Russia Against Napoleon

Russia Against Napoleon
Author: Dominic Lieven
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 952
Release: 2009-10-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 0141947446

'A compulsive page-turner ... a triumph of brilliant storytelling ... an instant classic that is an awesome, remarkable and exuberant achievement' Simon Sebag Montefiore Winner of the Wolfson History Prize and shortlisted for the Duff Cooper Prize In the summer of 1812 Napoleon, the master of Europe, marched into Russia with the largest army ever assembled, confident that he would sweep everything before him. Yet less than two years later his empire lay in ruins, and Russia had triumphed. This is the first history to explore in depth Russia's crucial role in the Napoleonic Wars, re-creating the epic battle between two empires as never before. Dominic Lieven writes with great panache and insight to describe from the Russians' viewpoint how they went from retreat, defeat and the burning of Moscow to becoming the new liberators of Europe; the consequences of which could not have been more important. Ultimately this book shows, memorably and brilliantly, Russia embarking on its strange, central role in Europe's existence, as both threat and protector - a role that continues, in all its complexity, into our own lifetimes.

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia
Author: George Nafziger
Publisher: Presidio Press
Total Pages: 705
Release: 2009-05-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 0307538818

“An impressive source book on the conflict, high on information and data.”—Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research September 7, 1812, is by itself one of the most cataclysmic days in the history of war: 74,000 casualties at the Battle of Borodino. And this was well before the invention of weaspons of mass destruction like machine guns or breech-loading rifles. In this detailed study of one of the most fascinating military campaigns in history, George Nazfiger includes a clear exposition on the power structure in Europe at the time leading up to Napoleon’s fateful decision to attempt what turned out to be impossible: the conquest of Russia. Also featured are complete orders of battle and detailed descriptions of the opposing forces.

Empire

Empire
Author: D. C. B. Lieven
Publisher: Yale University Press
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2002-01-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780300097269

Focusing on the Tsarist and Soviet empires of Russia, Lieven reveals the nature and meaning of all empires throughout history. He examines factors that mold the shape of the empires, including geography and culture, and compares the Russian empires with other imperial states, from ancient China and Rome to the present-day United States. Illustrations.

Napoleon and Russia

Napoleon and Russia
Author: Michael Adams
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 629
Release: 2014-04-09
Genre: History
ISBN: 0826442129

Napoleon and Russia tells, for the first time, the full story of Napoleon and his crucial relationship with Russia, from the 1790s and Bonaparte's rise to power, through the period of Austerlitz, Tilsit and the Russian invasion, to the Emperor's fall and its aftermath. In doing so, it not only puts the critical events of 1812 in their proper context as part of an even greater tale - of peace as well as war, friendship as well as enmity - but also provides fresh insight into the Napoleonic period as a whole, questioning many of the assumptions about the era prevalent in the English-speaking world. The tale boasts a cast of fascinating characters to rival any novel: the rulers, Napoleon himself, Catherine the Great, 'Mad' Tsar Paul and the enigmatic Alexander I; generals such as Ney, Murat, Davout, Suvorov, Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly; statesmen like Talleyrand, Caulaincourt, Czartoryski and Rumiantsev; and, of course, the ordinary soldiers who fought some of the most intriguing, bloody and important campaigns in history. This is an enthralling story of fundamental importance in the history of Europe and, indeed, the world.

Napoleon in Russia

Napoleon in Russia
Author: Alan Warwick Palmer
Publisher: Running PressBook Pub
Total Pages: 318
Release: 2003
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780786712632

"Napoleon is a torrent which as yet we are unable to stem,” said Field-Marshal Prince Mikhail Kutuzov in September 1812, and then he predicted, “Moscow will be the sponge that will suck him dry.” Three months earlier, on June 24, 1812, Napoleon had made his fateful crossing of the Niemen River into Lithuania with an army of 500,000 men, which by December would be depleted by war, the weather, starvation, and disease to a mere 10,000. Sucked dry, indeed. The final six months of 1812 made of Napoleon’s boldest imperial dream his most disastrous military campaign, which historian and biographer Alan Palmer recounts here with narrative immediacy, colorful detail, analytic skill, and striking insight. He follows the French forces in their long, dusty haul from Vilna to Vitebsk to Viasma; from the frightful slaughter at Borodino to Moscow’s deserted, burning streets—and then the horrors of the grueling winter retreat. But Palmer also looks beyond the savagery of blizzards and battles to bring to his vast canvas an overall picture of a campaign that tragically cost Napoleon nearly half a million men and shaped the greatest catastrophe of his career. Illustrations and maps are included.

The Battle of Borodino

The Battle of Borodino
Author: Alexander Mikaberidze
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Total Pages: 568
Release: 2007-11-12
Genre: History
ISBN: 1848849702

On 7 September 1812 at Borodino, 75 miles west of Moscow, the armies of the Russian and French empires clashed in one of the climactic battles of the Napoleonic Wars. This horrific - and controversial - contest has fascinated historians ever since. The survival of the Russian army after Borodino was a key factor in Napoleon's eventual defeat and the utter destruction of the French army of 1812. In this thought-provoking new study, Napoleonic historian Alexander Mikaberidze reconsiders the 1812 campaign and retells the terrible story of the Borodino battle as it was seen from the Russian point of view. His original and painstakingly researched investigation of this critical episode in Napoleon's invasion of Russia provides the reader with a fresh perspective on the battle and a broader understanding of the underlying reasons for the eventual Russian triumph. This book as just receive second prize by the Literary Committee of the International Napoleonic Society. A total of twelve distinguished works were carefully evaluated and Dr. Mikaberidze’s volume has met the rigorous criteria established by the Committee. The quality of the publication, especially in the area of research, originality, style and analysis, represents a significant contribution to Napoleonic Studies.

1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March on Moscow

1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March on Moscow
Author: Adam Zamoyski
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Total Pages: 677
Release: 2012-11-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 0007381069

Adam Zamoyski’s bestselling account of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and his catastrophic retreat from Moscow, events that had a profound effect on European history.

The Burning of Moscow

The Burning of Moscow
Author: Alexander Mikaberidze
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2014-02-11
Genre: History
ISBN: 147383449X

As soon as Napoleon and his Grand Army entered Moscow, on 14 September 1812, the capital erupted in flames that eventually engulfed and destroyed two thirds of the city. The fiery devastation had a profound effect on the Grand Army, but for thirty-five days Napoleon stayed, making increasingly desperate efforts to achieve peace with Russia. Then, in October, almost surrounded by the Russians and with winter fast approaching, he abandoned the capital and embarked on the long, bitter retreat that destroyed his army. The month-long stay in Moscow was a pivotal moment in the war of 1812 the moment when the initiative swung towards the Tsar's armies and spelled doom for the invading Grand Army yet it has rarely been studied in the same depth as the other key events of the campaign.Alexander Mikaberidze, in this third volume of his in-depth reassessment of the war between the French and Russian empires, emphasizes the importance of the Moscow fire and shows how Russian intransigence sealed the fate of the French army. He uses a vast array of French, German, Polish and Russian memoirs, letters and diaries as well as archival material in order to tell the dramatic story of the Moscow fire. Not only does he provide a comprehensive account of events, looking at them from both the French and Russian points of view, but he explores the Russians' motives for leaving, then burning their capital. Using extensive eyewitness accounts, he paints a vivid picture of the harsh reality of life in the remains of the occupied city and describes military operations around Moscow at this turning point in the campaign.

The Russian Officer Corps of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

The Russian Officer Corps of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
Author: Alexander Mikaberidze
Publisher: Savas Beatie
Total Pages: 549
Release: 2005-01-19
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 161121002X

The Russian Officer Corps of The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, 1795–1815 features more than 800 detailed biographies of the commanders of that era. Foreword by Professor Donald H. Horward, Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution, Florida State University Based upon years of research in Russian archives, historian Alexander Mikaberidze’s biographies include the subject’s place of birth, family history, educational background, a detailed description of his military service, his awards and promotions, wounds, transfers, commands, and other related information, including the date and place of his death and internment, if known. In addition, an introductory chapter presents in meticulous detail the organization of the Russian military, how it was trained, the educational and cultural background of the officer corps, its awards and their history and meaning, and much more. This outstanding overview is supported and enhanced by three dozen charts, tables, and graphics that illustrate the rich history of the Russian officer corps. This study also includes an annotated bibliography to help guide students of the period through the available Russian sources. Stunning in its scope and depth of coverage, The Russian Officer Corps is essential reading for historians, scholars, genealogists, hobbyists, war gamers, and anyone working or studying late eighteenth and early nineteenth-century European history. Every student of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, as well as every academic library, will find this impressive reference work of this momentous period of history absolutely indispensable.

In the Service of the Tsar Against Napoleon

In the Service of the Tsar Against Napoleon
Author: Denis Davydov
Publisher:
Total Pages: 234
Release: 1999
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN:

The only available Russian Napoleonic memoir conveying the victor's perspective on a cataclysmic conflict.