ebooks Waterloo by Hilaire Belloc in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Waterloo: A clear explanation...By HMS WarspiteHilaire Belloc was an early 20th Century historian; novelist; and writer of dual English-French nationality. The current volume is a reprint of his very concise 1912 history of the Waterloo campaign of 1815. What makes it useful for the modern student in spite of a few dated details is its wonderfully clear and uncluttered explanation of why the battle and campaign turned out the way they did.Belloc sticks to a strategic perspective on the campaign; tactics are dealt with only to the extent that they bear on the outcome. Remarkably; Belloc deals succinctly with a good many of the still ongoing controversies of Waterloo: Was Wellington surprised by Napoleon's advance into Belgium? What did Napoleon hope to accomplish by attacking against the combined larger strength of the Anglo-Dutch and Prussian armies? Why did a French army corps wander unused between Quatre Bras and Ligny on 16 June? Why did Wellington fail to go to the assistance of his Prussian allies at Ligny? And why did an outnumbered Wellington offer battle at Mount St Jean?This is a no-frills edition. There are no illustrations and only a double handful of very effective sketch maps. It helps to already be familiar with the Napoleonic Wars and the Waterloo Campaign. That said; if all you want is the bottom line; this is your book. Recommended.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Political Nature of WarBy Gil MoreHilaire Belloc; a resident of West Sussex in England; a writer of astonishing variety and at times peerless prose; was himself trained in the French Military. Having lost his beloved wife just prior to the First World War; and then two sons and many dear friends in World Wars I II; he was personally touched by the human cost of war.His comprehension of the political and moral imperatives of warfare; his study of personal general-ship and his detailing of tactical manoeuvres and man-to-man combat; as set forth in his military histories of the great battles of Europe; and as exemplified in WATERLOO; offer the reader a vivid; balanced and sobering assessment of the subject2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great BookBy LowensohnThe ability to understand what the author was conveying to me was great. No big antiquated phrases or words just a narrative that was easy to take in. His descriptions of the armies movements and objectives is very clear. Lastly; the author didn't bog himself down with the inner workings of the participants. He kept the whole battle clear and to the point.