Book dossier

Napoleon and his marshals

by A. G. Macdonell

Napoleon Bonaparte entered the world stage in 1793 at the siege of Toulon. This book covers the period of 1796 to 1815, from Napoleon's classic victories in Italy up to the point of his defeat at Waterloo. Napoleon created twenty-six Marshals in all and the tapestry of the book is wound around these men, their inter-personal relationships, their successes together, their constant bickering and their eventual failure. With Marshal jostling with Marshal for power and influence, to say nothing of aggrandisement, it is surprising that Napoleon succeeded to the extent that he did. The book tells the complete story of the Napoleonic Wars using the Marshals as the pivot around which the narrative unfolds. It presents a different and interesting focus, enabling the reader to see Napoleon from an unusual angle. The book proceeds chronologically providing a first-class read and a superb account of the Napoleonic Wars.