando para a Grande Batalha de Waterloo.
Como ponto assente e paÃses em destaque na história, temos a Inglaterra, a França e Portugal.
Este é o 4° livro de uma série, do mesmo autor, que fala sobre a vida militar de Arthur Wellesley e de Napoleão Bonaparte.
Following the way of Arthur Wellesley, Napoleon Bonaparte and other characters important to the story.
This part of the story has Arthur planning his way to fight Napoleon and understanding his way of planning, and vice versa, with their alliances.
The book is a part of a series of books, about Arthur Wellesley and Napoleon Bonaparte, in this being 4th and last one.
Seguindo as invasões francesas e as personagens caracterÃsticas da época, Arthur Wellesley, os Generais que o seguem, Napoleão Bonaparte, também com pessoas fiéis a seu lado, entre outros.
O leitor vai perceber como se procederam as estratégias.
Começando em locais fora de Portugal, passando por diversos locais importantes de Portugal e avançando para a Grande Batalha de Waterloo.
Como ponto assente e paÃses em destaque na história, temos a Inglaterra, a França e Portugal.
Este é o 4° livro de uma série, do mesmo autor, que fala sobre a vida militar de Arthur Wellesley e de Napoleão Bonaparte.
June 1, 2022
In my opinion, comfortably the worst of the series.
The first 300-400 so pages nothing happened. Literally nothing. People sat around, talking, then armies retreating so that they didnt have the fight. These could have been compressed in to 200 pages tops. Then, with less than 200 pages to go, the story got going, until the battle of Waterloo, one of the most famous battles in history, was all over in around 30 pages when it could have done with being double that.
Its like Simon Scarrow forgot he was finishing the series in this book, then realised he only had a few more pages to get the story told.
I was also frustrated by his over reliance on the exclamation 'Good God'. Every time something happened, a character would say 'Good God'. It happened so often, it felt like it was written twice on every page.
Its a decent series, quite enjoyable, and interesting. But I've a feeling Conn Iggulden would have done a better job of telling it...
The first 300-400 so pages nothing happened. Literally nothing. People sat around, talking, then armies retreating so that they didnt have the fight. These could have been compressed in to 200 pages tops. Then, with less than 200 pages to go, the story got going, until the battle of Waterloo, one of the most famous battles in history, was all over in around 30 pages when it could have done with being double that.
Its like Simon Scarrow forgot he was finishing the series in this book, then realised he only had a few more pages to get the story told.
I was also frustrated by his over reliance on the exclamation 'Good God'. Every time something happened, a character would say 'Good God'. It happened so often, it felt like it was written twice on every page.
Its a decent series, quite enjoyable, and interesting. But I've a feeling Conn Iggulden would have done a better job of telling it...
December 27, 2024
Und dann ist auch der letzte Band der Napoleon Saga gelesen. Dieser stand den Vorhergehenden in nichts nach. Napoleon muss harte Rückschläge einstecken - die Frankreich an den Rand der Niederlage bringen. Arthur Wellington dagegen kann in Spanien ein ums andere Mal zeigen, das mit ihm zu rechnen ist. Napoleon unterschätzt den britischen General bis es zur Schlacht von Waterloo kommt bei der sich beide Generäle gegenüberstehen. Simon Scarrow vermittelt ein sehr authentisches Weltbild, dass Parallelen auch zur heutigen Gesellschaft erkennen lässt. Seine beschriebenen Szenen erschaffen eine lebendige Welt, die im Kopf bleibt. Ein großartiges Meisterwerk und ein würdiges Lesefinale in 2024.
October 17, 2020
Quarto ed ultimo libro del ciclo che parla di due grandi avversari: Napoleone e Wellesley. In questo romanzo si chiude tutto il cerchio con l’ascesa sempre più netta del duca di Wellington, con vittorie nette prima nella penisola iberica e poi nel cuore dell’Europa, e la caduta dell’imperatore francese con la famigerata campagna di Russia, l’esilio all’Elba e la battaglia di Waterloo.
Inutile dire che io facevo il tifo per Wellesley che tra i due protagonisti era quello che preferivo per come l’autore l’ha presentato. Le scene delle battaglie sono scritte in modo accurato e coinvolgente.
Inutile dire che io facevo il tifo per Wellesley che tra i due protagonisti era quello che preferivo per come l’autore l’ha presentato. Le scene delle battaglie sono scritte in modo accurato e coinvolgente.
December 7, 2021
5 star /
92%
The culmination of the series. The final chapter in a very very long chronicle of the Duke of Wellington and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and what a final chapter it was.
It was actually possibly almost my favourite one of the series, behind The Generals. It started with battle after battle, the attrition of both sides becoming apparent before the French Empire's disastrous Russian campaign, before the political nightmare that was the final act.
Despite seeming fairly samey near the beginning, it is a surprisingly refreshing conclusion.
92%
The culmination of the series. The final chapter in a very very long chronicle of the Duke of Wellington and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and what a final chapter it was.
It was actually possibly almost my favourite one of the series, behind The Generals. It started with battle after battle, the attrition of both sides becoming apparent before the French Empire's disastrous Russian campaign, before the political nightmare that was the final act.
Despite seeming fairly samey near the beginning, it is a surprisingly refreshing conclusion.
April 13, 2024
Although I enjoyed this series and found it interesting I did think this last volume was a bit of a slog. The book was nearly 700 pages long and only the last 100 or do actually dealt with the battle of Waterloo.
I also found the description of the battle a little sketchy with a lot less detail than some of the earlier minor battles were given. That said it was once again an interesting read showing two of the 18th & 19th centuries most talented generals in all their glory and in the case of one of them vain glory.
I also found the description of the battle a little sketchy with a lot less detail than some of the earlier minor battles were given. That said it was once again an interesting read showing two of the 18th & 19th centuries most talented generals in all their glory and in the case of one of them vain glory.
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