Alan Schom
- Published in print:
- 1993
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195081770
- eISBN:
- 9780199854400
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Discontinued
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195081770.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Military History
On February 26, 1815, Napoleon, exiled Emperor of France—now dressed in a simple green uniform as Colonel of the Grenadiers—stepped aboard the brig LʼInconstant to the wildly enthusiastic cheers of ...
More
On February 26, 1815, Napoleon, exiled Emperor of France—now dressed in a simple green uniform as Colonel of the Grenadiers—stepped aboard the brig LʼInconstant to the wildly enthusiastic cheers of his Elban subjects. Three days later, having barely avoided a British warship and a French naval vessel loyal to the Crown, LʼInconstant traded the white flag of Elba for the French Tricolor as the rocky coast of the Cap d'Antibes came into view. With his return to French soil, accompanied only by a small force of one thousand men, Napoleon had set into motion the momentous events that would, over the next one hundred days, propel Europe once again into total war, ending only with the routing at Waterloo of the seemingly invincible Grande Armee, and Napoleon's final exile on St. Helena. This book is an account of Napoleon's final campaign. It offers a look at Napoleon's final months as one of the most feared—and revered—men in Europe, as well as portraits of the many personalities who surrounded him. The book is based on research from little-known diaries, memoirs, military dispatches, and letters to allow this diverse cast of characters, whenever possible, to speak for themselves. The book brings to life all of Napoleon's generals, his enemies, his ministers, even the common soldiers who fought in the apocalyptic showdown in Belgium. And, of course, there is the omnipresent figure of Napoleon himself.Less
On February 26, 1815, Napoleon, exiled Emperor of France—now dressed in a simple green uniform as Colonel of the Grenadiers—stepped aboard the brig LʼInconstant to the wildly enthusiastic cheers of his Elban subjects. Three days later, having barely avoided a British warship and a French naval vessel loyal to the Crown, LʼInconstant traded the white flag of Elba for the French Tricolor as the rocky coast of the Cap d'Antibes came into view. With his return to French soil, accompanied only by a small force of one thousand men, Napoleon had set into motion the momentous events that would, over the next one hundred days, propel Europe once again into total war, ending only with the routing at Waterloo of the seemingly invincible Grande Armee, and Napoleon's final exile on St. Helena. This book is an account of Napoleon's final campaign. It offers a look at Napoleon's final months as one of the most feared—and revered—men in Europe, as well as portraits of the many personalities who surrounded him. The book is based on research from little-known diaries, memoirs, military dispatches, and letters to allow this diverse cast of characters, whenever possible, to speak for themselves. The book brings to life all of Napoleon's generals, his enemies, his ministers, even the common soldiers who fought in the apocalyptic showdown in Belgium. And, of course, there is the omnipresent figure of Napoleon himself.
