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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-306-80757-2
ISBN-13: 9780306807572
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Country:
Year: March 21, 1997
Size: 9.14 x 23.11 x 5.59cm
Number of pages: 784
Weight: 1,043gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-306-80757-2
ISBN-13: 9780306807572
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Country:
Year: March 21, 1997
Size: 9.14 x 23.11 x 5.59cm
Number of pages: 784
Weight: 1,043gr
Binding: Paperback
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description
Product Description
This authoritative, comprehensive, and enthralling book describes and analyzes Napoleon's most powerful weapon—the Grande Armée which at its peak numbered over a million soldiers. Elting examines every facet of this incredibly complex human machine: its organization, command system, logistics, weapons, tactics, discipline, recreation, mobile hospitals, camp followers, and more. From the army's formation out of the turmoil of Revolutionary France through its swift conquests of vast territories across Europe to its legendary death at Waterloo, this book uses excerpts from soldiers' letters, eyewitness accounts, and numerous firsthand details to place the reader in the boots of Napoleon's conscripts and generals. In Elting's masterful hands the experience is truly unforgettable.
reviews
Informative and Interesting 
This is an excellent book, both informative and interesting. Even while discussing rather dry topics, the author manages to work in humourous anecdotes or observations. It is important to understand that this book is not a narrative history of Napoleon's campaigns--rather, it is broken down into chapters which describe various aspects of Napoleon's army--the guard, foreign units, allied units, supply organization, cavalry, artillery, and many many others; for each chapter/topic, the author describes the pre-Napoleonic context, as well as developments under Napoleon.
This is an excellent book, both informative and interesting. Even while discussing rather dry topics, the author manages to work in humourous anecdotes or observations. It is important to understand that this book is not a narrative history of Napoleon's campaigns--rather, it is broken down into chapters which describe various aspects of Napoleon's army--the guard, foreign units, allied units, supply organization, cavalry, artillery, and many many others; for each chapter/topic, the author describes the pre-Napoleonic context, as well as developments under Napoleon.
Generalization 
The problem with thick books that try to capture large subjects is that they must generalize and leave out a lot of data, and here there is no difference. If you are looking of a general overview of the Grande Armee during more then two decades of the French First Republic and Empire, this book will inform. However it is not meant to provide or be a definitive statement on any of the topics discussed in the chapters. Its a guide, rather then a scholarly work. This is particularly true where armies other then French are discussed, or where equal space has been given to its largest corps, the Infantry or Cavalry. Other works dealing with specific areas should be consulted after readin this work.
The problem with thick books that try to capture large subjects is that they must generalize and leave out a lot of data, and here there is no difference. If you are looking of a general overview of the Grande Armee during more then two decades of the French First Republic and Empire, this book will inform. However it is not meant to provide or be a definitive statement on any of the topics discussed in the chapters. Its a guide, rather then a scholarly work. This is particularly true where armies other then French are discussed, or where equal space has been given to its largest corps, the Infantry or Cavalry. Other works dealing with specific areas should be consulted after readin this work.
Not the typical Napoleon biography 
Swords Around a Throne is not your typical Napoleon book. Elting concentrates on topics which MAY rate a sentence or paragraph in other biographies. Elting concentrates on the different divisions of the Grand Armée including uniforms, in-depth looks at his marshals and the navy instead of regurgitating the different battles he fought. Swords Around a Throne is a good change of pace to the other biographies of Napoleon as it provides a different aspect to the Napoleonic Wars and his empire. Well worth the time to read.
Swords Around a Throne is not your typical Napoleon book. Elting concentrates on topics which MAY rate a sentence or paragraph in other biographies. Elting concentrates on the different divisions of the Grand Armée including uniforms, in-depth looks at his marshals and the navy instead of regurgitating the different battles he fought. Swords Around a Throne is a good change of pace to the other biographies of Napoleon as it provides a different aspect to the Napoleonic Wars and his empire. Well worth the time to read.
Best Overview of Grande Armee
I've just finished reading Mr Elting's Swords Around A Throne. I found the whole book facinating, from the tough Grognards of the Imperial Guard to the train and supply troops and the final chapters on the Bourbon army (a misnomer perhaps to call them an army!)a throughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended!
I've just finished reading Mr Elting's Swords Around A Throne. I found the whole book facinating, from the tough Grognards of the Imperial Guard to the train and supply troops and the final chapters on the Bourbon army (a misnomer perhaps to call them an army!)a throughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended!
Good Reference Work
This is a review of the 1988 edition, which I checked out of the library. If you are reading a chronological history of Napoleon, this is a good side volume for looking up information on the units discussed in those kinds of texts, for instance, if you want to know what a grenadier uniform looked like or what equipment was standard issue. The description of uniforms, mounts, logistics, special units like bands and engineers, is detailed and outstanding, probably among the best to be found. The referencing and bibliography are quite professional if you want to explore further. Minus one star for not including at least a cursory unit roster or table with numbers of each type of troop, division descriptions, description of generals, etc. You have to dig through the text for this kind of stuff, and mostly it isn't there. This book could also use some color plates to show the various troops in uniform (there aren't any in my edition) because black and white doesn't cut it for this time period when the uniforms were quite flashy and colorful. As far as the descriptions of the uniforms and gear, I doubt you will be able to find a better single volume than this one. The coverage is comprehensive: -cavalry and the (usually overlooked) topic of horse remounts -generals and staff -infantry of all kinds (line, light, irregulars, etc.) -logistics -band units -cook units -mercenary and allied troops -disciplinary units -weapons and ammo -recruitment It is definitely worth checking out of your library if you're interested in the above topics. And if you have never read about this area before, it will provide a lot of new and interesting information.
This is a review of the 1988 edition, which I checked out of the library. If you are reading a chronological history of Napoleon, this is a good side volume for looking up information on the units discussed in those kinds of texts, for instance, if you want to know what a grenadier uniform looked like or what equipment was standard issue. The description of uniforms, mounts, logistics, special units like bands and engineers, is detailed and outstanding, probably among the best to be found. The referencing and bibliography are quite professional if you want to explore further. Minus one star for not including at least a cursory unit roster or table with numbers of each type of troop, division descriptions, description of generals, etc. You have to dig through the text for this kind of stuff, and mostly it isn't there. This book could also use some color plates to show the various troops in uniform (there aren't any in my edition) because black and white doesn't cut it for this time period when the uniforms were quite flashy and colorful. As far as the descriptions of the uniforms and gear, I doubt you will be able to find a better single volume than this one. The coverage is comprehensive: -cavalry and the (usually overlooked) topic of horse remounts -generals and staff -infantry of all kinds (line, light, irregulars, etc.) -logistics -band units -cook units -mercenary and allied troops -disciplinary units -weapons and ammo -recruitment It is definitely worth checking out of your library if you're interested in the above topics. And if you have never read about this area before, it will provide a lot of new and interesting information.
keywords
- 1789-1815
- Armâee.
- Armee
- Battles & campaigns
- European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)
- European history – c 1750 to c 1900
- Europe – France
- France
- France.
- Grande Armâee
- Grande Armee
- History
- History, Military
- History – Military / War
- History – Military – General
- History – World
- Military History
- Military – Napoleonic Wars
- Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815
- Regimental histories
- World history
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last update: 3/21/2010
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