5 best books on...
ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST IMPORTANT BATTLEFIELDS HAS BEEN WIDELY WRITTEN ABOUT, AND FROM DIFFERENT NATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
The Battle of Waterloo
Waterloo: Myth And Reality (Barnsley: Pen & sword Military, 2014) Gareth Glover
Many books were released for the bicentennial of Waterloo, but few were as clearly written and as challenging as Glover’s monograph. Highlighting many myths about the battle, the author provides convincing evidence to support his version of the events. Four years after its release, this work remains an essential resource not only for readers who are unfamiliar with the Battle of Waterloo but also for those who are already acquainted with the downfall of Napoleon.
Waterloo: The Campaign Of 1815: Volume I and Volume II John Hussey
This two-volume work provides a detailed analysis of the Hundred Days based on sources in four languages. Going into the minds of the commanders and providing several maps, Hussey offers a meticulous account of one of the most important campaigns in history. It also offers a political dimension and explains how political considerations affected military operations. This authoritative work is simply one of the best accounts of the Waterloo campaign.
Napoleon, France And Waterloo: The Eagle Rejected Charles Esdaile
The Waterloo campaign is almost always analysed from a military viewpoint. Interestingly, Charles Esdaile looks at the story from the perspective of the French home front – an aspect neglected by most English-speaking historians. Drawing on archives, diaries and memoirs, his book is a refreshing addition on how 18 June 1815 could have turned out differently. The author examines whether a French victory at Waterloo would have changed the course of history. This counterfactual exercise is useful to understand how motivated and prepared the French were in 1815.
Waterloo: The French perspective Andrew Field
In the English-speaking world, the story of the Napoleonic Wars is often told from a British perspective. Exploring in a methodical manner the Hundred Days, starting with Napoleon’s return from Elba, Field relies on more than 90 French accounts. This book sheds light on important issues, such as the Prussian intervention and the Old Guard’s attack. This monograph is an essential read for those who want to look beyond Britishcentric histories of the battle.
Waterloo Les Mensonges: Les Manipulations De L’histoire Enfin Révélées Bernard Coppens
As can be expected, several books on the Battle of Waterloo are released every year in the French-speaking world. While most offer rehearsed arguments, Coppens’s Waterloo Les Mensonges stands out. In this monograph, the Belgian historian challenges several myths and tales fabricated after the battle. He demonstrates convincingly that Napoleon was careless when planning his strategy and failed to consider a Prussian intervention. Coppens also highlights how the French emperor managed to rewrite the battle while in captivity. Nearly ten years after its release, this book remains a mustread for those who understand French.
“A METICULOUS ACCOUNT OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CAMPAIGNS IN HISTORY”