ebooks The Final Act: The Roads to Waterloo by George Dallas in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting events but much wasted narrativeBy HistoryShowsUsI enjoyed the narrative that was detailed here showing the interactions between the representatives of the major powers as to the disposition of territory in shaping Europe. This concept of something called Europe was almost unknown until this time and how they got to this point was fascinating. It was also a real eye opener on the brutal diplomacy of these representatives and the incredible amount of power they had to be able to dictate what countries could be shaped and what countries could be literally cut up into pieces that essentially made them cease to exist.What took away from the narrative was the constant attention paid to the extra marital relationships that a few of the diplomats had on the side with what were mostly high ranking females that were nothing more than spectators who used this event as an excuse to have big parties.Because these ladies wielded a lot of influences I waited for much of the book to see what actual role they played in shaping policy only to find that it was not revealed that it ever happened. Yes some policy was agrred (and disagreed) on based on negotiations that were conducted in the after hours party time but the affairs of the diplomats that occurred with the ladies had little to do with the story. Especially wasted was the first section of the book and the lengthy narrative of what was happening with the royal family in England that ended up having no real effect on the Congress of Vienna. Tho interesting the number of people involved eventually made the first portion of the book tedious and confusing.This would have been a much more enjoyable read if less attention had been paid to events and relationships that had little to do with the actual Congress.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Excellent summary of events leading to Napoleon's fallBy Charles ReillyDallas' version of the events leading to the fall of Napoleon; particularly the Congress of Vienna; are presented in detail here with remarkable clarity. Also; his accounts of the British Parliment's opposition to Wellington's and Castlereagh's policies are given new light. Samuel Whitbread's fall from grace is both startling and revelatory and precedes Castlereagh's own horrible end. The cunning and ruthless Talleyrand and his ally; Fouche; are always lurking in the shadows; switching from one side to the other depending on the circumstances. According to Dallas' "Final Act"; it's a wonder that Napoleon could function at all with this cast of characters swirling over his head like vultures. An excellent work for anyone interested in Napoleon's final one-hundred days.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Must-read for Anyone Interested in 1810s EuropeBy A CustomerCongress of Vienna is always obscured by the Battle of Waterloo; probably the most overrated of all events in world's history. The diplomatic conference held in Austrian capital few months earlier; although less spectacular than Napoleon's last battle; had more lasting impact on the future of Europe. While political and diplomatic intrigues might not arouse readers' imagination with same intensity as the drama that unfolded in Belgian battlefields; book by Gregor Dallas actually turns out to be not only very informative but also a very exciting and entertaining read. Mr. Dallas approaches this subject by putting the Congress in the broader context of early 19th Century Europe and treating the conference as nothing more than a chapter in the story that began with Napoleon's abdication in Spring of 1814. Diplomatic drama that occurred in Vienna is accompanied with short biographies of all major participants; as well as numerous vignettes; anecdotes and accounts of economic; social and political conditions in major European capitals. The well-known protagonists of these events - Alexander; Metternich; Castlereagh; Talleyrand and Napoleon - are portrayed with great deal of detail; but even the minor or less known characters receive the same treatment. Love life of European elite is given the same attention as the diplomatic intrigues; and in many ways reader; as well as the characters; can't make a clear distinction between the two. In segments that deal with British internal politics reader might even find some interesting parallels with most recent events in Britain; thus making this book much closer to the modern audience than its subject might indicate. Because of all that; this book is not only very informative; but also very entertaining and exciting. However; at times a reader might get impression that British politics and British personalities receive too much attention at the expense of rest of Europe. I was also somewhat disappointed when I didn't find the actual text of the treaty. However; despite those minor flaws this book is a must-read for anyone interested in early 19th Century Europe or foundations of modern diplomacy.