Author Andrew Field concludes his study of the French Army during the Waterloo Campaign with his fourth volume, "Waterloo: Route and Retreat". This last book in the series relies heavily on first person accounts by participants that give the narrative an element of emotion and immediacy not always found in campaign histories. As the focus is on the French Army, there is no more coverage of the Armies commanded by the Duke of Wellington and Field Marshal Blucher than are absolutely necessary to advance the narrative.
The author follows Napoleon's Army all the way from Waterloo to its disbandment only weeks later, after the surrender of the interim government in Paris. This reviewer found a number of items of exceptional interest in the narrative. First, Napoleon's Army Du Nord is shown to have collapsed completely in the closing moments of the Battle of Waterloo. The survivors of the ensuing rout made their own ways back into France. Second, some order and discipline was eventually restored, thanks in significant part to Marshal Grouchy's successful retrograde from the battlefield at Wavre with his portion of the army. Third, an interim government in Paris had surprisingly little stomach for an active defense of Paris.
This book is an excellent piece of historical research. The narrative is inherently less heroic than earlier books in the series, but does clarify what happened after the Imperial Guard was defeated in its final assault on Mont St. Jean. This reviewer wishes this book had included better maps and some illustrations. It is however highly recommended to students of the campaign.
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Top reviews from other countries
Plons
Bij deze verkoper komen extra kosten, inklaringskosten.
Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 12, 2022Robin de Wilde
The Death Throes of a once great Army.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2018
Frank Herberger-Frevert
Gute Beschreibung der Geschehnisse nach der Schlacht von Waterloo
Reviewed in Germany on January 8, 2018c cameron clarke
Battle of Waterloo , as seem for the French side
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2018