The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon

Description

The era of the Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon has been one of the favourite topics for historians, writers of memoirs and biographies, and for documentary compilations. Some 12 years ago it was estimated that well over 300,000 works existed on this period and since then several thousand more have appeared. Therefore, it might be reasonably argued that there is little room for another volume. Nonetheless, this vast outpouring of literature has usually dealt with major leaders, specific battles or campaigns, and with certain branches of the service. Moreover, at least in English, the literature tends to concentrate primarily on the French or British armies. There appears to be a lack of works combining a description of the major changes and trends in the art of war, especially at the cutting edge of events, with a discussion of the French military establishment and the armies of the major opponents, British as well as continental. And while this book is only a brief survey, I do believe that it may serve as a contribution towards filling this gap in our historical knowledge of military institutions and fighting men. Illustrations Line Drawings Acknowledgments Preface 1 Armies and Warfare during the Last Years of the Ancien Régime 2 The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars: from Valmy to Waterloo 3 The Soldier’s Trade 4 The French Revolutionary Armies and their New Art of War 5 Napoleon’s Armies 6 Opponents of the French 7 Staff Problems, Fortifications and Medical Services 8 Epilogue Appendix I : Selected battles 1792-1815 Appendix II : Selected sieges, assaults, blockades 1792—1815 Select Bibliography Index