#17939022 in Books 1999 #File Name: B000K05AXW
Review
20 of 25 people found the following review helpful. I'm no expert; but...By SadlerI'm not an expert on the history of this period; but I do find it fascinating. That's why I bought this book. The writing style is fast-moving and entertaining. The book does provide an interesting look at the complex reasons behind the fall of Napoleon. For example; I didn't know previously about the attempts to assasinate Napoleon. I also enjoyed the drawings and maps. This was a "fun read."3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. SUPERB EVOCATION OF NAPOLEON'S LAST DAYSBy JohntarttelinI have just finished reading this superb book for the second time. Its sweep is majestic; its coverage exceptionally thorough and the painstaking care the author took with his research is obvious from the plethora of minute and revealing details that flow from his pen like droplets from the very well of knowledge itself. As a fellow academic historian I am exceptionally impressed.Take no notice of the fatuous bile spouted in the pathetic mini-reviews of some of those other benighted contributors to this page.This book reads like a novel and the dark secrets that haunted the British Cabinets of Pitt and Liverpool see the light of day for the first time. What perfidy was committed in the name of the British nation; what lies were spread; what calumnies directed against the Emperor; what mean-minded; disgusting machinations were perpetrated by Castlereagh at the Congress of Vienna as he went AWOL and made up his own policy as he went along - in the end he had to be recalled.Subsequently because of a scandal involving homosexuality; he cut his own throat. It was the best thing he ever did for his country - his policy nearly led to the death of thousands. He betrayed the Prussians so blatantly that it almost led to war. The irony is that had Napoleon not returned from Elba; the fractious Allies would soon have been fighting themselves. They compounded their mutual treacheries by outlawing Napoleon as if he were a common criminal - a tactic that Wellington; Castlereagh's replacement; later had the grace to acknowledge had been a mistake.In the end; the nations where no one but the rich 'voted' for anything; that crushed their own people underfoot; where the peasants had very few rights and were often treated as chattels; said in 1815 that Napoleon - who had three times been confirmed as Emperor of the French in plebiscites - was a threat to the peace of Europe! The fact he offered peace to all the Allies after being welcomed deliriously back to France by an overjoyed populace; and that all his friendly overtures were rejected - often unopened; seems to have escaped many historians over the past two centuries.This is an eye-opening; seminal book I would recommend to anyone who really wants to see what actually happened during the twilight of Napoleonic France. The British nation lies shamed by Pitt and Liverpools' sponsoring of the assassination attempts on Napoleon's life by the evil Chevalier de la Foi of that noisome individual the Comte d'Artois. As if the French population would ever have supported a Bourbon restoration in a million years if Wellington had not imposed the 310lb 'ruler' Louis XVIII on the French nation. Britannia; go and hide your head in shame; for what mischief was done in thy name!0 of 5 people found the following review helpful. How IronicBy David WesterIt's ironic that an era so exciting has inspirered so many dull books written with painstaking accuracy; and finally when an author comes along who can make Napoleon's times come to life he seems to be a fraud and a liar. As with Mr. Williams other book on Waterloo; this one has enough truth in it to pass as history; while written with an ease that keeps you turnning the page. I suggest you read it; you will enjoy it. And then if you are so inclined; wade through the detail of the more authentic works and set yourself straight on the finer details.
